Smiling through the buckets of rain, the Princess of Wales defied the odds to prove she was ‘strong enough’ to complete the Three Peaks Challenge.

In a secret endurance test, just 17 months after announcing she was in remission from cancer, Kate took on the ‘personal’ expedition to raise money for a charity supporting others living with the disease.

The future queen climbed the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – within 24 hours, starting on Saturday evening.

She carried out the challenge solo, supported en route by Mountain Rescue, and was greeted at the end by the Prince of Wales and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, and her parents Carole and Michael Middleton and brother James Middleton.

Kensington Palace said they believed the expedition was a royal first, with the princess being the first member of the royal family to complete the Three Peaks.

The royal family celebrated the undertaking, with the monarchy’s official social media account posting: ‘Congratulations to The Princess of Wales.’

Kate revealed she had taken on the trek, not only as a physical endeavour but ‘to give something back’ and raise awareness of the wider impact of serious illness.

In a video released on Sunday, the princess said she had met some ‘incredible people’ living with and beyond cancer, adding: ‘I know personally how difficult that journey is.’

The princess, who was recorded speaking before she started the walk, said: ‘Lots of people have asked me why I’m doing this challenge, and partly, it’s personal.

‘I’m so grateful to be here, to be strong enough to walk these hills.

‘But, more importantly, it’s to give something back and acknowledge, really, all the incredible work going on up and down this country.’

Kate also released a picture smiling broadly at the misty summit of Ben Nevis wearing a drenched cagoule and trekking poles on her back.

The princess could be seen wearing her sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which belonged to William’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

The princess wrote: ‘I have taken on the National Three Peaks Challenge, not simply as a physical endeavour but as a chance to explore life beyond diagnosis and to give something back.

‘The Royal Marsden is a place that holds great meaning for me and whose care and expertise are life changing for so many people.

‘Through this challenge, I want to raise awareness for the deeper impact of serious illness and the importance of holistic healthcare.’

Sharing her own experience of cancer, she spoke of how she personally understood that the illness can affect every aspect of someone’s life.

The princess added: ‘Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in this country hear the words no-one wants to hear.

‘What follows is a path that tests every part of who we are: physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. The challenges ripple outwards, touching families, friendships, work and the quiet moments we spend alone with our thoughts.

‘Cancer doesn’t just affect the body. It changes how you think and feel and profoundly affects every aspect of life. I know this personally.’

Kate trekked for 23 miles, with a total ascent of more than 10,000 feet, and a driving distance of 462 miles between locations.

She was previously treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, west London, and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity has launched a specially designed fundraising page for people across the nation to donate.

Money raised will be used to help more people with cancer to benefit from holistic care.

The princess, who has long campaigned over the importance of spending time outdoors, wrote: “In the end, bravery isn’t just about pushing forward.

‘It is about knowing how to stay grounded, connected and present, no matter the terrain, or landscape you are walking through.

‘Together, we can stand alongside everyone navigating life with cancer, ensuring no-one faces this disease feeling unseen or unsupported.

‘Please know you are not alone.’

Kate, who signed her personal message with a “C”, also wrote of the benefit of holistic therapies.

Money raised will also support research into how holistic care can best work alongside clinical cancer treatments to help patients, with the goal of creating a blueprint for change, so the supportive care becomes a standard part of cancer treatment nationally.

Kate was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer early in 2024, for which she underwent chemotherapy, and she announced she was in remission 17 months ago in January 2025.

The physical challenge marks the latest milestone for the princess, who has gradually returned to royal duties, and last month restarted her international travel with a working trip to Italy.

MORE: Prince Harry ‘may not bring Meghan and children to UK’ after security decision

MORE: Tourists give their verdict on King’s decision not to move into Buckingham Palace

MORE: King Charles won’t be moving into Buckingham Palace despite £370 million makeover

Man Utd midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was a late inclusion in England’s squad for the World Cup in the United States.

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel again in England’s final World Cup group game against Panama. Tuchel introduced Jordan Henderson in the 84th minute, but Mainoo was an unused substitute.

Henderson was a controversial inclusion in England’s squad for the tournament. The 36-year-old returned to the Premier League when he signed for Brentford last year after playing for Ajax and Al-Ettifaq.

Mainoo worked hard to get into the England squad, so will be disappointed not to have played a single minute so far. The Stockport-born midfielder is one of three outfield players in the squad (along with Trevoh Chalobah and Ivan Toney) not to have been given a single minute.

Mainoo did not start a Premier League game this season for United until Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. Michael Carrick immediately reinstated him to the team, and his sparkling form in the second half of the campaign earned him a place in England’s squad for the World Cup.

Reflecting on the first half of his season, Mainoo told England reporters in the USA: “I mean, obviously there were difficult times.

“But I tried to keep my focus on what was in front of me, take things day by day and just keep working my craft, keep working hard for the team, and I hoped the rest would come. Thankfully it has.”

When asked if he had Carrick to partly thank for his World Cup call-up, he said: “Definitely, and I told him that I was very grateful. Because if he hadn’t put me on the pitch, then I wouldn’t have been here so, I’m always grateful to him for that.”

Henderson was important for Brentford last season, but anyone who watched him and Mainoo in the Premier League should agree that it was strange to see him get onto the pitch over the United talent against Panama.

The former Liverpool midfielder has been picked for the leadership he can offer, and is said to be very close to Jude Bellingham. However, he is the past for England, and Mainoo will be a big part of the future.

Tuchel insisted Mainoo had a role to play at the World Cup when he sat down for his first press conference of the tournament.

“The squad has a significant number of players that will compete for starting minutes and starting places, [which] also gives us the chance to rotate on a high level and a significant number of players who carry the [sporting] responsibility on the highest level,” he said.

“We have a huge chunk of youthfulness in the squad. We have six players who have won titles with the under-21s. We have Kobbie, who is still young and has won his titles [and] we have Nico O’Reilly on top, who is young and already won his medals.”

Mainoo has watched the action from the bench, while O’Reilly has started two games and made an appearance from the bench in the other.

The irony is that Mainoo has a skillset that would have been hugely beneficial to England in their games against Panama and Ghana, particularly the latter fixture, in which they struggled to unlock a low block.

It was bizarre to see Henderson get into the pitch over Mainoo. Perhaps Tuchel will redeem himself by introducing him from the bench in the knockout rounds.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

The two brick-and-mortar Hip locations in Manchester and Leeds will shut but the brand will continue trading online – this after JD Sports closed 24 stores across the UK earlier this year

Two stores owned by a popular sport-fashion retail chain are set to close on high streets this week.

JD Sports is scrapping its Hip stores, with the two sites preparing to close for good. JD Sports acquired the Hip brand in 2014.

The Manchester Hip branch on Thomas Street will close down on June 28 and the Leeds branch on Yorkshire city’s Vicar Lane will follow suit at the end of the month, according to Drapers.

Despite its departure from the high street, Hip is set to continue to trade online via its website.

JD Sports was forced to closed 24 UK stores earlier this year due to financial uncertainty, but still operates 4,000 stores worldwide.

JD Sports has decided to scale back the operation and will cut underperforming stores to place more focus on more popular locations.

Last month, The Mirror reported that JD Sports will shut 175 Hibbett stores in the US in the following three years to focus on more profitable locations.

The British retailer took on the Hibbett brand in 2024 for $1.1 billion as part of its expansion in the US.

Over the past two years the sporting outlet has faced tough competition, including from Dick’s Sporting Goods, which bought Foot Locker for $2.5 billion.

The company has also recently reported a drop in annual earnings.

The brand explained that it had concerns that tensions in the Middle East could mean higher costs and decreased customer interest.

Advertisement

It said that there had been no “direct exposure” – just “heightened uncertainty”.

The business shared plans to cut down on bricks-and-mortar sites in order to have “fewer, bigger and better” shops.

JD Sports told Manchester Evening News in May: “Over time, the potential future impacts of heightened uncertainty may contribute to direct cost pressures, including energy and fuel costs across our store and logistics networks, respectively, as well as potential indirect impacts on pricing and consumer demand should input cost inflation emerge.”

Last week, Belfast Live reported that the Independence Day concert, which was due to take place at Belfast City Hall, had been cancelled due to a failure to secure a headline act

The Department for Communities is scrambling to claw back up to £10,000 paid to the Ulster Scots Agency as an advance for their USA250 concert that had been scheduled to take place on 4th July at Belfast City Hall.

The USA250 concert, intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, was completely abandoned last week after organisers admitted they failed to secure headline acts.

Back in January, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced a £30,000 public funding package for the event, promising a line-up of “high-profile acts” with US artists joining via video link.

Following a week of silence, the Department for Communities has now admitted that a £10,000 advance of taxpayer cash was paid out before the event collapsed.

The department also conceded that a portion of that public money has already been spent on “preparation” for the non-existent gig and cannot be recovered.

A spokesperson for the Department for Communities told Belfast Live : “Around £10,000 was allocated as an advance. We are engaging with the Ulster Scots Agency on the return of funding not expended on preparation for the event.”

The admission comes after a week of stonewalling from the department, which initially sought to distance itself from the fiasco.

Following Belfast Live’s initial coverage of the concert’s collapse last week, departmental officials contacted this publication requesting that reference to the Department for Communities be removed from the article.

Officials claimed the Ulster Scots Agency was solely responsible for the cancellation, despite Minister Lyons having personally fronted the original funding announcement.

Sinn Féin Communities spokesperson and chair of Stormont’s Communities Committee, Colm Gildernew MLA said that the Minister needs to ensure that all of the £30,000 that was allocated to the event is returned to the public purse.

“The Communities Minister has a track record of wasting public funds on his own pet projects,” he said.

“He wasted £5,500 on research on JD Vance’s genealogy in a failed attempt to prove an Ulster Scot’s connection.

“Not to mention spending over £60,000 in his department’s involvement in a legal challenge to Belfast City Council’s draft Irish Language Strategy.

“Now it’s confirmed that a concert to celebrate American Independence, which he has allocated £30,000 to the Ulster Scots Agency to organise, is not going to happen.

“The Minister needs to ensure that all of the £30,000 is returned to the public purse.

“He also needs to start putting his attention and limited departmental resources into issues that are priorities, such as building more homes and tackling poverty and disadvantage.”

When the cancellation was confirmed, a spokesperson for the Ulster Scots Agency stated that the event would not proceed due to “a number of factors, including availability of potential headline acts.”

Defending the wider programme, the DfC spokesperson added: “There is a wide range of other US-NI250 projects being delivered across the summer. More information is available at www.usa-ni250.co.uk ”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Making the perfect homemade lasagne can be tricky – here’s what the experts say

Lasagne is a timeless Italian pasta dish created by layering sheets of pasta with fillings such as meat sauce, velvety béchamel, and generous amounts of cheese. Renowned for its comforting, hearty taste and a golden, crispy cheese topping, it remains one of the most beloved dinner dishes across the globe.

While lasagne is undeniably delicious, it can be both time-consuming and tricky to prepare. There are also numerous variations of the dish, depending on personal taste and regional tradition.

Some versions call for beef, others for pork, while some rely on ricotta or mozzarella for their creaminess. After consulting six chefs for their finest tips on making lasagne, the vast majority recommended one key thing.

James Cotton, development chef at Brakes Foodservice, said: “As a chef, one of the biggest questions I hear time and time again from those using dried pasta sheets for their lasagne is why the bottom layer of pasta doesn’t cook all the way through. There are actually a few very simple hacks that people often miss before layering their lasagne.

“First, soak your lasagne sheets in a bowl of boiled water for around 10 minutes. This will ensure they are very slightly cooked before being added to your oven-proof dish. Spread the bechamel sauce at the very bottom of the oven-proof dish, before laying the first lot of pasta sheets. This will provide the moisture the pasta needs to soften, so you aren’t left with those crunchy edges.”

“Cover your lasagne dish tightly with foil before putting it in the oven. This helps trap any steam needed to cook those edges. Only do this for the first 20 to 30 minutes, then remove to brown the cheese on top for a further 10 to 15 minutes.

“Lasagne is such a versatile dish, but my one secret ingredient would be to add a pinch of cinnamon or to drop a cinnamon stick into your meat when simmering. The warming combination of its sweet and savoury flavours pairs beautifully with slow-cooked tomato-based dishes.”

Bear in mind to remove the cinnamon stick before layering up the dish.

Jesse Kempner, head chef at Mindful Chef, suggested preparing your lasagne in advance. This is particularly crucial when working with dried lasagne sheets.

The expert said: “Try to make a day ahead if you can, but the morning will still make a difference. All the moisture from the sauces will be absorbed by the sheets, allowing them to soften and hold better structure at the end of the cook.

“Also, like with all good pasta sauces, the longer the sauce sits, the better the flavour, so this is a double win.”

The chef additionally advised allowing the dish to settle before slicing. This will help stop it from becoming untidy when cutting or turning watery.

Chef Enzo Oliveri, Cirio Ambassador, celebrity chef and President of the Italian Chefs Federation (FIC UK), revealed that the “true Italian secret” to an authentic lasagne lies in the quality of the ragù sauce. According to the chef, you cannot “hide” behind layers of pasta and cheese if the foundation “lacks depth”.

For a traditional lasagne, the sauce needs to be a rich, slow-cooked ragù, while the choice of meat is equally important. Although most people opt for beef in their lasagne, Chef Enzo uses a combination of beef and pork.

The chef said: “The pork brings a little extra richness and sweetness to the ragu thanks to its higher fat content. As the sauce cooks, that fat helps carry the flavour of the tomatoes throughout the dish, creating a ragu that feels more rounded and balanced.”

When it comes to assembling the dish, following a “few simple rules” can also make all the difference.

In common with other chefs, Chef Enzo advised to “always” spread a thin layer of béchamel directly onto the base of the baking dish before adding the first layer of pasta. The chef continued: “This stops the bottom layer from sticking or drying out.”

Maintaining a consistent sequence throughout is equally crucial. It should “always” be pasta sheet, ragù, béchamel, and then a generous dusting of Parmesan cheese.

Aiming for five or six thin layers is said to deliver the optimum balance.

Another “common mistake” people make is cutting into the lasagne immediately after it comes out of the oven. Ensure you allow it to rest for 15 to 20 minutes before serving.

The layers will settle and become firmer, delivering neat, well-defined slices that stay intact.

Yassir Chair, chef founder of Tagine & Grill and Afuego Burger, said: “One of the most overlooked lasagne tricks is spreading a thin layer of bechamel across the base of the dish before adding the first pasta sheet. It might seem like a small detail, but it makes a noticeable difference to the finished result.

“The bechamel creates a protective cushion between the hot baking dish and the pasta, helping to prevent the bottom layer from overcooking, drying out, or becoming tough during baking.”

It also enhances the overall texture of the lasagne, helping to maintain moisture and tenderness throughout the entire dish.

The chef added: “The result is a lasagne with a consistent, silky texture from top to bottom, where each bite has the same balance of pasta, sauce and richness. It’s a simple step that takes only seconds but adds a level of refinement that separates a good lasagne from a great one.”

Maurillo Molteni, head chef at TOZI restaurant & bar, also shared some interesting tips and tricks. The chef said: “Personally, I like the pasta to be quite thin, the bolognese sauce needs to be rich, and the bechamel not too thick.

“I love Parmesan, so in every layer I am quite generous with it. I also always make the lasagne the day before, let it rest and eat it the day after. It allows the different ingredients to bond with each other.”

Cllr Andrew Hollyer, planning spokesperson for City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat opposition, said a green belt review risked years of uncertainty and speculative development while house builders sit on existing sites.

Council Labour planning executive member Cllr Michael Pavlovic said updates would significantly reduce such risks and accused the Liberal Democrats of making misleading claims about things that would never happen.

A spokesperson for Labour Mayor David Skaith said the review was being done amid a housing crisis and he would not sit back and let get it worse.

Garry Taylor, council city development lead, said the work would help shape York’s next Local Plan following national changes and ensure much-needed homes are built in a respectful way.

RECOMMENDED READING:

The row comes after the authority and neighbouring North Yorkshire Council have invited bids for a £180,000 contract for an assessment of the region’s green belt.

The work, backed by the mayoral York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, is set to support the drafting of new Local Plans for development by both councils.

The assessment is set to see green belt land categorised against new national policies but it would not release parcels of it for development or decide on future use.

It follows national planning policy changes including the introduction of a new category of land dubbed ‘grey belt’, brownfield and previously developed areas of the green belt.

Wider national planning reforms have been enacted as part of Government aims to speed up house-building.

Changes have resulted in York starting work on a new Local Plan following the adoption of its first since the 1950s in February 2025.

Mr Taylor said the current Local Plan including green belt boundaries remain in place.

He added evidence gathered by the review, funded in part by a £70,000 Government grant, would inform wider work on the new Local Plan and the region’s Spatial Development Strategy.

But Cllr Hollyer said reopening the debate on the green belt put the certainty brought about by adopting the Local Plan at risk.

The opposition planning spokesperson said: “Some developers will simply bank the sites they already have and focus their efforts on securing permission for even more green belt development elsewhere.

“York Central is one of the biggest brownfield redevelopment opportunities anywhere in the UK, we should be focused on getting homes built on sites that have already been allocated, regenerating brownfield land and delivering the infrastructure York needs to cope with the extra housing.

“We can meet York’s housing needs without launching an assault on the green belt.”

Labour’s Cllr Pavlovic said national regulations had moved on since York’s Local Plan was adopted and it now needed to reflect those changes.

Cllr Michael Pavlovic, City of York Council’s Labour administration’s housing and planning executive member (Image: City of York Council)

The planning executive member said: “Updating our Green Belt evidence now will provide us with a robust evidence base for future planning decisions, meaning we significantly reduce the risk of such development.

“It’s disappointing to see Liberal Democrats seeking to mislead the public and scaremonger, on what is a technical requirement.

“Residents should take what they say with a large bucket of salt.”

A spokesperson for the mayor said the Liberal Democrats were misrepresenting what is happening.

The spokesperson said: “The mayor has a statutory duty to produce a spatial plan for the region set out by the Government.

“It does not mean that great expanses of the green belt will suddenly be developed on.”

Nigel Pocklington, chief executive of Good Energy Group, said: “Over the past five years, we have witnessed a series of energy shocks due to conflict abroad, proving that our current system is neither fit for purpose nor structured in a fair way for households to pay for their energy.