Royal

The Princess of Wales has pulled out from a planned attendance at Royal Ascot.

Catherine, who is making a gradual return to public life after her cancer diagnosis last year, is trying to find the right balance as she fully returns to public engagements, according to royal sources.

The princess was said to be disappointed to miss the sporting occasion in Berkshire, where she would have appeared in the carriage procession.

She was due to attend on Wednesday with her husband the Prince of Wales and the King and Queen.

Racegoers had been hoping to see Catherine as William was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet.

Kensington Palace confirmed she would not be attending the races.

The princess was last seen smiling and joking with other royals on Monday during the Order of the Garter service in Windsor.

Recently her public appearances have increased with attendances also at Trooping the Colour and a visit to the V&A East Storehouse museum in London.

Catherine revealed in January she is in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to the hospital where she received treatment.

She announced her diagnosis last March before she revealed in September she had completed her chemotherapy, saying: “Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.”

Catherine did not attend Royal Ascot last year, saying at the time she had been “blown away” by the messages of support she had received since her diagnosis and had been “making good progress” but was “not out of the woods yet”.

The event, one of the highlights of the summer social calendar, is taking place over five days at the Berkshire racecourse and is expected to draw more than 250,000 spectators.

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.

Post Office scandal victims are favourites to win tomorrow’s final – as we catch up with all of the finalists

Post Office scandal choir Hear Our Voice look set to take their fight all the way to the King by winning tomorrow night’s Britain Got Talent final. The group – made up of victims of the sub postmasters scandal, which saw hundreds of lives ruined by the Horizon IT fiasco – are favourites to be crowned victorious.

If they are, they will get an audience with King Charles at the Royal Variety Show. Member Tim Bretnall says it would “take their story to the highest level.” “The absolute best bit of this journey has been the audiences reactions and support, and to be able to feel that for Royalty would be unbeatable,” he said.

READ MORE: Britain’s Got Talent’s Bruno Tonioli issues five-word comment on stand-in judge KSI

“Winning the show would be huge, we’ve all spent so long fighting what’s felt like an uphill battle, and it’s still going on now, but knowing that the public are firmly behind us would mean the absolute world to us.

“It would give our cause a real seal of approval and hopefully a platform to continue to fight for the justice that people deserve, what’s already changed my life is the joy that being in choir has brought.”

The 40-strong choir was set up a year ago, to provide a happy outlet for their shared pain. Founder Mark Wildblood said it’s become “therapy” for them.

Hundreds of sub-postmasters were accused or convicted of theft and fraud due to the faulty Horizon system, developed by Fujitsu and installed by the Post Office.

It incorrectly financial shortfalls, leading to one of the biggest ever miscarriages of justice. Prosecutions started more than 25 years ago but victims are still fighting for compensation and for those responsible to be held to account.

Their story inspired last year’s ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office. The award-winning show, which starred Toby Jones as campaigning sub-postmaster Sir Alan Bates, led to the quashing of convictions.

One whose conviction for was overturned is Tim, 42, who ran a post office in Roch, Pembrokeshire.

Speaking ahead of today’s final, he says logistics has been the hardest part of the week, not nerves.

“That’s the hardest bit of the choir because we are all from all over the country,” he explained. “Strangely nerves haven’t really come into it, it feels so good to be standing alongside all my friends doing this, we love the opportunity it’s given us.”

Promising an emotional performance, Tim teased what fans can expect. “It’s another song that really speak to us all, how we feel now we’ve come together, it really shows how courage is our talent,” he said. “We’ve been working on this song for months, we hope it will really give a feeling of how together we’ve all been brought by doing this.”

With a £250,000 prize fund also up for grabs, Tim has big plans for the money.

“If we were lucky enough to win we’d split the money evenly between all the members of the choir – after putting a little into saving for my children I plan to give the majority of my share to the 2 postmasters charities – Lost Chances and Horizon Shortfall Fund,” said Tim.

Hear Our Voice are one of 10 finalists performing night. We caught up with the rest of the hopefuls ahead of the finale.

Guitarist Olly Pearson, 11, says her’s overcome a few hiccups ahead of the final.

“I did have a problem with my guitar set up which I had to spend a lot of time working on with my grandad to stop one note ‘choking out’, he explained. But it’s all sorted now!”

Olly wants to treat his grandad if he wins. “First thing I would do is buy my Grandad his dream guitar a USA Fender Strat to say thank you for teaching me!” he promised.

Magician Harry Moulding, 24, is going all out to try win with a never before seen trick.

“All I can say is that it’s going to be the biggest thing that I’ve ever tried to do,” he teased. “I don’t think any magician has ever done this before. And I’m pretty sure that no magician has ever done it on Britain’s Got Talent or on live TV. So just expect for this to be the biggest one yet.”

Swiss dance troup The Blackouts are promising another spectacular light and dance show with a heartwarming message.

“Our final show is called Thank You Britain,” explains Elias. “It’s our way of expressing just how much this experience — and the kindness of the British public — has meant to us. You’ve welcomed us with open arms, and this is our love letter back to you. Expect emotion, energy, surprises and a lot of light — not just in the technical sense, but in the way we hope it makes people feel.”

Glaswegian singer Vinnie McKee, 29, is channeling his nerves and emotions into his performance – which he says will be a tearjerker.

“I’m extremely nervous but more excited than ever before!” he admits. “You will need to have tissues at the ready as I’m doing my own version of an emotional classic that’s never been performed like this before.”

Mum-of-one Stacey Leadbeatter, 29, has big plans for what she’ll do with the prize money if she wins – hoping it will help her grow her family.

“If I was to be lucky enough to win, I promised that I would take my little girl to Disneyland!” she begins. “I’ve promised her that one day I’d do that and this would help! I’d also use the money to help with funding to extend my family by looking into getting IVF and also it would help a great deal towards wedding costs and also releasing my own music.”

Gymnast Binita Chetry, nine, is the youngest finalist of the series – and while she may be small, she’s certainly mighty.

“It’s great because I look small but my performance is as impactful as someone bigger than me,” she said. “I feel the advantage of being the youngest contestant is I get all the love and care of others and that makes me happy. “I want to inspire all the young girls that no matter how young you are if you have a passion for something you can do anything.”

Italian dance troupe Ping Pong Pang are promising an “original, wild, and full of rhythm” show, which they hope takes them all the way to the Royal Variety Performance.

Patrizio Ratto said: “As always, we’ll mix dance, energy, and our unique style with rackets and ping pong balls. Performing for royalty is something beyond imagination. We would live it with deep respect, emotion, and all the wonder we carry in our hearts. We’d just have to polish our rackets a bit first!

Drag opera singer Jasmine Rice, 37, is promising another show stopping performance – and outfit – but says she’s struggled with hay fever in the lead up to the final.

“Aside from the usual pre-show butterflies, this British hay fever has me in a chokehold!” said the New York native, who overcame the secret heartbreak of losing her grandmother to progress to the final. “I landed here and thought my nose was auditioning for a solo of its own. But with that all aside I know now it’s just me, my voice, and that big, fabulous stage.”

Comedian Joseph Charm, 32, says he wants to win the show for his family. The dad-of-two, whose mum got involved by hitting the golden buzzer, shared: “Winning the show would be incredible but nothing will ever trump giving my mum that special moment, that will live with me forever.”

On the prize fund, he said: “That’s a lot of money… it would finally allow me to pay for one month of nursery.”

Watch the BGT final tomorrow on ITV from 7pm.

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A RARE mourning ring commissioned by King George IV has been found in a charity shop – and snapped up for just £15.

The gold band, engraved with the touching words “Remember me”, was created to honour the death of Princess Amelia, youngest daughter of King George III.

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The historic piece was discovered in a charity shop in Leicester and is now set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, where it could fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.

Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “It’s the most important charity shop find I’ve heard about in a decade.”

The unsuspecting buyer had picked up the ring from a local shop, unaware of its royal connection.

Mr Hanson recalled: “I was stunned and dazzled. From a simple box emerged a piece of deeply personal Royal history – commissioned by the Royal family itself to honour a lost loved one.”

Princess Amelia was born on 7 August 1783 and died aged 27 in 1810 after a long battle with tuberculosis.

Her death is thought to have devastated King George III, accelerating his mental decline. She was believed to be his favourite child.

The ring, crafted by top royal jewellers Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, was one of only 52 made on the orders of the Prince Regent – who later became King George IV.

They were handed out to close family and friends after her funeral in Windsor.

“The white enamel used in the ring denotes that Amelia was unmarried at the time of her death,” Mr Hanson said.

“White enamel symbolised purity and innocence in mourning jewellery, particularly for those who died young or unmarried.

“It contrasts with the more commonly used black enamel, which signified general mourning.”

In a final act of love, Princess Amelia is said to have pressed a ring containing a lock of her hair into her father’s hand as she lay dying, whispering the words now inscribed on the newly discovered ring – “remember me”.

A matching mourning ring was later bought by Queen Mary in 1935. Back in 1810, each ring cost 58 shillings to make.

“This find proves treasures still lie hidden on our high streets,” said Mr Hanson.

“It’s not just the monetary value – it’s the emotion, history and humanity behind this ring that truly moves you.”

Experts believe the ring could attract international interest when it goes under the hammer, thanks to its royal provenance and remarkable condition.

Collectors of royal memorabilia are expected to watch the auction closely.

Jewellery historian Alexandra Michell said: “It’s incredibly rare to find such a piece outside of established collections.

“Mourning jewellery from this era, especially tied to a royal figure, is both historically and emotionally valuable.”

The ring has now been placed in secure storage until its auction day to ensure its protection.

It will feature as a highlight item in Hansons’ Summer Fine Art Jewellery Auction.

The auction will take place on 12 June 2025, and bids are expected to come in from across the UK and abroad.

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A “CRUEL” Royal Mail postie has been caught on camera KICKING a customer’s “attention-loving” puppy in the face.

Nikki Walker, 49, was working from home last month when cockapoo Bella heard the garden gate open and jumped out of a ground floor window.

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Moments later Nicki heard the one-year-old pup yelp in pain and rushed to the front door to question a Royal Mail postman who had just delivered some letters.

She says the rude worker denied kicking Bella and told her to “do what the f**k she wants” when she threatened to check her doorcam footage.

Nikki was appalled to discover footage on the doorcam of the Royal Mail postie booting her pooch in the face.

The shocking video shows Bella run over to the postman who turns around and kicks the rescue dog in the face with his right boot.

Squealing, Bella is launched backwards in mid-air and runs off a couple of seconds before Nikki appears at the front door.

Nikki claims the postie told her he simply “put my leg up to stop Bella from jumping” but she believes he was lying.

The mum-of-four says she was “absolutely fuming” while reviewing the footage and has complained to Royal Mail.

She says they offered her £100 and a home visit from a staff member to apologise, but she rejected the latter as she wanted all correspondence in writing.

Nikki claims Royal Mail have since threatened to suspend deliveries to her address unless she ensures the dog is kept away from staff.

She describes Bella as a “faithful, cuddle-loving” puppy who has never bitten anyone and posted the video to Facebook where users branded the postie a “scumbag” and called for him to be sacked.

Royal Mail claim two other posties have reported Bella growling at them and insisted their “first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety” of staff.

The postman has now been removed from the round and won’t be delivering to the address on Nikki’s request.

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Nikki, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, said: “When I heard yelping I quickly ran outside the front door.

“When I asked what she’s yelping at he said he didn’t know. I asked if he’d kicked the dog and he said ‘no, I put my leg up to stop her from jumping’.

“That won’t be the case because he put his leg back and kicked. I knew he was lying to me.

“I told him I’d check the camera then he said ‘do what the f**k you want.

“Bella ran into the house, curled and cowered on the sofa and that’s not like her. I knew something had happened.

“I sat next to her to watch the video and when I did I was absolutely fuming.

“She was wagging her tail. She wasn’t aggressive or barking.

“She’s a faithful puppy. She loves cuddles, attention and she’d sit on your knee for hours.

“If he’d have done that to my last dog he’d have killed her.

“My daughter watched the video and she was absolutely mortified.”

Nikki says it will cost her around £80 to build new fencing so Royal Mail will agree to deliver to her address.

She feels the delivery giants are treating her puppy like a “dangerous” dog despite her claiming she’s never bitten anyone.

Nikki said: “They sent this via a letter, which is quite ironic. You couldn’t make it up.

“We’ve had to go out, buy some wood and build and new fence and gate so she can be secured in the back garden

“It’s as if my dog is dangerous. It’s really annoyed me. She’s not a rottweiler or a big alsatian and she’s never bit anybody.”

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Nikki’s Facebook post has more than 200 comments, shares and reactions.

The post said: “This is absolutely disgusting behaviour kicking my one-year-old puppy in the face. She’s wagging her tail.

“The yelps coming out of her are distressing so be mindful if watching, please.”

One commented: “Disgusting behaviour. Report him and push for an outcome.”

A second said: “I hope he gets sacked, he wouldn’t be kicking a rottweiler.”

A third agreed and said: “Sack the scumbag.”

However one said: “Should keep your dog under control at all times.”

Nikki hit back: “She was in her own garden not running wild in the streets. it’s the postman who was out of control.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident involving one of our postmen and a dog in Leeds.

“Our first priority as an employer is to ensure the welfare and safety of our people who provide a valuable service to our customers.

The vast majority of dog owners are very responsible and keep their pets under control, However, last year, there were over 2,200 dog attacks on postmen and women in the UK – some resulting in life-changing injuries.

“We continue to appeal to dog owners to secure their pets when the postie arrives to help reduce the number of attacks, particularly at the door and in the garden.”