3million

A MUCH-LOVED playground is set to reopen TOMORROW after a multi-million refurb.

Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens in London, will reopen on August 5 with a new 17metre by 12metre Galleon on a sandy beach.

The Galleon also has two crow’s nests to climb, a large tunnel slide and a play telescope.

Inside the ship, there is a kitchen and lots of nooks and crannies ideal for a game of hide and seek.

Other parts of the £3million playground upgrade include a “treehouse of dreams”, which has three different climbing towers and a four metre tunnel slide.

The free-to-visit park also now has an accessible walkway, talk tubes, musical instruments and games such as tic-tac-toe.

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Ideal for the hot and sunny weather, there’s a new waterplay area as well with a crocodile sculpture.

Little kids aren’t left out either, as there is an area with timber houses, play ships and a large sandpit for toddlers.

Andy Williams, Park Manager for Kensington Gardens said: “We know that children across London, the UK and the world have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of this playground, and we can’t wait to see their reactions when they visit. We know they will absolutely love it.

“This playground has been thoughtfully designed so that children of all abilities and interests can find something that appeals to them.

“Children can once again splash, swing, climb and hide in this almost two-acre playground set amongst sub-tropical planting.”

He added: “This incredibly popular playground has a capacity of 450 people and with UK schools now on summer break, we are expecting more people to visit than usual.

“Therefore, there may be lengthy queues across the week, but especially at weekends.”

LAS VEGAS — The Lakers signed free-agent forward Ziaire Williams to a one-year, $3-million deal on Monday, people not authorized to speak on the matter publicly confirmed to The Times.

Williams, 24, was available after the Brooklyn Nets declined his team option of $6.25 million, making him an unrestricted free agent.

The 6-foot-9 Williams gives the Lakers an athletic wing player. He averaged a career-high 10.2 points last season in 56 games, 13 as a starter.

He shot 42.5% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.

NBA scouts who requested anonymity to speak candidly on the matter said Williams is athletic but hasn’t figure out his game yet. He’s seen as an inconsistent three-point shooter.

Williams, who attended Sierra Canyon High with Bronny James and Stanford, gives the Lakers a maximum 15 roster players.

GRACEFULLY stepping on to the red-carpeted gangplank, I turn and wave to the crowd.

Well, I say crowd. It’s a coach party from Aberdeen, who, like me, have come to snoop around our late Queen’s favourite floating home.

The Royal Yacht Britannia, docked in Edinburgh’s port of Leith for the past 28 years, has been named the World’s Best Attraction at Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards 2026.

An accolade that Queen Elizabeth II would surely have approved of, in what would have been her 100th year.

It’s a 25-minute tram ride from Princes Street, where I’m staying at The Rutland Hotel — with super castle views.

The yacht features in season two of TV hit The Crown and is a huge draw for tourists.

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Built in 1953 in Clydebank, Glasgow, Britannia sailed more than a million nautical miles during her 44-year reign over the waves and accompanied the Royal Family on 968 state visits to 135 countries.

Her new £3million visitor centre leads with a photo-heavy exhibition about the ship’s history, including an interesting Day In The Life Of Queen Elizabeth II.

An excellent audio tour then guides me through the five decks on board.

On the bridge, I sit in the captain’s chair overlooking a rather grey Firth of Forth and imagine the sights seen from here over the years, such as the Sydney Opera House and Hong Kong skyline.

But the Queen simply adored sailing around the Hebrides on her annual royal holiday, which she described as “the one place I can truly relax”.

Walking the scrubbed teak decks, I get a glimpse of royal life on board this floating palace.

There’s Her Majesty’s office, where she would work each day, and the Sun Room — a teak-panelled lounge with bar and rum tub said to have been the Queen’s favourite spot on the ship.

It overlooks the Veranda Deck, where Prince Philip would set up his easel to paint.

I can picture myself playing quoits with Princess Anne or enjoying a Dubonnet and a game of whist with Princess Margaret.

On board, it’s like time has stood still.

Not least because every clock is set at 3.01pm, when the Queen and Prince Philip disembarked for the final time on December 11, 1997.

Echoing the plush decor found in other royal homes, the State Drawing Room is the family room. In the corner is a Welmar baby grand piano — bolted to the floor to withstand the waves — which was played over the years by guests including playwright Noel Coward and Princess Diana.

The Vestibule Deck has the State Apartments — including the somewhat modest adjoining cabins of the Queen and Prince Philip, with single beds.

Only one suite has a double bed — installed on request by Prince Charles for his first honeymoon.

Like Princess Margaret, I’m also partial to a pre-lunch sharpener.

The Royal Deck Tearoom serves her favourite Dubonnet cocktail (£16), as well as Moet by the glass or bottle (£15/£78), and a great coronation chicken sandwich (£10).

But the State Dining Room — rarely open to us commoners — is where VIP guests, such as Sir Winston Churchill, would dine with the Royal Family.

Below deck, I wind through the galley, laundry and medical room — with operating theatre — to discover how the 220-strong crew ran the ship like clockwork.

In the gift shop, you can get everything from a stuffed corgi (£25) to a Launer handbag (£2,850), a favourite of Her Maj.

As the State Apartments are not yet on Airbnb, you can enjoy a similar experience nearby at The Fingal, a former lighthouse tender turned luxury floating hotel.