A man has died following an incident on the M60 in Greater Manchester – all traffic was stopped between junction 10 (Trafford Park) and 11 (Eccles) clockwise

A man in his 40s has died following an incident on the M60 in Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said officers were called to reports of concern for a person’s welfare on the motorway near the Trafford Centre.

All traffic was stopped on the clockwise carriageway between junctions 10 at Urmston and 11 at Eccles at around 7.30am on Wednesday. A large emergency services response was seen at the scene, including multiple ambulances.

In an update issued this afternoon, GMP confirmed a man in his 40s had sadly died following the incident. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The motorway remained closed for around an hour while police carried out enquiries, the Manchester Evening News reports.

For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

The 50-year-old actor is known for Kidulthood and Star Trek Into Darkness

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Noel Clarke has been charged with sex offences after five women made allegations against the actor. The 50-year-old from Kensington, central London, is accused of two counts of sexual assault, three of voyeurism and one of exposure between 2007 and 2016, and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on October 21.

Metropolitan Police confirmed the charges were brought after an investigation that began in September 2025.

Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney said: “The women connected to these charges continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

“We urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to contact police. The information you provide will be dealt with in the utmost sensitivity and we have trained investigators on hand to support you.”

Bethan David, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Noel Clarke with two counts of sexual assault, three counts of voyeurism and one count of exposure.

“This follows allegations made by five women in connection to sexual misconduct that took place between 2007 and 2016.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to do so.

“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police as they have carried out their investigation into the allegations.

“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that proceedings are now active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial. It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

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By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: 10:39 BST, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 14:17 BST, 9 September 2026

Andy Burnham today insisted he’ll be ‘relentless’ in defending the Falkland Islands as Argentina continues to ramp up sanctions over the British overseas territory.

The Prime Minister said he would ‘always respect the rights of the Falkland Islanders to choose to be British’ amid the escalating tensions with Buenos Aires.

It came after Argentina launched more sanctions against oil exploration in the South Atlantic archipelago.

Officials in Buenos Aires said they had initiated sanctions proceedings against 15 new subjects, after previously taking action against 45 people and companies last week.

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The Argentinian government has also presented a criminal complaint against Israeli energy company Navitas Petroleum and its executives for operating in the Falklands.

Javier Milei, the Argentinian President, has moved to enforce a crackdown on oil exploration around the Falklands after reiterating his country’s claim on the islands.

During Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch claimed Argentina was threatening the Falklands due to Labour’s ‘weakness’ over the Chagos Islands.

She pointed to the decision by Mr Burnham’s predecessor Keir Starmer to ‘surrender’ sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius as part of a deal estimated to be costing UK taxpayers £35billion.

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As she challenged the PM over the Government’s failure to set out when it will commit 3 per cent of GDP to defence spending, Mrs Badenoch said: ‘He won’t fund the military.

‘What he is funding though… Keir Starmer’s £35billion surrender of the Chagos Islands and its crucial military base. That is British sovereign territory.

‘This is a weak decision and it is no wonder that Argentina is now threatening the Falklands.

‘We need to project strength, we need to show that British sovereign territory is non-negotiable.’

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In response, Mr Burnham said:  ‘We will not surrender our base at Diego Garcia. We are in discussions with the US about that, we will always respect the rights of the Falkland Islanders to choose to be British.

‘That will never change under this Government, and we will be relentless in defending that.’

The renewed tensions over the Falklands have come after US President Donald Trump hinted the US would not help the UK in a future conflict over the archipelago.

But the UK Government has dismissed Mr Milei’s posturing and insisted Britain’s commitment to the Falklands is ‘absolute and unshakeable’.

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Argentina has further stoked tensions over the Falkland Islands by launching more sanctions against oil exploration in the South Atlantic archipelago

Javier Milei, the Argentinian President, has moved to enforce a crackdown on oil exploration around the Falklands after reiterating his country’s claim on the islands

Argentina this week filed the criminal complaint against several Navitas subsidiaries and partners operating in the Falklands, along with their corporate directors.

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Mr Milei’s administration alleges the firms violated Argentine law by holding oil and gas licenses issued by Britain in the North Falkland Basin.

The South American country’s government has also announced plans for new laws to intensify punitive action against firms involved in drilling activities in the Falklands.

In a 2013 referendum, the Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour and just three votes against.

Although the US is formally neutral, Washington provided support for Britain’s campaign to retake the islands after the Argentinian invasion in 1982.

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It sparked the Falklands War which saw 255 British service deaths in just over 70 bloody days. It also led to the deaths of 655 Argentinians and three Falkland Islanders.

Following a televised national address by Mr Milei last week, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said in a post on X: ‘The UK’s position on the Falkland Islands is unwavering.

‘The Islands are British and will remain so because that is the overwhelming position of the Islanders.

‘Their right of self-determination is paramount, grounded in international law and we will resolutely uphold it.’

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Kara Miller, 41, is sharing her story in the hope that others will receive an early diagnosis and get treatment as soon as possible

A woman who was told her gastrointestinal issues were “food poisoning” actually had stage three colorectal cancer.

Kara Miller first headed to the GP in September 2021 after watching Deborah James – otherwise known as BowelBabe – on morning TV urging anyone with bleeding from their back passage to get checked.

The 41-year-old was told during an over-the-phone appointment with her GP it was haemorrhoids, which she had had previously. Despite symptoms not “going away”, a family bereavement meant she carried on with life at her corporate job.

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In February 2022, Kara was recovering from a bout of Covid-19 when she began feeling “really unwell”. Despite her GP believing it to be food poisoning, Kara pushed for blood tests and a FIT test.

After a positive result, she underwent a colonoscopy in March 2022 where a mass was discovered in her rectum. Following an X-ray and MRI the following day and a CT scan, Kara was diagnosed on April 5, 2022 with stage three colorectal cancer after it had spread to her lymph nodes.

She underwent five weeks of chemoradiotherapy to shrink the 6cm-long tumour – which was obstructing 50% of her rectum – but due to her margins for surgery not being as they needed to, she required 12 weeks of chemotherapy. Despite margins still not showing as clear after treatment, surgeons went ahead with surgery to remove the tumour which was successful.

Kara was fitted with a temporary ileostomy and spent Christmas in hospital, before undergoing a further 12 weeks of chemotherapy. After nine months of her bowel being “switched off”, Kara underwent reversal surgery for her ileostomy in August 2023.

Now three years cancer-free and working as a cancer rehabilitation specialist, she is sharing her story and urging people to “advocate” when it comes to receiving a diagnosis.

Kara, from South London, told SWNS: “It was surreal. I spoke on the phone with someone at my GP surgery and they told me it was haemorrhoids and it was fine.

“I always look back on that moment and it was only a few months before I was diagnosed but for some people it takes them years to be believed,” she added. “One thing I’ve noticed and realised is you have to self-advocate. Being aware of cancer symptoms and how they present is really important to be aware of because it could effectively save your life.”

Kara continued: “I had spoken to my GP and a private gastrointestinal doctor as I had medical cover. They also told me it was probably food poisoning despite seeing the positive FIT test.

“One of the resounding comments throughout that period was I was too young. I was aware it could be cancer but it just seemed so farfetched to me.”

Kara attended a colonoscopy appointment in March 2022 and was able to witness the moment her tumour appeared on the screen whilst undergoing the procedure.

“The doctor said I’m going to take a biopsy of this,” Kara explained. “I said ‘is it cancer?’ I remember him holding my hand and slightly nodding.

“From that moment I went into total shock – I couldn’t believe it, it was an out-of-body experience.”

Kara awaited further tests to confirm her suspected diagnosis, and doctors told her on April 5, 2022 she had stage three cancer. After five weeks of chemoradiotherapy to shrink her 6cm-tumour, Kara’s margins for surgery “weren’t clear”, and she required 12 weeks of chemotherapy.

“When you have advanced cancer it starts to infiltrate the walls of the bowel and you have a thing called margins and it’s the certain degree of clearance to cut around the tumour and ensure they are not leaving anything behind,” Kara said. “The team at the hospital decided to push through with surgery anyway after that 12 weeks of chemotherapy.”

After the six-hour-long surgery, doctors managed to remove all of Kara’s tumour and she was fitted with a temporary ileostomy bag, before undergoing a further 12 weeks of chemotherapy. She underwent a reversal surgery in August 2023.

“In 2024 I started this new normal,” Kara said. “Whilst I was physically fit, I played netball internationally and I was quite strong. I would say the mental aspect after treatment and everything finished was by far harder for me than physical treatment. I was a programme director at the time of diagnosis,” she added. “I retrained once I’d finished treatment in exercise referral.

“Now I work with a charity helping individuals who have gone through long-term health conditions and cancer. It’s the first time in a long while, the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Kara went on: “My mission is to help individuals rehabilitate themselves post-cancer and help educate organisations to understand the impact of cancer on their employees and population.

“Organisations, especially large ones, have enough resources to provide support and sick leave but few people know the toll it takes during individuals’ treatment where they need the most support, but also after treatment.”

Kara started sharing her story on social media a month ago.

“I’m in awe of people going through treatment now who can document their story, I didn’t have the capacity in me to do that at the time,” she said. “I feel a great degree of responsibility and get nervous when posting stuff.

“I get people asking questions and direct messaging me. I can feel the anxiety in their voices and concern.”

Kara added. “I’m always wary of giving people medical advice as I’m not a medical professional but I always want to relay my perspective to help in some way. I always caveat this is my experience and what I’ve done but speak to your own medical team.

“Sharing your story is vulnerable, especially on social media.” You can follow Kara on TikTok @rehabbykara.

By SAM LAWLEY, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 13:20 BST, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 14:01 BST, 9 September 2026

Doctor Who star Noel Clarke has been charged with sexual offences against five women.

The actor, 50, was charged with two charges of sexual assault, three charges of voyeurism and one of exposure.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2007 and 2016 and follow an investigation which began in September 2025.

Clarke, who lives in Kensington, west London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 21.

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The shamed actor was in December declared bankrupt just months after he lost a legal battle over allegations of sexual misconduct.

The star was ordered to pay at least £3million of The Guardian publisher’s legal costs after he pursued a ‘far-fetched’ and ‘false case’ against the newspaper’s reporting of allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied.

Detective Superintendent Mike Cagney, whose team is leading the investigation, said: ‘The women connected to these charges continue to receive support from specially trained officers.

‘We urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to contact police. The information you provide will be dealt with in the utmost sensitivity and we have trained investigators on hand to support you.’

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Doctor Who star Noel Clarke has been charged with sexual offences against five women

The shamed actor, pictured, left, with David Tennant and Camille Coduri, was in December declared bankrupt

Clarke gained his career breakthrough playing Mickey Smith in Doctor Who between 2005 and 2010.

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He had success as an actor, director and writer before his career collapsed in 2021 following accusations which emerged from the Guardian investigation, which published accounts from interviews with several women he worked with.

Bethan David, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London, said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Noel Clarke with two counts of sexual assault, three counts of voyeurism and one count of exposure.

‘This follows allegations made by five women in connection to sexual misconduct that took place between 2007 and 2016.

‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to do so.

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‘We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police as they have carried out their investigation into the allegations.

‘The Crown Prosecution Service reminds everyone that proceedings are now active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.’

This is a breaking news story. More to follow. 

Kerry Harwood, 41, of Moss Bank Way, Bolton, admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to his dog, Copper, by failing to provide veterinary care for her ulcerated mammary tumour between July 6 and August 8, 2025.

The offence breaches sections 4(1) and 32(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Harwood was sentenced at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court on September 1.

He was given a community order, requiring him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work by August 31, 2027.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £114 and costs of £982.30.

The court has applied for deductions from his benefits to recover the total sum of £1,096.30.

His ban on owning dogs is suspended for 28 days to allow him to make suitable arrangements for his current pets.

There’s a real mixed bag of weather on the way with Thursday promising to be wet and breezy

After a mixed start to September Wales is set to see some heavy rainfall on Thursday across most of the country.

While Wednesday is mostly dry with the odd shower appearing now and then Thursday is set to be much wetter before we see a real mixed bag of weather over the weekend.

According to Met Office maps early on Thursday morning should be mainly dry but rain will start to fall later in the morning and then heavier in the afternoon. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter.

By 4pm large parts of south Wales including Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Powys, and Swansea will see rainfall. That could become heavier and more widespread by 5pm and 6pm before shifting east as we head later into the evening.

By 11pm most of Wales will be dry as the rain continues east into England.

Later in the week Friday should be relatively dry while Saturday could see very heavy downpours in most parts of Wales.

However Sunday is looking better with only scattered showers throughout.

According to the Met Office this is the weather we can expect in Wales from Wednesday night.

Wednesday night:

The evening will start fine with some sunshine and clear spells are likely overnight. However cloud will increase from the west with patchy rain starting to arrive by the morning. Minimum temperature 6°C.

Thursday:

Early sunshine is likely in the east on Thursday. However cloud and patchy rain will spread from the west heralding an increasingly wet and breezy afternoon. Heavier rain arriving later. Maximum temperature 18°C.

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Outlook for Friday to Sunday:

Brighter weather returns on Friday with sunshine and occasional light showers. A spell of wind and rain is likely later on Saturday ahead of brighter skies with showers on Sunday.

Prince William and his aunt Princess Anne have today joined royals from around the world at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway.

The Prince of Wales represented his father, King Charles, at the service at Oslo Cathedral, while the Princess Royal attended in a private and personal capacity as godmother of the new king, Haakon VIII.

They were joined by other European royals including King Felipe of Spain, Queen Rania of Jordan and Princess Charlene of Monaco. 

The coffin was taken from the palace to the cathedral in a procession of senior Norwegian royals including King Haakon, foreign guests and representatives from Norway’s and other parliaments. 

Haakon walked behind the coffin, draped with the red Norwegian royal standard, alongside his oldest child, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, now heir to the throne, his son Prince Sverre Magnus and his sister Princess Martha Louise.

The King’s stepson Marius Borg Hoiby, 29, who is currently serving a four-year prison sentence under house arrest at his parents’ Skaugum Estate while he appeals his conviction for two counts of rape, also joined members of the Norwegian royal family at the cathedral.

He previously joined his relatives to carry the coffin of Harald from the Royal Palace to the palace chapel last week while temporarily released, sparking fierce backlash from royal fans, many of whom strongly condemned his presence at the occasion. 

His mother, Queen Mette-Marit, who missed her husband’s swearing-in ceremony due to ‘complications’ from her recent lung transplant surgery in June, and Harald’s widow, Queen Sonja, followed the coffin in a car. 

Norway’s King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit and Queen Sonja during the funeral ceremony for King Harald V

Marius Borg Hoiby, left, arrives for the funeral of Norway’s King Harald V at Oslo Cathedral 

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The funeral ceremony for King Harald V in Oslo Cathedral

Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband Durek Verrett during the funeral

Queen Mette-Marit of Norway arrives for the funeral ceremony of late King Harald V

The casket of late King Harald V of Norway leaves the Royal Palace in a royal procession to the Cathedral in Oslo

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King Felipe of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia were among the mourners who flew into Oslo for the solemn occasion 

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky walk as part of the procession

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden also joined the procession.

Political leaders including Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were also in attendance. 

Thousands of people lined the streets of the Norwegian capital to bid a final farewell to Harald, who reigned for 35 years.

Scores of churches, libraries, cultural centers and city halls were also making big screens available for the public to watch the funeral, public broadcaster NRK reported.

A 21-gun salute rang out over the capital at the start of the funeral procession from the royal palace to Oslo Cathedral.

King Charles was not at the sombre event because under royal precedent, the sovereign does not attend funerals of other heads of state, and so the duty fell to William. 

The Prince of Wales represented his father at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican in April last year.

Meanwhile, King Charles paid tribute to his ‘dear cousin’ and ‘much-loved kinsman and friend’ after news of Harald´s death was announced.

King Haakon was joined by his daughter Crown Princess Ingrid for a final farewell to his father 

The funeral cortege making its way from the Palace to Oslo cathedral for the service 

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Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands walked behind Charlene of Monaco 

Princess Charlene of Monaco put on a sombre display as she walked alongside her husband Prince Albert

Prince William, Pavlos, Crown Prince of Greece and Princess Anne at today’s sombre occasion

Prince William travelled to Norway to represent his father, King Charles, at the service

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Prince William speaks with Spain’s Queen Sofía and Crown Prince Christian of Denmark

Prince William and Princess Anne join royals from around the world at the funeral of Harald

Norway’s Queen Sonja, King Haakon, and Queen Mette-Marit arrive at the funeral ceremony of Norway’s King Harald

Queen Mette-Marit appeared solemn at her father-in-law’s funeral

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Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco (pictured right) and Queen Rania of Jordan (pictured centre)

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at Oslo Cathedral

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, Prince William and Princess Anne follow in the procession

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, he said the monarch served the people of Norway with ‘unwavering dedication’ and guided them through times of change with ‘warmth and humility’. 

Queen Elizabeth II and King Harald were second cousins and shared the same great-grandparents, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. William and the now-Princess of Wales carried out an official tour to Norway in 2018.

The Norwegian royal house also has kinfolk in other European royal families. Harald and Haakon are related to both King Charles and Spain’s King Felipe. They´re all descendants of Queen Victoria. 

Passing away on 28 August aged 89, King Harald V was Europe’s oldest reigning sovereign. Yet, despite modernising his family’s rule over the years, he refused to step down like other ageing monarchs.

His son immediately became King Haakon VIII and last week pledged an oath of allegiance to Norway’s constitution in parliament.

Ahead of the funeral, Norwegians waited patiently to file past Harald’s coffin as it lay in state in the chapel of the royal palace in Oslo, with the queue stretching seven hours long over the weekend.

After the funeral, Harald’s coffin will be taken in a procession to the palace chapel at Akershus Castle, where the late king’s ancestors are buried.

After a private ceremony for the Norwegian royals, who will be joined by some of the foreign guests and senior Norwegian officials, it will be lowered into the crypt.

Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Denmark’s King Frederik and Queen Mary and Denmark’s Crown Prince Christian walk in the procession

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Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store bows to the coffin during the funeral ceremony

King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Crown Princess Catharina-Amalia of Netherlands finding their seats ahead of the service

Queen Letizia of Spain, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during the procession

Today, the throne’s role in Norway is largely symbolic and power lies with the elected government and parliament, but the Norwegian royal family retains a role in promoting the wealthy Scandinavian nation around the world.

Norway´s monarchy traces its origins to King Harald Fairhair in the ninth century. When Norway regained its independence from Sweden in 1905, three-quarters of voters in a national plebiscite approved restoring the monarchy.

A minute’s silence will be held across Norway at the start of the funeral ceremony. Eulogies will be delivered by Norway’s parliament speaker and prime minister, and there will be a candle-lighting ceremony with representatives of different faiths.

The government says it’s not an official holiday, but schools and workplaces could individually opt to let students and employees tune in for today’s events. The government advised that ‘noisy events should be suspended while the funeral is ongoing’. 

Earlier today, European royalty were spotted arriving at the five-star Grand Hotel in the capital after having landed at Oslo Airport.

Spain’s King Felipe was photographed exiting a bus before entering the luxury accommodation, waving at cameras as he walked on a red carpet toward the entrance of the lobby, while carrying his own beige-toned duffel bag.

Several royals also arrived at the same hotel on Tuesday, with Luxembourg’s former Grand Duke Henri, Princess Alexia of Greece, and Carlos Morales Quintana stepping off a bus, while Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko arrived in a Mercedes-Benz.

According to TV 2, many of these high-profile guests opted for shared transit later that day. A group including Felipe, Letizia, Henri, the Serbian Crown Prince couple, Prince Alois of Liechtenstein, Princess Alexia, and Queen Anne-Marie of Greece all took a bus together to the Palace. 

Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus, King Haakon, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra led the funeral procession 

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The funeral procession with Norway’s King Harald’s coffin leaves the Palace on the way to Oslo Cathedral on the day of his funeral

King Philippe of Belgium and Queen Mathilde of Belgium were among the European royals in attendance 

Abdullah II of Jordan, Queen Rania of Jordan and Princess Charlene of Monaco followed the coffin 

The coffin of His Majesty King Harald V is transported from the Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral

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After a private ceremony for the Norwegian royals, who will be joined by some of the foreign guests and senior Norwegian officials, it will be lowered into the crypt. Pictured, the King and Queen of Jordan, and the Prince and Princess of Monaco and the King and Queen of the Netherlands

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pictured centre, and Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store walk behind the coffin

Queen Sonja of Norway and Queen Mette-Marit of Norway arrive via car for the funeral together

The coffin of Norway’s King Harald is carried into Oslo Cathedral ahead of his funeral ceremony

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The casket of late King Harald V of Norway leaves the Royal Palace in a royal procession to the cathedral in Oslo

Harald’s coffin passes floral tributes and mourners in the streets of Oslo

Members of the Norwegian royal family Queen Sonja, King Haakon, Queen Mette-Marit, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Prince Sverre Magnus and Princess Martha speak with the members of the catherdral before the service

Meanwhile, Norway’s Queen Mette-Marit faces an awkward reunion with Luxembourg’s Grand Duchess Stephanie at the funeral after calling her wedding to Grand Duke Guillaume ‘deadly boring’ in an email to Jeffrey Epstein.

In an email dated October 21, 2012, Mette-Marit, 53, who has faced intense scrutiny for her friendship with the paedophile financier, wrote: ‘Boring wedding. Was like some kind of old movie. Where you know the characters are not hanging around for much long[er].’

The email was sent from a redacted address under the name ‘HKH Kronprinsessen’ after Mette-Marit and Haakon joined Harald, Queen Sonja and several European royals for the Grand Duke and Duchess’s two-day nuptials on 19 and 20 October, 2012.

Haakon’s wife was forced to apologise earlier this year when it was revealed that she exchanged dozens of emails with ‘sweetheart’ Epstein despite his conviction for soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.

After the extent of her friendship with Epstein was revealed following the release of the Epstein Files, Mette-Marit, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, issued a grovelling apology as she said the emails do ‘not represent the person I want to be’.

Harald stood by his daughter-in-law at the time as he reiterated ‘we must remember that the Crown Princess has not done anything illegal’ and that she deserved ‘credit’ for ending their friendship ‘very early’.

Fresh scandal also came in June when Mette-Marit’s son from a previous relationship, Marius, was convicted on two counts of rape and jailed for four years following a six-week trial that laid bare allegations of violence, drug abuse and sexual misconduct.

An Oslo court also found him guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, Nora Haukland, issuing threats and committing traffic offences, although he was acquitted of two other rape charges.

The 29-year-old had been charged with sexually assaulting four women who were asleep or otherwise unable to resist between 2018 and 2024.

The conviction marked a fall for Høiby, who grew up in the public eye after his mother married then-Crown Prince Haakon in 2001 when he was just four years old.

Although he does not hold a royal title or carry out official duties, he has long been closely associated with the Norwegian Royal Family.

Norway’s Prince Sverre Magnus, King Haakon VIII, Crown Princess Ingrid Alexandra, and Princess Martha Louise walk behind the coffin of King Harald V

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark

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The casket of late King Harald V of Norway leaves the Royal Palace in a procession

The coffin of Norway’s King Harald V is taken from the Palace to Oslo Cathedral

Norway’s King Haakon and members of the Royal Guard stand next to the coffin of Norway’s King Harald during his funeral in Oslo

Bishop Sunniva Gylver speaks during the funeral ceremony of Norway’s King Harald

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Speaker of the Storting Masud Gharahkhani takes to the podium during the funeral service

People gather on a street ahead of the funeral of Norway’s King Harald at Oslo Cathedral

The casket of late King Harald V of Norway leaves the Royal Palace in a royal procession

Judge Jon Sverdrup Efjestad handed down the sentence after hearing evidence linked to 40 charges, including four alleged rapes, assaults, breaches of restraining orders, drug offences and driving violations. One charge relating to a restraining-order violation was overturned.

The court heard how Høiby’s drug addiction spiralled in recent years, while investigators presented more than 800 messages and a series of self-made videos of sexual encounters as evidence during the trial.

One alleged rape took place in the basement of the family home, the court was told.

Høiby, who denied the most serious allegations while admitting to some lesser offences, was not physically present in court for the verdict and instead joined proceedings via video link.

The death of King Harald comes after he was being treated at Oslo University Hospital for haemolytic anaemia, a disorder which causes red blood cells to be destroyed at an abnormally fast rate.

It came just two years after the Norwegian suffered a similar problem while on holiday in Malaysia. That ordeal resulted in him having a pacemaker fitted.

The monarch had, however, insisted that he would never abdicate from his position due to poor health, arguing that he took a lifelong oath before ascending to the throne in 1991.

‘I stick by what I’ve always said, that I swore an oath to the Storting (Norwegian Parliament) and it is for life,’ he said previously.

However, the palace said his health had ‘deteriorated’ after he contracted an infection, with members of the Norwegian Royal Family rushing to his bedside the Thursday before his passing.

‘It is with deep grief that we announce that His Majesty King Harald has passed away,’ Norway’s Royal Court said in a statement.

‘King Harald died peacefully at Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet Friday, August 28 at 6.35am.’

Roads outside schools are often packed with cars at drop-off and pick-up time, and frazzled parents may be tempted to stop wherever they can find a space.

But the Highway Code sets out a number of places where drivers “must not stop or park”, while other restrictions depend on road markings and signs.

Here is what parents need to know before pulling up outside the school gates.

Can you park on single yellow lines outside a school?

Not necessarily.

Under Highway Code Rule 238, drivers “must not wait or park on yellow lines during the times shown on nearby signs or zone entry signs”.

Double yellow lines mean waiting is prohibited “at any time”, even if there are no upright signs.

Parents should therefore check the signs and road markings rather than assuming they can stop because other cars are parked there.

Can you stop on the school entrance markings?

This is one of the biggest things parents need to watch out for.

Drivers “must not wait or park, or stop to set down or pick up passengers, on school entrance markings when upright signs indicate a prohibition of stopping”.

That means pulling onto the marked area for a quick drop-off is not automatically allowed.

Where should parents park instead?

Walking or cycling is obviously the best option, but if you have to drive, the Highway Code says drivers should use “off-street parking areas or marked parking bays wherever possible”.

If you have to stop at the roadside, you should:

• Park with the flow of traffic rather than facing against it.
• Stop as close as possible to the side of the road.
• Switch off the engine, headlights and fog lights.
• Apply the handbrake before leaving the vehicle.
• Make sure you do not obstruct other road users.
• Check carefully before opening your door.
• Where possible, children should get out on the side next to the kerb.
• Make sure the vehicle is secure before leaving it.

Where can you NOT park near a school?

Rule 243 says drivers “should not stop or park near a school entrance”.

There are also a number of other locations where drivers should not stop or park, including:

• Anywhere that would prevent access for emergency services
• At or near a bus or tram stop or taxi rank
• On the approach to a level crossing or tramway crossing
• Opposite or within 10 metres (32 feet) of a junction, unless in an authorised parking space
• Near the brow of a hill or hump bridge
• Opposite a traffic island
• Where you would obstruct cyclists
• Where the kerb has been lowered to help wheelchair users and powered mobility vehicles
• In front of a property entrance
• On a bend
• Where you would force other traffic into a tram lane

There is an exception where a driver is forced to stop because of stationary traffic.

Can parents park on the pavement?

No. It should always be avoided as it is dangerous and makes it harder for wheelchairs and buggies to use the pavement.

In London and Scotland, “drivers must not park partially or wholly on the pavement, except in limited circumstances”.

Elsewhere, drivers “should not park on the pavement unless signs specifically permit it”.

The Highway Code warns that pavement parking can obstruct pedestrians, wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and those with prams or pushchairs.

That makes blocking the pavement outside a school particularly problematic during busy drop-off and pick-up times.

Recommended reading

What about pedestrian crossings?

Drivers “must not stop or park on a pedestrian crossing”, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines.

This is another area parents should avoid when looking for somewhere to pull up.

Can you park in a disabled or residents’ space?

Only if you are entitled to use it.

Rule 241 states that drivers “must not park in spaces reserved for specific users”, including Blue Badge holders, residents or motorcycles, unless they are entitled to do so.

Parents should not assume a space is available simply because it is empty during the school run.

What about double parking?

Leaving a car alongside another parked vehicle can cause serious obstruction.

In Scotland, drivers must not double park, except in limited circumstances.

More generally, Rule 242 says drivers must not leave a vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes “unnecessary obstruction of the road”.

Father walking his daughter to school (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The key school-run parking rule

The safest option is to avoid stopping directly outside the school gates unless the road markings and signs clearly allow it.

Drivers should look for a legal parking bay, off-street parking or another suitable place away from the entrance, then walk the remaining distance if necessary.

A quick drop-off might seem harmless, but yellow lines, school entrance markings, junctions, crossings and restricted spaces can all come with specific rules.

Checking the signs and road markings before getting out of the car can help parents avoid an unnecessary parking problem during the school run.