Latest news with #VEday
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Yes, Monty Python lampooned it and it smells like cheap cat food... but Mrs T loved it and even my son's a fan! No wonder Spam is back on the menu: TOM PARKER BOWLES
Well, I've heard it all now. Spam, that tinned, meaty monolith is, according to Waitrose, officially back in vogue. Sales have soared 48 per cent compared to this time last year, much of it down to the 80th VE Day anniversary. 'We're seeing customers connect with the past,' mused Waitrose archivist Imogen Livesley, 'by turning to the comforting familiarity of foods popular in wartime Britain.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William and Kate Middleton Just Gave Prince George What Could be His "Only Opportunity" for Important Kingship Lesson
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Unlike royal generations of the past, Prince George has been raised in relative privacy—but as he gets older, the future King will be introduced to more aspects of royal life. While George and his younger siblings Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, took part in the VE Day 80th anniversary parade and balcony appearance on May 5, Prince William and Kate Middleton surprised the public by bringing their 11-year-old son for a special solo outing later in the day. According to one royal expert, it gave George the rare chance to encounter history up close and personal—something that will benefit him one day when he becomes King. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that bringing George to the event was a major step in his journey to the throne. "I love seeing him at football matches when he can let his hair down," she said. "But at big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role." Bond continued that last week's event—which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe—"may be the only opportunity George will ever have of speaking to men and women who served their King and country during the war." "It's a lesson that will serve him well in the future," she continued. "One day he will be Chief of the Armed Forces himself, and he may well look back at some of those conversations and be glad that he had the chance to meet some of the few remaining veterans." Sources close to Prince William recently shared that he puts a strong emphasis on making royal life seem less daunting to his children, and that was evident during the special tea party. "It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind," Bond said. "That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son." The VE Day commemorations on May 5 marked a rare public appearance for George, who will turn 12 in July. Other than a few Aston Villa outings with his dad, the prince was last seen with the Royal Family during their traditional Christmas Day walk to church. Bond explained that "by including the children in occasions like [VE Day], as well as issuing lovely informal photographs and videos of them at regular intervals, the family remains visible and in touch, whilst maintaining some elements of privacy when they are off duty." However, royal fans won't have to wait until George, Charlotte and Louis are back on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The Royal Family will celebrate The King's annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, on Saturday, June 14.
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Second World War bomber returns home for 80th anniversary
A Second World War bomber has returned to its birthplace 80 years after it was built. The Avro Lancaster performed flypasts over Broughton, North Wales, alongside Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters before landing at the Airbus wing building factory on Friday evening. The aircraft was built in May 1945 during the Broughton site's early years as a shadow factory for manufacturing bombers. The Lancaster PA474, which is owned and operated by the RAF's Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, was the star of the recent VE Day celebrations, leading the ceremonial flypast over London. The Officer Commanding the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Squadron Leader Mark Sugden, said: 'Our flying season so far this year has been memorable with the VE Day celebrations, but this is one of the highlights of the year in a visit that takes our incredible aircraft back to her birthplace.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Historic Norwegian ship to visit to Newcastle's River Tyne
The visit of a historic Norwegian cargo ship to the River Tyne has a special significance for one local S/S Hestmanden, which served as a convoy vessel during World War Two, will be berthed in Newcastle until Thursday as part of a UK tour marking the 80th anniversary of VE Chris Flanighan, its arrival is a poignant reminder of his grandfather, Karluf Thorsen, who fled Nazi-occupied Norway and served throughout the war in the merchant navy. He said: "This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". Built in 1911, S/S Hestmanden played a vital role in transporting medicine, food, fuel, ammunition, and weapons during the also formed part of a covert flotilla of fishing boats used to smuggle soldiers, agents and freedom fighters between Norway and Shetland, and on return trips helped to evacuate refugees and Allied a national treasure in Norway, it serves as a floating war sailors' museum, preserving the legacy of those who kept the supply lines open. Mr Flanighan, from Wallsend, North Tyneside, has spent years uncovering the legacy of his grandfather."He left Norway around the age of 17 or 18 and didn't return home until he was 22," he said."Germany had occupied Norway, and he was part of the convoys supplying the Allied effort from Britain."This ship symbolises the life he lived, and the risks he took". 'Coming home' In a tribute to his grandfather's legacy, Mr Flanighan has been invited to join the Maritime Volunteer Service on one of their vessels as part of a ceremonial escort up the river."When I heard the ship was coming to Newcastle - the last stop on her UK tour - I was over the moon," he said."It's not just a ship visit. For me and my family, it's like she's coming home." During the visit, people have a chance to go on board the floating museum until Wednesday and explore its interactive will also be events including a wreath-laying ceremony at Norwegian war graves in Stephen C. Healy of Trinity House, Newcastle, said: "This historic visit reaffirms the deep maritime bonds between Norway and the north-east of England. "It is a tremendous privilege to help honour the legacy of the war sailors." Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Myleene Klass puts on a leggy display in skimpy leopard-print shorts as she arrives at Smooth Radio
Myleene Klass set pulses racing as she arrived at Smooth Radio Studios in London on Friday. The TV personality, 47, looked incredible in a pair of skimpy leopard-print shorts that showcased her toned legs. She wore sheer black tights and paired the shorts with a black vest top and a smart blazer. Posing up a storm for the cameras, Myleene further accessorised her look with a layer of gold necklaces, a black baseball cap, and a pair of trendy oversized shades. To complete her look, she sported a pair of black ankle boots and toted her essentials in a black Chanel handbag as she made her way into the studio. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Earlier this month, Myleene led the stars celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day as she hosted a tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Joined in her hosting duties by Katherine Jenkins and Dan Walker, she pulled out all the stops on the night in an eye-catching red gown. The singer certainly brought the glamour as she displayed her toned frame in the thigh-high split dress, which was adorned with a huge bow detailing. The event, sponsored by the Daily Mail, featured a show-stopping performance from mezzo-soprano Katherine and dancing from Strictly Come Dancing stars. The show also included first-hand recollections from military veterans and those who lived through the conflict. Former pop star Myleene, whose father served in the Merchant Navy, said it was 'both humbling and an honour' to be involved. She said: 'With it (VE Day) being 80 years now, and as our serving personnel from that time reach an age many never thought they'd see, it's essential we keep their sacrifices and memory alive.' Her co-host, former BBC Breakfast star Dan, told the Mail he considered it 'a real privilege' to be 'standing on that stage introducing some amazing people'. 'Those values of freedom and democracy matter today.' Marking the anniversary, King Charles also used a keynote speech to call for greater efforts towards global peace. With conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East and across the African continent, His Majesty suggested it was time to remind ourselves of the words of our great wartime leader, Sir Winston Churchill, who said: 'Meeting jaw to jaw is better than war.' 'In so doing, we should also rededicate ourselves not only to the cause of freedom but to renewing global commitments to restoring a just peace where there is war, to diplomacy, and to the prevention of conflict,' he said. 'For as my grandfather [King George VI, who was monarch during the Second World War] put it: "We shall have failed, and the blood of our dearest will have flowed in vain, if the victory which they died to win does not lead to a lasting peace, founded on justice and established in good will." 'Just as those exceptional men and women fulfilled their duty to each other, to humankind, and to God, bound by an unshakeable commitment to nation and service, in turn, it falls to us to protect and continue their precious legacy – so that one day hence generations yet unborn may say of us: "they too bequeathed a better world".'
