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This town in North Wales has been a popular holiday destination for centuries, with its stunning beaches, historic pier and beautiful landscapes drawing in visitors

This North Wales town boasts a lengthy history of attracting holidaymakers from all corners of Britain, having earned the prestigious nickname “Queen of the Welsh Watering Places”.

The Victorian coastal treasure of Llandudno, with its colourful past, is believed to trace its roots back to the Bronze Age. These distinctive features attract tourists eager to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Conwy Valley and discover the region’s fascinating heritage.

Indeed, Llandudno has previously been hailed as amongst the safest locations to live in Britain, with approximately 19,700 fortunate inhabitants. What’s more, it’s considerably more affordable to explore and stay in compared to most rival seaside destinations.

Two principal beaches extend along the coastline – North Shore Beach and West Shore Beach. The northern stretch features a lengthy promenade typical of any British coastal resort.

However, what distinguishes it from others is its palm tree-lined walkway – reminiscent of a Mediterranean haven. Nestled peacefully beyond North Shore Beach lies the Great Orme clifftop, providing an excursion on the Great Orme Tramway, transporting visitors to elevated vantage points via cable cars.

One delighted tourist commented: “The cable car ride was amazing; for the length of the journey, £14 per return (this was the price in 2024) is pretty reasonable. The views are stunning, and you can see for miles on a really clear day, which we had.”

On the West Shore, nestled on the other side of the town, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Snowdonian mountainside. A TripAdvisor review gushes: “One of my favourite beaches anywhere: unspoilt, dog-friendly, free of kiosks and vendors – just sea, rock and sand. Stunning views of the Great Orme. Lots of parking.”

The charming town of Llandudno boasts a rich history that stretches from the Stone Age through to the Iron Age, with numerous settlements over the years on the slopes of the limestone headland, better known as the Great Orme. The headland is a popular attraction for visitors from near and far, offering a four-hour trek filled with breathtaking views.

The Victorian promenade, affectionately known as The Parade, and the iconic pier are two of the town’s most beloved landmarks, both dating back to 1877. After extensive restorations, the pier has earned the title of one of the best in the whole of the UK.

One visitor shared their experience of the pier, saying: “Excellent pier experience. A Punch and Judy, plenty of arcades, hair braiding/colouring, a good walk, fun stalls and a cafe with a wonderful lady singer belting out Amy Winehouse numbers. There’s even a little display of historical photos to show when the pier was used for the ferries. Well worth a visit.”

WHEN it comes to the Cotswolds, everyone heads to the same towns of Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

But an alternative town often overlooked is Winchombe – and it’s hiding a huge royal secret.

Found near Cheltenham, the town is called the “hidden jewel in the Cotswold crown,” by the tourist board.

It is a popular visit for walkers due to its location on seven famous footpaths.

This includes the Cotswold Way and Gloucestershire Way, as well as Windrush Way and Kenelm’s Trail.

It now even holds a walking festival every May in celebration.

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There is the free-to-visit Winchombe Museum which talks of the town’s history dating back billions of years.

Otherwise you can also visit St Peter’s Church which dates back to the 1400s.

Just outside the town in the parish of Sudeley is Sudeley Castle.

As well as its beautiful 10 gardens set across the 1,200 acre estate, it has been owned by a number of kings over the years including King Edward IV and King Richard II.

King Henry VIII also visited with his then wife Anne Boleyn – and also made it the resting place of Queen Katherine Parr after her death.

This makes it the world’s only privately owned castle to have a queen buried onsite.

Sadly the town no longer has a functioning train station with scheduled passenger trains.

It did have its own back in 1906 which was on the line of Cheltenham to Birmingham.

Sadly it closed in 1960 and was dismantled in the 1980s.

However, it as since been partially restored for heritage trains such as themed trips and Christmas events.

Kids will love the Royal Mail model railway there too which has a Thomas & Friends train track as well as a small cafe.

You aren’t short of pubs in town either if you want a pint and a burger, from The Royal Oak to The Pheasant Inn.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, options include The Lion Inn and White Hart Inn as well.

For something more fun, on the outskirts is The Lodge at Winchcombe, a beautiful country house with en-suite bedrooms.

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Trains to Winchcombe take around 1hr30 from London, followed by a 30 minute drive from Honeybourne.

Here is another Cotswolds town that is loved by locals.

Oct. 17 (UPI) — King Charles III plans to visit Pope Leo XIV next week in the Vatican as the first reigning English monarch since 1534 to pray in a service with the pontiff.

Charles, along with his wife, Queen Camilla, will visit the Vatican on Wednesday and Thursday. They will appear with the pope during a service on Thursday at the Sistine Chapel, where a special seat has been created for Charles.

The chapel was dedicated on Aug. 15, 1483. Michelangelo painted the ceiling from 1508 to 1512.

Henry VIII split from the Vatican 22 years later.

Buckingham Palace on Sept. 26 announced the state visit to the Holy See for late October in the church’s 25th Jubilee Year to “celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee year’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.'”

The royal couple had a private meeting with Pope Francis on April 9 in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary. It took place at Casa Santa Marta hospital in Rome, 12 days before he died.

In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch since the Reformation to visit the Holy See. Queen Elizabeth died on Sept. 8, 2022, and Charles became king.

“It marks a historic moment in the journey of reconciliation between our Churches,” Archbishop Flavio Pace said in a Vatican press briefing Friday. “It celebrates how far we’ve come — and offers hope for the future.”

This gathering will bring together members of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which the king is the supreme governor.

“This will be the first state visit, since the Reformation, where the pope and the monarch will pray together in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, and the first time the monarch will have attended a service in St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, a church with an historic connection to the English crown,” a Buckingham spokesman told the Guardian.

They also will visit the adjacent Benedictine Abbey. This church, which contains the tomb of St. Paul, had been associated with the English monarchy dating to medieval and Anglo-Saxon rulers who helped with the upkeep.

King Charles will also be honored with the title of Royal Confrater, “recognizing the long-standing ties between the British Crown and the Benedictine abbey attached to the basilica,” Vatican News said.

During the service with the pope, there will be a hymn by Saint Ambrose of Milan sung in an English translation by Saint John Henry Newman, who was canonized in 2019. King Charles attended that event.

Music will be provided by the Sistine Chapel Choir, alongside choristers from the Chapel Royal at St. James’ Palace and the Choir of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The king and queen will also meet Vatican officials.

The Vatican said the “two central themes of the Royal visit are Christian unity and care for the planet.”

The Roman Catholic Church has approximately 1.4 billion members with 20.4% in Europe, including 6.2 million baptized Roman Catholics in England and Wales, and 676,000 in Scotland.

The Church of England is the largest Christian denomination in Britain with 13.3 million followers. The church originated in the break from the Vatican and features Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.

BRITAIN’S smallest castle, a charming 19th century Gothic turret in the heart of Hertfordshire, has gone up for sale.

The Gazebo Tower is a glorious Grade II listed landmark which dates back to 1833 and is packed with royal-looking features inside its 645sqft of living space.

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Described as a “local icon”, this three-storey tower in Ross-on-Wye looks out over the River Wye and the Hertfordshire countryside.

Inside, each of its circular rooms – roughly 16ft across – has been transformed into a kitchen, a bedroom and a living room.

It also comes with a picturesque roof-top terrace, described as offering 360-degree views of the Black Mountains of Southeast Wales, the spire of Saint Mary’s Church, Chase Wood and Ross-on-Wye’s vibrant architecture.

It’s currently available to buy for £330,000.

Estate agents Hamilton Stiller described it “an opportunity to own a landmark and one of Ross-on-Wye’s most striking features.”

One of the most whimsical touches to the property is how the double bed hides a bath underneath – making the most of the space.

The top floor also includes an en-suite wet room and a spiral staircase leading to a battery-operated roof hatch.

Athletes from the Ross Rowing Club can even often be seen sailing down the River Wye from the windows.

The quintessential market town of Ledbury is only 13 miles away, while trains to London Paddington take two hours.

This tower, once owned by Herefordshire Council, was sold in 2001 when its only floor was accessible by ladder.

Tony Billingham, who won the bid by post, lovingly restored the tower into a cozy, functional home and later opened it to visitors, donating proceeds to local charities.

This isn’t the only house that has caught widespread attention recently.

A seemingly ordinary home has gone up for sale at £400,000, but there’s one very unexpected twist that’s caught people’s attention.

Photos of the property reveal that one of its two bathrooms has been transformed into a home office – giving workers the chance to “do their business” without ever leaving the room.

A three-bedroom home in Walton, Chesterfield, has hit the market for £150,000, appearing perfectly normal from the street – but step inside, and things take a decidedly unexpected turn.

Baffled house hunters have branded the interior “bonkers”, with photos revealing a quirky layout and eccentric design choices that are anything but ordinary.

A charming seaside property with a fascinating backstory has caught the attention of locals and house hunters alike.

Listed for £235,000 in February, the home was purchased by a couple in July after making several visits over the summer.

Nicknamed “the Dolls House” by locals, the petite property is cleverly built in an alleyway between two neighbouring homes and offers breathtaking views of the coast.

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The lead of the horror-tinged heart-tugger “Good Boy” is a copper-colored retriever named Indy who pads around an eerie house deep in the New Jersey woods investigating its mysterious creaks, shadows and smells. Like the Method-style actors of “The Blair Witch Project,” he goes by his real name onscreen. An ordinary dog without a whiff of Hollywood hokum, Indy doesn’t do implausible stunts like Lassie or Rin Tin Tin or comprehend anything that his owner, Todd (Shane Jensen), says besides simple phrases: sit, stay and, gratefully, the title itself. But we’re invested in the mindset of this mundane hero. His nose twitches are as dramatic as an ingenue’s gasp.

First-time feature director Ben Leonberg raised Indy as a pet first, movie star second. Along with his wife, Kari Fischer, who produced the film, Leonberg shot “Good Boy” in his weekend house, staging scenarios for Indy to explore until he had enough material for a (barely) full-length spook show. Even at 72 minutes, “Good Boy” is belabored in the middle stretch. It would make a fabulous one-hour TV special.

Using his personal footage, Leonberg (who also edited the film and did its gorgeous, inky-wet cinematography) opens with a montage of Indy growing up from a tiny puppy to a loyal best friend. We love the dog more in five minutes than we do some slasher final girls who’ve survived several sequels. Indy is the most empathetic scream queen of the year so far — and I mean that literally as his breed, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever, is known for its high-pitched wail. American Kennel Club lists the Toller as the U.S.’s 87th most popular dog. I expect this movie will lead to an uptick. (Steve Martin already has one.)

What’s wrong in Indy’s new home? A pair of tragedies wind together like vines, although from the dog’s point of view, the distinction between them isn’t always obvious. This battered two-story home with ominous scratches on the basement door has been in Todd’s family for six generations, as the cemetery out back proves. Bequeathed to the youngish urban hipster by his grandfather (indie cult icon Larry Fessenden), a misanthrope who willed his taxidermy collection to a vegan, it’s a good place to disappear.

Todd, who’s in bad physical and emotional shape, has isolated himself in this scraggly, foggy forest to get some privacy from his sister, Vera (Arielle Friedman). There’s also a past death that the dog is able to perceive. A sniff of a rotting old chair frightens Indy so much, he wets the rug.

“Scaredy pants,” Todd teases Indy. The dog can’t explain what only he knows.

Several unnerving things are happening at once, including the presence of a silhouetted stalker, old bones that give the dog nightmares and Todd’s unpredictable mood swings. There’s also a ghost in the movie, I think — at least, there’s a heavy hinge that shouldn’t be able to open without a spectral nudge. Indy stands about two feet tall, so the camera often stays at that height too, gliding close to the floor where the view from under the bed looks as big as an airplane hangar.

A realistic dog’s-eye view of a creepy cabin is a good hook, although people hoping to see an otherwise satisfying genre thriller will feel a bit underwhelmed that Leonberg and his co-screenwriter Alex Cannon are conflicted about pushing the scary elements of the film too far into the supernatural. With a complicated backstory off the table (Indy looks restless whenever adults are having a conversation), the movie taps into our burgeoning belief that animals do have a special sixth sense, like how hospice workers know to pay special attention to whoever gets night visits from the resident pet.

Still, “Good Boy” doesn’t stray too far from the film’s core strength: a normal dog doing normal dog things. In a twitch, a head tilt or a whine, Indy communicates his emotions: curious, lonely, contented, confused, fretful, desperate or petrified. There’s no CG in the dog’s performance, no corny reaction shots and no use of animal doubles either. Todd’s own legs, however, are often doubled by Leonberg, an onscreen switcheroo that’s possible because the lens doesn’t tend to look up.

I liked the plot better on a second watch when I knew not to expect Jamie Lee Curtis on all fours. The ending is great and the build up to it, though draggy, gives you space to think about the interdependence between our species. Dogs are wired to be our protectors and yet, through generations of nurturing, they’ve come to trust that we’ll also protect them. The inarticulate betrayal in the film is that Todd isn’t making good decisions for anyone. His bond with Indy is pure and strong, yet one-sided in that Todd is too distracted to ease the dog’s fears. Indy is bereft to be left alone for long stretches of time in a strange house. But he can’t do a thing about that, nor the sputtering electricity, the fox traps in the brush and the neighbor (Stuart Rudin) who skulks around in hunting camouflage.

In Todd’s facelessness, he’s a stand-in for whatever you want: absentee parents, a struggling partner or child or friend. There’s a scene in which he comes home in obvious need of a cuddle, only to push his dog away. Maybe you’ve been both people in that shot: the person overwhelmed by their own pain and the loved one who has no idea how to soothe them. It’s terrifying to love someone this much, to give them the full force of your devotion only to get locked outside.

Consciously or not, Leonberg has made a primal film about helplessness. Watching it, I was knocked sideways by a sense memory of how it felt to be a child. Like Indy, kids get dragged around to places they don’t want to go to for reasons that aren’t explained, and when they whine, they’re commanded to pipe down. Even as we get older — when our own point of view can stand taller than two feet — the things that truly scare us are the ones that make us feel small and confused.

Dunsop Bridge, nestled in the heart of the Forest of Bowland, is the closest village to the exact centre of the UK, which has been pinpointed by Ordnance Survey

The quaint village of Dunsop Bridge in Lancashire has been officially recognised as the most central point in the UK by Ordnance Survey.

The exact centre of the nation is pinpointed on a hillside just northwest of the village, near the Whitendale Hanging Stones. Dunsop Bridge, nestled in the heart of the Forest of Bowland and located about nine miles from Clitheroe, is the closest village to this precise midpoint.

Although often cited as the UK’s centre – marked by a commemorative plaque on its village green – the actual central spot lies a few miles northwest on a hillside above the village.

Once part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the tiny, picturesque village became part of Lancashire after boundary changes in 1974.

Not only is the village famous for its central location, but it also houses the 100,000th BT phone box, installed by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes in 1992, reports Lancs Live.

Situated where the River Dunsop meets the River Hodder, Dunsop Bridge is a popular destination for walkers. Favourite routes include the Saddle Fell Top and Slaidburn Walk, drawing nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Much of the surrounding land is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster. In 2006, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the village, strolling through the area, visiting the Puddleducks Cafe, and watching a cow’s hoof trimming at Radholme Laund Farm.

Their visit concluded with lunch at The Inn at Whitewell to celebrate the Queen’s 80th birthday.

Renowned for its tranquil ambience and breathtaking moorland vistas, Dunsop Bridge acts as the entrance to the renowned Trough of Bowland.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape celebrates the village’s “lovely winding paths” and its charm as an ideal location for picnics or a peaceful tea stop, featuring resident ducks and verdant banks.

The Forest of Bowland National Landscape website states: “Dunsop Bridge is the entrance to the famous Trough of Bowland. Lovely winding paths from here through the moors to Lancaster are popular with thousands of fell walkers.

“With resident ducks and grassy banks it is the perfect place to stop for a picnic or a cup of tea and a cake at the cafe.”

Whether for rambling or simply absorbing the tranquil environment, Dunsop Bridge continues to be a treasured jewel in Britain’s crown.

LA VOIX has made history by becoming the first drag artist to sign up for the main series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Here’s everything you need to know about the trailblazing performer, whom The Sun exclusively revealed would be part of the Strictly 2025 line-up.  

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Who is La Voix?

La Voix, born Christopher Dennis, is a dynamic performer, presenter and vocalist.

She first rose to prominence in the entertainment world as a semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent in 2014.

La Voix later gained international acclaim through appearances on shows including Queen of the Universe and Queens For The Night.

In 2024, La Voix was a fan favourite and runner-up on the sixth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, earning four RuPeter Badges for winning multiple challenges, including the Snatch Game and a musical Rusical performance.

Growing up in Stockton-on-Tees, La Voix moved to London aged 18 to study drama at Brunel University before training in musical theatre at the Urdang Academy.

Her career spans decades and includes performances worldwide on over 80 cruise ships and regular pantomime roles.

This is on top of La Voix’s live shows combining powerful vocals, comedy and celebrity impressions — she has the ability to channel legendary divas like Tina Turner, Cher and Judy Garland.

La Voix interviewed iconic personalities such as Dawn French and Joanna Lumley, and even performed for the Royal Family at its exclusive New Year’s Eve ball for two consecutive years.

The entertainer has also been involved in film, including a role in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

La Voix’s participation in Strictly Come Dancing is historic as she is the first drag queen to compete in the main series of the show.

While drag performers have appeared in the program’s Christmas specials before, La Voix is breaking new ground by joining the main line-up.

Speaking with the BBC, La Voix said: “I’ve performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement, and quite a bit of terror, than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV.

“Strictly is a national institution, and I can’t wait to get started.

“All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.”

La Voix also told Radio 2’s Scott Mills: “I can’t dance, I’ve always said it’s not my thing.

“I’ve managed to get through 20 years of being on stage by standing in the centre and having dancers choreographed around me, now I can’t hide behind that any more.”

Who else is on Strictly this year?

The 2025 Strictly Come Dancing line-up includes a stacked cast of celebrities alongside La Voix:

• Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Olympian and Gladiator)
• Dani Dyer (TV personality)
• Alex Kingston (Doctor Who actress)
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (former footballer)
• Balvinder Sopal (actress from EastEnders)
• Ellie Goldstein (model and the first contestant with Down syndrome on the full show)
• Karen Carney (Lioness legend)
• Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones actor)
• Vicky Pattison (TV personality)
• Stefan Dennis (actor from Neighbours)
• Tom Skinner (former Apprentice star)
• Chris Robshaw (former Rugby Union star)
• Ross King (TV presenter)
• George Clarke (YouTube star)

It’s one of the Cotswolds’ best-preserved areas and has remained almost unchanged over the decades. It’s a great place to visit as autumn approaches.

Painswick, which has been dubbed “The Queen of the Cotswolds” by many, is a lesser-known gem of the area and makes for a brilliant day out.

This charming town stands as one of the Cotswolds‘ most perfectly preserved locations, having stayed virtually untouched through the years, and is encircled by stunning rural landscapes.

Its winding lanes are home to England’s most ancient structure to accommodate a Post Office and the nation’s most historic bowling green. The area is home to some of the UK’s most stunning towns and villages.

Should you be considering a visit, you ought to explore St Mary’s church, which stands among 99 yew trees creating one of the most striking churchyards in Britain.

This ancient church boasts a spire housing 14 bells and more than 300 hand-stitched kneelers showing biblical tales, reports the Express.

The Rococo Garden represents an essential destination within the settlement.

It was created during the 1740s as an English country gentleman’s garden for entertaining guests.

This garden now stands as Britain’s sole remaining rococo garden making it a truly unique destination.

From 1984 onwards, it has been restored into a beautifully maintained outdoor area and rescued from decay. Setting off from the settlement, numerous walking paths allow you to experience the finest Cotswolds scenery.

Close to Painswick you’ll discover Painswick Beacon and additional small communities like Sheepscombe. The Cotswolds Way National Trail proves a favourite destination for ramblers.

Should you be planning an extended hike, it stretches all the way to Chipping Camden and even reaches Bath city. For a trip to Painswick, the nearest train station is in Stroud.

The journey from London takes just shy of 90 minutes, followed by a quick 15-minute car ride to reach Painswick.

It’s an ideal spot for a weekend getaway, particularly as we head into the autumn season.

The Thursday Murder Club star Helen Mirren had a throwback moment in the Netflix film as it paid tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from The Thursday Murder Club.

Helen Mirren experienced a nostalgic moment in The Thursday Murder Club as the Netflix film honoured the late Queen.

The legendary actress has graced screens in countless acclaimed productions throughout her career, including Prime Suspect, Hitchcock, The Madness of King George, Gosford Park and the Fast and Furious franchise.

However, it was her 2006 Academy Award-winning performance as the late Queen Elizabeth II that truly cemented her legacy, portraying the monarch who tragically died aged 96 in September 2022.

The film, penned by The Crown mastermind Peter Morgan, explores the Royal Family’s response following Princess Diana’s tragic death, as mounting public pressure from newly appointed Prime Minister Tony Blair (Michael Sheen) forces their hand.

It proved a delightful throwback when the 80-year-old star adopted a remarkably similar appearance in Netflix’s newest big-screen offering The Thursday Murder Club.

As the investigative team begins examining a property developer’s murder, pensioner Elizabeth Best (portrayed by Helen Mirren) decides to go “undercover” at the local police station.

Emerging from her bedroom, Elizabeth sports a lengthy checked skirt, cardigan, headscarf, oversized spectacles and walking stick.

She informs her husband: “I’m going out for the day, if you need me, just call me”, whilst Stephen Best (Jonathan Pryce) assures her he’ll manage perfectly well.

He then chuckles: “What on earth are you wearing? You look like the Queen.

“Do I?” Elizabeth questions, a smile playing on her lips.

Stephen, who is living with dementia, then comments: “That was a sad day. The funeral.”

Elizabeth enquires: “Do you remember that?”, to which he responds: “Of course I do. September 19, 2022. We watched it on the telly. You were obsessed with the security arrangements.”

She chuckles and concurs when Elizabeth informs him she’s “got a plan”, leading him to gently caress her face and say: “Oh my darling Elizabeth, you’ve always got a plan.”

Pryce, who plays Stephen, also has a Royal link as he portrayed Prince Philip in the final two series of The Crown on Netflix.

The Thursday Murder Club will premiere on Thursday, August 28, on Netflix.

June 24 (UPI) — The international architecture firm Foster + Partners was announced as the winner of a multi-million-dollar competition to design a national memorial to the late Queen Elizabeth II in London.

Norman Foster‘s firm beat out five other finalists with its pitch for a new cast-glass bridge inspired by Elizabeth’s wedding tiara as part of a commemorative garden in St. James’ Park, with spaces for visitors for quiet reflection.

The proposals also feature a statue of Elizabeth on horseback and a cast of her and her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip, who died in 2021, at a new Prince Philip Gate.

“We showed them together and, in a way, there was this inseparable quality which we sought to convey,” Foster said.

“Our design reflects Her Majesty’s love of history and tradition, while introducing a gentle, unifying intervention that respects the park’s nature and legacy.”

Foster added that the concept also recalled the informality the queen was known for in her interactions with people.

He stressed that the project would have minimal impact on the nature and biodiversity of the park and that the work would be conducted in phases, allowing the public to continue enjoying the existing amenities.

The new memorial will be built close to the statues of Elizabeth’s mother and father, the Queen Mother and King George VI, and not far from the statue of Queen Victoria in front of Buckingham Palace.

“Foster + Partners’ ambitious and thoughtful masterplan will allow us and future generations to appreciate Queen Elizabeth’s life of service as she balanced continuity and change with strong values, common sense and optimism throughout her long reign,” said Lord Robin Janvrin, head of the Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee Chair.

The project is expected to open to the public in April in what would have been Elizabeth’s hundredth year. She died in September 2022 at the age of 96.

Famous and iconic designs of Norman Foster around the world include the Reichstag building in Berlin, “The Gherkin” building in the City of London, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank building on Hong Kong Island and the Hearst Building on Eighth Avenue in Manhattan.

Around 270,000 spectators are expected at the Berkshire track over the five days.

Ascot is confident it can cope with a week of warm weather, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 29C by Saturday.

“Thoroughbred racehorses are able to run in very hot temperatures, including in countries such as Dubai,” said a course spokesperson.

“To ensure their welfare here at Royal Ascot we provide them with lots of water and ice if necessary.

“We’ve had days at Royal Ascot over 30C and we have a dedicated team of people to help cool the horses after they’ve raced.”

Going conditions are described as good to to firm, with the ground watered to help with safety for runners and riders.

The course’s dress code was relaxed for the first time during a heatwave three years ago, but the same is not expected to happen this week.

Colombo, Sri Lanka — As a girl, when Srimathi Mallika Kaluarachchi would go to the cinema with her family, and a man on the screen would hit the character played by superstar Malini Fonseka, Kaluarachchi would cry.

Then she would turn to her father in desperation. “We used to scream at the screen, telling our father to save her,” Kaluarachchi, now 68, recalled. “That was how much we loved her.”

On Monday, Kaluarachchi joined thousands of fans in bidding a final goodbye to Fonseka, who died on May 24 at the age of 78 while receiving treatment in hospital. Neither Fonseka’s family nor the hospital has publicly revealed the nature of her illness. One of the country’s most popular actresses, Fonseka was widely regarded as the queen of Sri Lankan cinema.

She was cremated with full state honours, as fans dressed in the mourning colour of white flocked to Colombo’s Independence Square to catch a glimpse of her coffin before she was cremated. Songs from Fonseka’s films were played while a projector drone flew above the crowd, displaying a montage of scenes from across her career.

Describing Fonseka as “a true icon of Sri Lankan cinema whose grace and talent inspired generations”, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that “her legacy will forever shine in our hearts and on our screens”.

A trailblazer

Fonseka, who starred in more than 140 films, had a career in Sinhala cinema spanning more than five decades.

“Whenever we saw her, we’d forget all the pain we had in our hearts,” said Kaluarachchi, wiping away tears. “Now, we know films aren’t real, but when we were children, we didn’t realise.”

Fonseka was special, Kaluarachchi said, because of the way she represented how everyday people experienced love and, often, the violence that comes with it for women in patriarchal societies.

Fonseka started her career as a stage actress before making her film debut with the 1968 film Punchi Baba.

Her popularity peaked in the 1970s and 1980s, as she collaborated with renowned directors, including Lester James Peries and Dharmasena Pathiraja.

Many of her most famous roles shared a common theme: the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. She played a wife murdered by her husband in the film Nidhanaya (1972), a college student in a complicated relationship in Thushara (1973), a village girl hounded by male attention in Eya Dan Loku Lamayek (1975), and a girl from a rural fishing village enticed by the big city lifestyle, in Bambaru Avith (1978).

This success continued into the 1980s, when she also expanded into directorial ventures, including in the films Sasara Chethana (1984) and Ahimsa (1987).

‘A bridge’ across generations

She also starred in the first Indian-Sri Lankan co-production Pilot Premnath in 1978, opposite legendary Indian Tamil actor Sivaji Ganesan.

“She never limited herself to one category. She was in commercial cinema and arthouse cinema,” said 27-year-old teacher Prabuddhika Kannagara. “She played a village girl, a young girl, a married woman, a mother, and even a grandmother. She represented women across all generations.”

Kannagara was one of the last mourners at the funeral, sitting and watching as sparks emanated from the white cloth tower in the square, specially erected for Fonseka’s cremation, according to Buddhist rituals.

She told Al Jazeera that Fonseka had acted as a “bridge” across various eras of cinema, from black-and-white to digital, and had remained a star not only for her mother’s generation, but also for her own.

Fonseka was a five-time Best Actress winner at Sri Lanka’s Presidential Film Awards. Her most recent win was in 2006 for her role in Ammawarune, a film she also directed. She also won international accolades at the Moscow International Film Festival and the New Delhi Film Festival.

She became Sri Lanka’s first female television drama director in the 1980s, a time when women’s participation behind the camera was unusual. Fonseka also had a short-lived foray into politics, serving as a member of Sri Lanka’s parliament from 2010 to 2015 under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Film critic and journalist Anuradha Kodagoda told Al Jazeera that Fonseka was “rare and unique in Sri Lankan cinema” for the range of characters she played.

Petite and fair, with an oval face and soft features, Fonseka was a “pioneer” in representing working-class women onscreen, and “represented the beauty idol for Sri Lankan women”, said Kodagoda.

“She portrayed her characters very organically and authentically. That is the magic of it, I think,” Kodagoda said.

‘There will be no other queens’

Many mourners, some of whom travelled long distances to attend the funeral, recalled moments when they had met or spoken with Fonseka.

“She was a role model for us. We saw her as an example when we went to the cinema,” said 56-year-old jam factory worker Pushpa Hemalatha. “She wasn’t arrogant. We loved her when we were young.”

Fonseka’s final acting performance was in the 2024 music video Eya Wasanathaya Nowe, playing an elderly woman remembering her deceased husband.

Ivanka Peiris, an actress and musician who acted with her in the TV drama Hithuwakkara, told Al Jazeera that Fonseka was “very empowering” as a role model for women, and “everything” for younger actresses in the industry.

And, she said, Fonseka would never be replaced.

“She’s the queen. That’s it,” Peiris said. “There will be no other queens in Sri Lanka. She will be the first and the last.”