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Beatrice and Eugenie’s Royal goodbye – Ascot absence, garden party axe and Kate feud

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Daily Record

As King Charles continues to distance the monarchy from Andrew, his daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are reportedly being sidelined.

Andrew and Sarah Ferguson may already be considered unwelcome at major royal events, but now it appears their daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, could also be facing growing exclusion.

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Even before Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, King Charles had largely kept his younger brother out of the spotlight. Aside from attending a family funeral, Andrew had not appeared publicly with the rest of the Royal Family for some time.

Then last October, ahead of the release of his accuser Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir, the King issued a strongly worded statement announcing that, “notwithstanding” Andrew’s denials of wrongdoing, he would formally strip him of his royal titles and styles. Since then, the controversy surrounding the monarchy has only intensified.

Although King Charles positioned himself as supportive of survivors and took decisive steps to distance the monarchy from Andrew, the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein by the US Department of Justice has reignited public scrutiny. Newly surfaced photographs appear to show Andrew in the company of young women whose identities have been redacted. Other images reportedly show Epstein with political figures including Peter Mandelson, once again drawing attention to Andrew’s past associations.

With Andrew effectively exiled to Sandringham, attention has now turned to his daughters. Initially, it seemed that Beatrice and Eugenie might escape the scandal that engulfed their parents. In fact, Beatrice was appointed deputy patron of Outward Bound and attended a reception marking the role alongside her uncle Prince Edward at St James’s Palace last November. But in just a few months, the situation appears to have shifted dramatically.

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During the Christmas period, the York sisters appeared to carry on as usual. They attended the traditional royal family lunch in London and joined King Charles and senior members of the Royal Family for church on Christmas Day. Now, however, reports suggest they may be barred from several high-profile royal events as the controversy continues.

According to reports, neither Beatrice nor Eugenie will attend Royal Ascot this year, and the restrictions could extend further. They may also be excluded from the Royal Family’s Easter Sunday church service and upcoming royal garden parties. A royal source reportedly said that King Charles believes their presence at public royal occasions could harm the monarchy’s image while the situation remains so sensitive.

Speaking about Royal Ascot, an insider told The i Paper that the sisters might still attend the races privately but would not be permitted to take part in the traditional royal carriage procession.

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Royal biographer Russell Myers added that although Prince William previously invited his cousins to help host a garden party at Buckingham Palace with Catherine, Princess of Wales, it is unlikely that such invitations will continue this year. “He can’t be seen to go against the King,” Myers said, noting there is no indication William intends to take a different approach.

While King Charles is said to care deeply about his nieces, the ongoing controversy has reportedly forced him to distance the monarchy from them for the sake of its reputation. One insider told the Daily Mail that Beatrice and Eugenie have become particularly vulnerable as renewed attention is placed on their family’s links to Epstein. Although neither sister has been accused of wrongdoing, their past association with the financier has raised uncomfortable questions.

The situation has reportedly been emotionally difficult for both women, though they are said to be coping in very different ways. According to sources, Beatrice has tried to approach the crisis pragmatically but has been deeply affected by the collapse of the world she once knew and by what she perceives as the Royal Family’s cold response. Eugenie, by contrast, is said to be taking a more avoidant approach, hoping the controversy will eventually fade.

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The sisters were reportedly taken by surprise by the decision to exclude them from this year’s Royal Ascot. Some commentators have pointed to signs of tension within the Royal Family long before the current scandal. Photographs from the 2017 Ascot show Catherine, now Princess of Wales, speaking with Zara Tindall while Prince William chatted with Mike Tindall. When Beatrice joined the group, observers noted a noticeable shift in body language, with William appearing to subtly position himself between her and the others.

Body language expert Judi James previously suggested that Catherine’s interaction with Beatrice in those images appeared somewhat distant, hinting that tensions between the York sisters and other royals may have existed even before the Epstein scandal intensified.

There have also long been rumours of cool relations between Catherine and the York princesses. Some reports claim that the sisters, influenced by their father, believed William was “marrying beneath his status,” which allegedly made Catherine’s early years within royal circles uncomfortable.

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More recently, relations are said to have cooled further. Reports suggest that Beatrice and Eugenie were left off William and Catherine’s Christmas gift list. According to one source, once Andrew’s links to Epstein appeared more serious than initially believed, Catherine chose to distance herself from the entire York branch of the family.

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The fallout has also affected Eugenie’s charitable work. She recently stepped down as patron of Anti-Slavery International, a role she had held for many years, and her name was removed from the organisation’s website amid the controversy. Both sisters have made only a handful of public appearances since the latest developments emerged.

Friends say, however, that Beatrice and Eugenie still feel a strong sense of public duty. They reportedly believe they should not be treated as though they have done something wrong, particularly given that neither has been accused of any crime.

Royal historian Andrew Lownie has suggested that both sisters are eager to maintain good relations with the Royal Family, partly because their futures — including potential business opportunities — remain tied to their royal status. Remaining princesses, he argues, allows them to maintain influence and credibility, particularly in international circles.

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However, some experts believe their long-term position within the monarchy may become increasingly uncertain. Royal commentator Richard Palmer has predicted that the sisters could eventually lose their titles as the monarchy continues to streamline its ranks. In his view, being princesses who are not working royals already creates confusion, as they retain status without official duties.

Privately, the strain is said to be taking a heavy toll on Beatrice. Reports suggest she has been struggling emotionally as she confronts the allegations surrounding her father and the damage done to her family’s reputation.

Meanwhile, additional scrutiny has emerged after reports that both sisters received payments from David Rowland, a controversial billionaire associate of Prince Andrew. Sources close to the princesses have said they have no recollection of the alleged payments. Rowland previously helped settle a £1.5 million loan owed by Andrew in 2017, and he later attended Eugenie’s wedding.

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Such revelations have prompted some commentators to call for greater transparency from the York family. Others argue that remaining silent may be the wiser course. Royal biographer Ingrid Seward suggested that speaking publicly could worsen the situation and that the sisters have likely been advised to keep a low profile.

Questions also remain about how well Beatrice and Eugenie knew Jeffrey Epstein. Their names appear in documents connected to him, though this alone does not indicate wrongdoing. Most observers assume their initial contact with Epstein came through their parents’ social circle. However, even as adults, the sisters appear to have had at least some level of acquaintance with him, which continues to fuel public speculation.

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If rivers had legal rights, sewage scandals would be much harder to ignore

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If rivers had legal rights, sewage scandals would be much harder to ignore

World Water Day on March 22 is intended to be a celebration. Yet, for many in the UK, it brings up images of rivers and beaches contaminated with raw sewage, with 450,000 discharges recorded in England in 2024. It’s become a major political scandal, and is now the subject of a bleak Channel 4 docudrama.

But what if rivers themselves could take legal action against this pollution?

A growing movement of campaigners and researchers say rivers should be granted their own rights, independent of their value to humans. In this framework, rivers are not just resources to be used, but entities with the legal right to flow and to remain unpolluted. Crucially, those rights could be enforced in court by designated human guardians. Advocates of these “rights of nature” say it could give rivers a powerful new way to challenge pollution.

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Activists protest against sewage release into the River Thames near Oxford.
Elly Godfroy / Alamy

The problem of raw sewage dumping is directly linked to the privatisation of water companies in 1989. In theory, an independent regulator would protect rivers and the environment and ensure that monopoly companies, such as Thames Water, would not abuse their powers. But in practice, the system has struggled to prevent widespread pollution or hold companies to account – leaving rivers with no direct legal voice of their own.

The push for privatisation came alongside the relatively new idea that water should be treated as an economic good. For water companies, water is a commodity like oil or coal. They make money by charging for it, while pollution control is a cost they seek to minimise. When oversight is weak, dumping sewage in rivers becomes a cost-cutting or profit-making part of their business model.

Failings like these are why, since the beginning of the century, many people have started thinking about legal rights as an alternative to privatisation and ineffective protection.

There are valid questions about how it would work in practice. The guardian, for instance, is still a human voice but their mandate would be specifically to protect the rights of the river, including the ability to take cases to court.

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This would change how sewage dumping is handled. At present, discharges are treated as a regulatory breach and are managed through permits and fines. If rivers had legal rights, repeated pollution could instead be challenged as a violation of those rights – and of the river’s “personhood”. A rights-based framework mandates that the person (in this case, the river) must be restored to their previous position, before their rights were violated. This could mean polluters being forced to restore the river and its ecosystems to their previous state, or to pay compensation to the river itself (rather than a fine that disappears into an overall government budget).

This sounded like wishful thinking only a few years ago, but in some places it is already becoming a reality. In 2025, Lewes District Council in East Sussex, England, backed the Rights of River Ouse Charter, which acknowledges the right of the river to exist, its right to flow and to be free from pollution – the equivalent of the right to life for human beings.

However, a single local council cannot create rights that would replicate the rights you or I might have. That would require major national legal changes. For now, the charter is a statement of intent and a guide for local policy, and the River Ouse has some way to go before its new status can be enforced.

A case from the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia shows how hard it is to enshrine such changes. After the Loyalty Islands Province adopted a legislative amendment to recognise the rights of sharks and marine turtles, the measure was challenged and the Conseil d’Etat – France’s highest court of appeal – determined that the province lacked the power to grant legal personhood to natural entities.

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River viewed from a canoe

In Colombia, the River Atrato has been awarded legal personhood to recognise its importance to local communities and the damage caused by illegal mining.
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But in New Zealand, the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River) really does have full “legal personhood”. In 2017, national legislation – the Te Awa Tupua (Whanganui River Claims Settlement) Act – gave the river full legal rights and duties, to recognise the local Māori tribe’s spiritual connection to what some describe as a living ancestor.

Back in the UK, the recognition of river rights may help avoid a repeat of the catastrophic regulatory failures that the Channel 4 docudrama illustrates. As long as rivers are treated as assets to be managed, pollution remains negotiable – and ultimately acceptable. Recognising their rights would shift the priority from managing pollution to preventing it, and would make environmental protection a legal obligation, not a policy or business choice.

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Brighton vs Liverpool FC LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

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Brighton vs Liverpool FC LIVE: Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction

Liverpool begin the weekend in fifth place, which will be enough for a Champions League spot next season despite a disastrous week for teams at Europe’s top table, but with Aston Villa two points ahead, and more importantly, Chelsea one point behind – the pressure to pick up points is paramount for all involved.

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Israel strikes Hezbollah’s civilian and military wings in attempt to crush group

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Israel strikes Hezbollah's civilian and military wings in attempt to crush group

BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a health center in southern Lebanon instantly killed 12 medical workers, seriously wounded one and left four missing under the rubble for hours.

The March 13 strike in the village of Burj Qalaouiyah, one of the single deadliest strikes in Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began on March 2, targeted a center run by Hezbollah’s health arm, the Islamic Health Society, which has so far lost 24 members over the past two weeks.

Since the latest war began, Israel’s military has not only been targeting the group’s military assets but also its civilian institutions in an apparent attempt to weaken the Iran-backed group further and try to push its supporters away from it.

Hezbollah is a political party as well as an armed group, and its health and social service institutions have helped strengthen its base of support over the years.

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In addition to health centers, Israel has destroyed more than a dozen branches of Hezbollah’s financial arm, al-Qard al-Hasan. Other strikes heavily damaged Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV headquarters and its Al-Nour radio stations.

The strikes also have targeted the group’s Amana gas stations and discount shops known as Sajjad, where low-income people can buy highly subsidized products.

On Wednesday, an Israeli airstrike on an apartment in central Beirut killed Mohammed Sherri, the head of political programs at Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV, along with his wife.

Israel has accused Hezbollah of using health facilities for military purposes and has said al-Qard al-Hasan — officially a charitable organization that provides interest-free loans — finances the group’s military activities. Lebanon’s Health Ministry denies the Israeli claims about Hezbollah’s health facilities being used for military purposes.

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“This is a different war that will not end with a ceasefire,” said Hilal Khashan, a political scientist at American University of Beirut. “This war will not end before Israel achieves its full objective – that is, the elimination of Hezbollah not only as a military movement, but also the ultimate objective is to erase Hezbollah from the Lebanese political picture.”

Hezbollah is under internal and external pressure to disarm and knows this latest fight is crucial. Intense clashes along Lebanon’s southern border between Hezbollah fighters and advancing Israeli troops have left dozens of Lebanese gunmen dead.

During a visit to the northern front Monday, Israel’s army chief Gen. Eyal Zamir said that Hezbollah is now fighting “a war for its very existence and is paying a heavy price for entering this battle.” He added that pressures exerted by Israel’s military will only “increase more and more.”

Hezbollah vows to keep fighting

“This is an existential battle. It is not a limited or simple battle,” Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said in a televised speech over the weekend. Kassem vowed that his group would fight to the end and never surrender.

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Israel says that Lebanon has failed to disarm the group in accordance with the Lebanese government’s own plans, and that therefore Israel will carry out the mission itself.

Unlike previous conflicts with Israel, the current one comes as the Lebanese government has called Hezbollah’s military activities illegal and authorities have detained several members of the group for carrying weapons without a license.

Like previous wars, Hezbollah is being criticized by its opponents in Lebanon who blame the Iran-backed group for triggering this war by firing rockets into Israel. Hezbollah fired the rockets to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, less than two days after the U.S. and Israel began their attacks on Iran, triggering a war in the Middle East.

Israel retaliated with a campaign of airstrikes on parts of Lebanon that has so far left more than 1,000 people dead and over 1 million displaced from their homes in southern and eastern Lebanon as well as in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

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“Hezbollah took a suicidal initiative that will not change the equation,” said legislator Samy Gemayel, who heads the nationalist Kataeb Party, adding that Tehran is using Lebanon “as a platform to defend Iran.”

A previous 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006 ended with a draw. A 14-month conflict that started in October 2023 — when Hezbollah fired rockets in support of Palestinians a day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on southern Israel — killed much of Hezbollah’s political and military command and left the group severely weakened but not destroyed.

Strikes followed by backlash

After airstrikes hit Hezbollah’s institutions even in central Beirut, residents protested and forced the group to close a branch of al-Qard al-Hasan in the heart of the capital. Bowing to the pressure, workers removed the financial institution’s sign and dismantled ATMs, marking the end of its presence in central Beirut.

Amnesty International has said that the al-Qard al-Hasan branches are not legitimate military targets under international humanitarian law and that the strikes should be investigated as war crimes.

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“The Israeli military has appeared to assume that labelling something as Hezbollah-affiliated, be that healthcare workers, homes in border villages, or financial institutions, makes it targetable. That’s wrong,” said Heba Morayef, regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

Mahmoud Karaki of Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Society said that during the last war in 2024, his group lost 153 members in Israeli attacks. But he vowed that the group would continue its work as it has done in previous wars.

“By targeting us, they are targeting the safety network for the people and their steadfastness in areas under attack,” Karaki said

The Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson alleged that Hezbollah is using ambulances to transport weapons and fighters, a charge that the paramedic group strongly denies.

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Hezbollah and Iranian officials have said that any halt in U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran should also include a stop to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Senior Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qamati told Lebanon’s Al-Jadeed TV on Monday that “Iran will not leave Lebanon nor the resistance, nor will it allow that Lebanon remains vulnerable,” adding that “Lebanon will be part of this victory and will not be left alone.”

When Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was asked if Tehran could accept a ceasefire to stop strikes on Iran while they continue in Lebanon, he said: “I don’t think so.”

“We do not believe in a ceasefire; we believe in ending the war. And ending the war means exactly that — ending the war on all fronts,” Araghchi told Al Jazeera English, adding that this includes Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Iran and “other countries of the region.”

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Motorcyclist killed in crash on major Stockport road

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Manchester Evening News

An investigation is underway

A motorcyclist has tragically died following a horror crash in Stockport. Emergency services descended on the A6 Buxton Road, in Hazel Grove, at around 3.30pm on Friday (March 20).

Greater Manchester Police says the collision involved several vehicles, including a motorbike. The rider, a man in his 30s, sadly died at the scene. His family have been informed by police.

There are not thought to have been any other injuries following the crash. No arrests have been made, but witnesses are being urged to come forward as an investigation into the crash gets underway.

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The A6 was closed for several hours between the A555 junction in Hazel Grove and Windlehurst Road in High Lane while emergency services worked at the scene. An air ambulance had been seen landing nearby.

A badly-damaged motorbike and two other vehicles were seen inside the cordon afterwards. Debris could also be seen on the ground as initial collision investigation works took place.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Our Serious Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) is appealing for information after a motorcyclist died in Stockport. Officers were called to Buxton Road, Hazel Grove, at around 3:30pm yesterday (March 20) when there was a collision involving several vehicles.

“A man in his 30s who was riding a motorbike was pronounced dead at the scene attended by emergency services – our thoughts are with his family, who are being supported by specialist officers. No other injuries have been reported. Those involved in the collision are assisting officers, however currently there have been no arrests.

“If you have any information or dashcam footage of this incident which could assist the investigation, please contact SCIU on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2139-20/03/2026. Alternatively, you can call us on 101 or talk to us via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk.”

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Is the biggest march in English history a myth? My research shows King Harold sailed down to the battle of Hastings

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Is the biggest march in English history a myth? My research shows King Harold sailed down to the battle of Hastings

In 1066, England was invaded by multiple foreign powers. A northern force led by King Harald Hardrada of Norway advanced on York via the River Humber, while a southern force, led by Duke William of Normandy (later William I the Conqueror) crossed the Channel with forces from Normandy, France, Brittany and Ponthieu, and took up position at Hastings.

King Harold of England had to dash up from London to deal with the vikings, only to hurry back south again to deal with William. A distance of more than 250 miles separated his victory at Stamford Bridge (on September 25) from Battle, the site of his defeat (on October 14) at the Battle of Hastings.

His “almost miraculous” march, as one historian described it, became part of Harold’s legend. It’s now taught in schools, recreated by re-enactors and depicted in TV dramas such as the recent BBC miniseries, King and Conqueror (2025).

For some, Harold’s forced march was an incredible feat of generalship. For others, it was a fatal mistake. The conquest historian Allen Brown criticised Harold’s “reckless and impulsive haste”, while Henry Loyn accused Harold of “rashness” in undertaking a mad dash south that exhausted his men and led to his defeat at Hastings.

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Researching my new biography, Harold, Warrior King, I turned to the Latin and Old English sources. And what I found surprised me.

Tom Licence with the statue of Harold and Edith in West Marina Gardens, East Sussex.
Tom Licence, CC BY-SA

Going back to the beginning, the forces Harold had assembled that spring to counter the threat of Norman invasion were a land army and a fleet stationed on the south coast. They remained there until September 8, by which time William’s fleet had still not appeared. The land army was then sent home, and the fleet sailed to London.

According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, our most reliable contemporary account, after the fleet returned, Harold learned that Harald Hardrada was invading the north.

In 1801, the historian Sharon Turner took the Chronicle’s phrase “after the fleet came home” to indicate that the ships had all returned to their various ports. The father-figure of 1066 studies Edward Augustus Freeman agreed, and subsequent historians fell in with believing that Harold had no fleet when news of the vikings came.

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A reference to a fleet (lið) which Harold then arrayed on the River Wharfe, south of York, when advancing on the vikings, was taken to refer to some hastily gathered force.

Assertions in two early Latin accounts of the battle that Harold had sent a fleet against William at Hastings appear to have confused many historians, who had come to believe that Harold had disbanded the fleet.

It was this apparent lack of a fleet that led Freeman to surmise Harold had marched up and down the country. But Freeman was not the first to suggest this; John Milton had written of the king marching to London “in great haste” in his book History of England in 1670.

The thing scholars appear not to have recognised is that where the chronicle speaks of the fleet “coming home”, it means coming home to London. In its entry for the year 1052, the same chronicle refers to the fleet journeying “homeward to London” in this way.

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Thus, the statement that has long misled scholars into thinking Harold’s fleet was disbanded actually indicates he retained it all along.

Video: University of East Anglia.

A centuries-old error

Once I had spotted what appears to be a 200-year-old error, I was able to join the dots. The presence of a fleet on the River Wharfe now made sense, for this was the same fleet which Harold had sent up from London, having used it, we may assume, to transport troops.

And those early references to Harold sending hundreds of ships against William’s camp at Hastings indicate that he sent the ships back down to London subsequently, after the battle of Stamford Bridge.

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Furthermore, the king may have enlarged his fleet with captured viking vessels, since the chronicle states that 300 viking ships sailed into the Humber, but only 24 returned to Norway.

What, then, of the march? When I looked into the Latin and Old English texts, I was unable to find any reference to it. There are references to Harold hurrying south very quickly and to Harold “moving” his army south, but the march is missing.

A reenactment of the 1066 march.

Some scholars were so wedded to the idea of a forced march, however, that the translators of the Norman account Deeds of Duke William (circa 1071) translated the Latin phrase “returning speedily to attack you” (festinus redit in te) as “advancing against you by forced marches”.

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Freeman called the march “almost miraculous”. And such a march would be. Sailing, however, would have taken a few days and allowed the English army a chance to rest. Since the sources track the movements of the fleet but nowhere mention a march, it would appear that Harold used ships for all his operations.

If Harold used ships, of course, he cannot be accused of “reckless and impulsive haste”, and the cause of his defeat at the Battle of Hastings must be sought elsewhere.

No longer that desperate, land-locked defender as traditionally depicted, assaulted on all sides from the sea, this research shows that Harold was a seaborne commander equal to his foreign foes – and no less sophisticated in combining warfare on sea and land in England’s defence.

This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

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Five players may miss Man City vs Arsenal in Carabao Cup final after fresh Erling Haaland update

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Manchester Evening News

Manchester City meet Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and several players may miss the match at Wembley Stadium as Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have decisions to make

Manchester City could be close to having an almost fully fit squad again for the Carabao Cup final against a potential injury-affected Arsenal.

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Josko Gvardiol is the only City player that Pep Guardiola will definitely be without as the defender continues to recover from a leg fracture. Max Alleyne has also been absent from their last two matches. John Stones, Rico Lewis and Savinho have been missing recently, too. However, all three made the bench for their midweek loss to Real Madrid.

Bernardo Silva was shown a red card in that game for handball, but the ban only applies to UEFA competitions, so he remains available for the cup final.

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Pep Guardiola also sounds positive about Erling Haaland despite withdrawing the striker during the second half in midweek. He said afterwards: “Erling Haaland has no injury, he will be available against Arsenal in the cup final.”

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Guardiola added on Friday: “I’m pretty sure he’s focused, like all of us. I didn’t speak with him, we had two days off [after the Real Madrid match], but I’m pretty sure he’s ready.”

As for City’s opponents, Eberechi Eze, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are all questionable to play. The trio did not participate in Friday’s training session, but Mikel Arteta confirmed that the team will train again on Saturday.

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The former City assistant manager has not ruled out any of them returning for Sunday’s match. Eze seems the most probable to play, despite apparently sustaining a minor injury during Tuesday night’s Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

The goalscorer was substituted midway through the second half as a precautionary measure, but reassured TNT Sports afterwards: “I’m alright, I’ll be OK.” Arteta also confirmed there were no new injuries following their fixture in Germany.

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Mikel Merino remains sidelined for an extended period, with Odegaard and Timber also out. Their captain has now missed six consecutive matches due to a knee injury since appearing as a second-half substitute in the north London derby.

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Odegaard also sat out four of the five games before that, his only appearance being as a substitute against Brentford. Timber, on the other hand, was substituted before half-time in the 2-0 victory over Everton due to an ankle injury.

However, the issue seems minor as he is due to join the Netherlands for their upcoming friendlies against Ecuador and Norway. Notably absent from the Norway squad is Odegaard, while England have also selected Eze for their matches against Japan and Uruguay.

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Arteta discussed the fitness of Odegaard and Timber during Friday’s pre-match press conference. Arsenal’s manager said: “We have another training session, so the ones that are in contention hopefully can give us good news. We have another session, so let’s see if they can make it.”

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Northern Lights forecast to reappear across UK on Saturday

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Small Prophets

If you missed the display on Friday night, forecasters at the Met Office Space Weather Prediction Centre say it could be seen again on Saturday night.

They say “geomagnetic activity is expected to remain… with a chance of reaching a strong storm”.

The Northern Lights could therefore be seen across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern areas of England and Wales.

There’s also a small chance they could be seen further south.

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Cloud could spoil the view for those in Scotland and Northern Ireland but elsewhere, especially during the first part of Saturday night, there will be some clear skies.

To have a go at spotting the lights, look to the north for a faint glow at first and, if you can’t see the colours, try through a camera lens or on your phone.

Geomagnetic storms and solar flares are perfectly safe for us as we are protected from the radiation by our atmosphere, but they can interfere with technology.

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Martin Lewis says ‘demon appliance’ is ‘really expensive’ and bad for energy bills

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Daily Mirror

Finance expert Martin Lewis says people should avoid using it where possible

Personal finance expert Martin Lewis says one ‘demon appliance’ is the biggest energy guzzler in the home – and should be avoided to get bills down. Household energy bills in the UK are set to climb by £332 a year in July, experts say.Big increases in wholesale prices due to the conflict in the Middle East are set to feed through into Ofgem’s price cap. Analysts at Cornwall Insight say forecasts for the watchdog’s price cap from July to September have gone up to £1,973 a year for a typical dual fuel households.

That is an increase of £332 – or 20% on April’s cap. In advice shared last year on his BBC Radio 5 podcast – which is still relevant today – Mr Lewis highlighted one key appliance to use as infrequently as possible that might help as bills rise.

The appliance in question is the tumble dryer, which costs £1 per load. He said: “Do you know what the real ‘demon appliance’ is in most people’s houses – the one that you don’t want to use because it’s really expensive? Tumble dryers. You’re typically paying up to a quid per load so dry your clothes on an airer outside, to shorten the amount of time you’re using your tumble dryer, or avoid using it completely. Those who have dehumidifiers can take some of the moisture out of the air. It’s less wattage than a tumble dryer, so it can be more cost-effective.”

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Martin Lewis’ verdict on dehumidifiers

Mr Lewis spoke on the issue after listener Rob said he had noticed that his flat had become damp since he started drying his washing indoors. He asked: “If I were to buy a dehumidifier, would it be cheaper than using the heating to keep the place dry?”

Martin responded: “Dehumidifiers take water out of the air rather than use the heating and they’re much lower wattage appliances than standard heating. So if the dehumidifier works for you, it will definitely have lower electricity bills.”

One of the problems is radiators heating spaces which do nothing to increase the temperature and escape outside rapidly. Speaking previously on his BBC podcast, Mr Lewis said that households should consider using reflective panels behind radiators – to send the heat back into the room rather than through the wall to outside.

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He said: “A tip for you reflective panels behind radiators. Sheets of reflective material can be placed behind radiators. Crucially, this is on external wall radiators, so the heat doesn’t escape. If you don’t want to pay for those, then tin foil can work, although it doesn’t work quite as well.”

Radiator heat reflector foil

Currently a 4 metre long roll of the radiator heat reflector foil can be purchased at Screwfix for £6.39. Mr Lewis also shared other suggestions for radiators. He said: “If you’ve got radiators in rooms that you’re not using, go and turn them off before you turn the heating on so you’re not wasting cash overheating empty spaces.

“Changing the flow rate on your boiler can cut gas bill by over 9% and you won’t notice the change.” He added: “Other general tips included: “Check your TV’s on a low energy setting too and walk around your house. Be a draft detector – what drafts can you spot as you walk around your house? And then try, if you can, to seal them up.”

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Tearful Strictly Come Dancing pro supported by fans after quitting show

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Wales Online

Strictly Come Dancing professional Karen Hauer has confirmed that she’s quit the BBC show after 14 years.

Karen Hauer has announced her departure from Strictly Come Dancing after a 14-year stint.

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Karen, 43, is the longest-serving professional dancer on Strictly, having joined the cast in 2012. There were rumours that she had been dropped from the BBC programme.

However, Karen has now clarified that it was her decision to leave, stating it was “the right time”. She shared an emotional video on Instagram discussing her exit from the dance show.

In the video, she expressed: “After 14 years on Strictly Come Dancing I’ve decided it’s the right time for me to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas that I’m passionate about.

READ MORE: Alison Hammond shares bizarre Strictly confession and says ‘it was awful’READ MORE: Greg James says ‘I’m not doing it again’ after £4m Comic Relief challenge

“Strictly completely changed my life, not only as a performer and a teacher but as a human being. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people and brilliant celebrity partners who have become close friends and people I admire so much.”

She went on to say: “None of this would have been possible without the amazing fans. You’ve been there since day one when I just moved to the UK and had no idea what I was getting myself into.

“I’m so grateful you watched me grow over the years and witnessed all of my different hairstyles.

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“I’m going to miss everyone who makes the show possible. To my fellow professional dancers who I adore – I will always be cheering you on,” reports the Daily Star.

Becoming emotional, Karen concluded: “Strictly will always be in my heart. I love you all.”

Karen was showered in support from fans and co-stars, with Rylan Clark writing: “You’re amazing and you’re gonna be missed so much xxx.”

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Amber Davies said: “YOU DID THAT,” while pros Luba Mushtuk and Lauren Oakley also shared their support.

“Love you dear all the best,” Motsi Mabuse wrote, while head judge Shirley Ballas posted a series of hearts.

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who was partnered with Karen on the most recent series of Strictly, also said: “A true inspiration! Purely unique! Thank you for everything! Cant wait for the next chapter.”

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During her stint on Strictly, Karen danced with Jamie Laing, Charles Venn and late Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers.

Paying tribute to him in an It Takes Two clip months ago, she broke down in tears as she said: “It was my second year on the show and I was still quite lost on who I wanted to be on the show and how to present myself.

“He unlocked that key for me, and went, ‘This is how you have fun, Karen.’”

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She added: “He showed me how to make fun of myself, and since then, I’ve definitely taken that on board. He took care of me, and I just miss him.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

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Hidden beach with panoramic views near royal estate under two hours from Cambridge

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Cambridgeshire Live

The beach is also said to have some of the best sunsets in the county

A hidden beach that is very close to a royal estate is “perfect to walk all year-round”. Beaches are some of the most peaceful places to walk with views out over the waves.

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One beach that is only an hour and a half drive away from Cambridge is at Snettisham. This beach is considered one of Norfolk’s most secret beaches, as it’s a less touristy spot. It has beautiful unspoilt sands that feel like a dream to walk along.

Rather than a beach to sunbathe on, this is a better beach for walking as it is made up of a mixture of shingle and sand. The beach also provides some pretty panoramic views across its lagoons, salt marshes and mudflats.

If you’re looking for a romantic date location or want to see a picturesque view, the beach is the perfect place to watch the sunset. According to locals, Snettisham beach offers some of the best sunsets in Norfolk.

For anyone who likes wildlife, it is also a great spot to see some. While on a visit, people may be able to spot different types of geese at the right tide times, as well as avocets, bar-tailed godwits, and shelducks.

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The beach is also a popular place for sports, as the Snettisham Beach Sailing Club is nearby. If you visit there, you can enjoy a go at wind and kite surfing, paddle-boarding, or kayaking. There is also a busy social club.

A big draw for the beach is a royal estate only a stone’s throw away. This is the Sandringham Estate, a much-loved country retreat for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. At Sandringham, there are more than 600 acres of parkland to explore, as well as gardens on the estate.

For anyone seeking a secluded beach getaway, a visit to Snettisham beach may be worth it.

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