Charles III and Camilla, in Everyone's Mouth | en.edatv.news, Europa Press LIFESTYLE Charles and Camilla Confirm a Serious Setback: William Must Be ConcernedThe British monarchs
confirm an unexpected setback for the heir to the throne of England03/05/2025 15:05:00h by Lena
One of the most symbolic residences of King Charles III has had to close its doors suddenly
located in Norfolk and highly valued by the monarch
due to a technical emergency that affected several areas of the property
The administration of the place communicated through social media that the cause of the closure was a breakdown in the plumbing system
The failure forced the suspension of public access to all areas
"We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding," they stated in a brief announcement
The British Monarch Is Forced to Close Sandringham | Europa PressThis situation surprised visitors and the staff itself, as Sandringham had only been open to the public for a month. In April, the king had given the green light to welcome tourists until October
inviting them to explore the heart of an estate with great historical and emotional significance
Although it hasn't been confirmed if Charles III had a visit to the property scheduled for this week
it is common for the sovereign to travel to Sandringham quite regularly
Sandringham is much more than a rural destination
where he has found refuge since he received his cancer diagnosis in early 2024
Away from the institutional environment of London
the natural surroundings of Norfolk allow him to disconnect from the palace pace
he has spent important days not only for his physical well-being but also for his emotional health
and private meetings with his advisors have made this house a key point in his recovery
The place has also allowed him to keep up with some of his duties as head of state
It was acquired in 1862 by Prince Albert as a gift for his son Edward
With more than 20,000 acres (8,000 hectares)
A famous enclave for being the setting of the traditional Christmas service of the royal family
It was also one of Queen Elizabeth II's favorite spots
Move reportedly came after drones over king’s residence sparked worries on weekend of Ukraine president’s arrival
A no-fly zone order has been put in place over the Sandringham estate after drones were spotted flying in the area last month while Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the royal residence
Security services requested the restrictions, which were put in place to protect “members of the royal family and other dignitaries”, days after King Charles hosted the Ukrainian president on 2 March at the Norfolk estate
They came into force just over a week later on 10 March
The move reportedly came after drones flying over the estate sparked a security scare on the weekend of Zelenskyy’s arrival. The Sun reported that one drone was traced to a man sitting in a car nearby and another to a photographer
Other drones reportedly remain unaccounted for
signed off on the order that restricts aircraft from flying below 2,000ft (600 metres) at Sandringham “for reasons of public safety” and to ensure the security of “royal family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House”
The order states: “These regulations impose restrictions on flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House
“In view of the need for security for members of the royal family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House and at the request of the security services
it has been agreed by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport that flying should be restricted in the vicinity of that location for reasons of public safety and security.”
visitors’ aircraft and police and emergency services are exempted from the order
Zelenskyy arrived at Sandringham House by helicopter from London last month
shortly after he attended Keir Starmer’s summit for European leaders
Sources indicated the president was warmly received
There were reports that the UK government agreed to the meeting after a request from the Ukrainian president
The two heads of state had first met in 2023 at Buckingham Palace
on the second anniversary of Russia’s full invasion
the king issued a strongly worded message of support for Ukraine
speaking of the “indescribable aggression” faced by Ukrainians and hailing the “determination and strength of the Ukrainian people”
Matt Wilkinson
A DRONE no-fly-zone has been imposed over King Charles’s home by worried spooks
Several were spotted in the sky above Sandringham ahead of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit last month
Three US air force bases nearby in Norfolk and Suffolk were also targeted by drones and mysterious lights six months ago — with Russian spies the chief suspects
The blanket 365-day ban was imposed at Sandringham within days of Zelensky’s visit after the security services raised concerns of “public safety and security”
The order has been passed for “security for members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House”
Witnesses described a major security operation around the 60-acre estate on the weekend of Zelensky’s arrival
A source said: “It prompted a security scare
The operator was tracked down and spoken to.”
Another drone was understood to have been traced to a photographer
but the source of others was still believed to be unknown
Drones and suicide aerial devices have been used to devastating effect in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
An insider said: “There were several drones over Sandringham and not all were accounted for
“Days later the total all-year round drone ban was imposed
“There have been mysterious and unexplained drone sightings at three US air bases in East Anglia where Russia has been suspected
“Zelensky visiting Charles would be of huge interest to Russian spies.”
it is understood there was a concern that Sandringham is increasingly a location for important State events
Just 24 hours after Charles’s meeting with Zelensky, the King hosted the then-outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Zelensky visiting Charles would be of huge interest to Russian spies
A previous drone ban at Sandringham ran for only three months over winter and ended the day before Zelensky arrived
The new order was signed off by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander
It states: “The Secretary of State has decided that it is necessary in the public interest to restrict flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House
having regard to the security considerations associated with this location by reason of it being the residence of members of the Royal Family.”
The order was drawn up at the request of the security services on March 6 — four days after Zelensky’s visit — and came into force on March 10
No aircraft is allowed to fly below 2,000ft within the restricted airspace for reasons of “public safety and security”
Charles’s hosting of Zelensky on March 2 was seen as a show of support, days after the president’s humiliation by Donald Trump in the Oval Office
A military helicopter carrying the Ukrainian leader descended at around 5.25pm
gathered outside the estate to try to witness his arrival
Zelensky shook hands with Charles before going inside
with royal sources saying tea was served in the Saloon room
Zelensky then departed by helicopter at 6.35pm after what he said was a “very good meeting”
The King first met Zelensky at Buckingham Palace two years ago
Charles has previously spoken of his support for Ukraine
saying it has experienced “indescribable aggression” following Russia’s “unprovoked attack on their land”
Last year he hailed the Ukrainian people’s “truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy”
There is already a no-fly zone over the Prince and Princess of Wales’ nearby country residence
Drones are also banned from flying over the King’s Balmoral estate in Scotland at any time
A no-fly zone was also placed over Windsor Castle following a security review in January 2022
Weeks earlier, Jaswant Singh Chail
climbed into the grounds with a crossbow and declared: “I’m here to kill the Queen.”
Sandringham has been the home of British monarchs since 1862
While the late Queen usually visited only in winter
Charles has been spending weekends there while being treated for cancer
His spokesman said they do not comment on security arrangements.Norfolk Police said: “During a state visit at Sandringham on Sunday March 2
a drone was seen flying by patrolling officers
The pilot was identified as a member of the media who had a conversation with officers to confirm no restrictions had been breached
Drone pilots should be aware that new legislation has now come into force which restricts flying in the vicinity of Sandringham House at all times
restrictions were in place each year between December 1 and March 1.”
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
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Two riders die in British Supersport Championship crash after 11-bike pile-up
King Charles attending a church service at Sandringham.
restaurant and courtyard facilities at Sandringham
King Charles's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk has been forced to close to visitors today due to an "emergency plumbing issue"
The royal estate has shut its doors because the toilets are not working following a burst water main in the area
The closure comes after Anglian Water reported that customers in Sandringham were experiencing "either very low water pressure or no water"
restaurant and courtyard facilities at the Norfolk estate
The Royal Estate Sandringham confirmed that while these areas remain closed
the Royal Parkland is still available for visitors to enjoy
those planning to visit the parkland should note that no toilet facilities will be open during this time
the Royal Estate Sandringham said: "The Estate is currently closed all day to visitors due to an emergency plumbing issue
Sandringham Restaurant and Courtyard Facilities
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
stating: "We're really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all."
It comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla are marking the second anniversary of their Coronation with a special tree-planting ceremony at Windsor Castle today
The royal couple will be joined by King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden for the engagement
The Swedish monarchs have travelled to Windsor Castle for the occasion
they will plant a Swedish oak tree in the Home Park of Windsor Castle
The tree was gifted to the Royal Family by the King and Queen of Sweden
The ceremony marks the second anniversary of the Coronation
which took place at Westminster Abbey in May 2023
This anniversary holds particular emotional significance for the royal couple
King Charles' Sandringham Estate in Norfolk was forced to close its doors to visitors on May 1
As per the statement from the Sandringham team
"The Estate is currently closed all day to due an emergency plumbing issue
Sandringham Restaurant and Courtyard Facilities," as quoted by Mirror
"We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding
The Royal Parkland is still available to visit
but there will be no toilet facilities open," it added
"We're really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all
This is being caused by a burst water main in your area."
It is worth mentioning that although King Charles and Queen Camilla often stay at Sandringham
the King was not present during the incident
King Charles is currently in London for a cancer support event at Buckingham Palace
Sandringham wasn’t known for Indian food at all
What will it look like in another three decades
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It would be entirely possible to pass through Sandringham in a car or bus and not notice anything unique about the section of shops in this central Auckland suburb at all
the little park at the south end of the suburb quiet
An aroma of cumin and chilli from people clutching warm takeaway containers
green smell of piles of coriander outside a small grocery store
Another look at the street will reveal why: almost every restaurant, food truck and grocery store in the area is South Asian, selling everything from soft Sri Lankan string hoppers to bubbly-skinned bitter karela to halal meat to spheres of vada inside pillowy pav buns
One of the travel agents has transliterated its name into Hindi and Sinhala on its sign
on Balmoral Road a few hundred metres away
grew up around the restaurants on Sandringham Road: his parent’s restaurant
was one of the earliest Indian restaurants on the street when it opened in 1999
while the Chai Lounge counterpart has an outpost on Karangahape Road
there were the Khyber Spice Traders across the road
a hardware shop…” he lists chirpily; I’m not the first journalist to call him asking these kind of questions
the street started to change: more and more South Asian restaurants popped up
but the increasingly Indian flavour of the suburb was undeniable
Data from the 2018 census shows that 19% of people in Sandringham arrived in New Zealand in the last 15 years
10% of people spoke Hindi and 2% of people spoke Panjabi
The number of people who identify as Hindu increased from 16% in 2006 to 19% in 2009
while the number of people who said they followed Islam decreased from 7% to 5% over the same period
“Friends from overseas come to visit and say
‘It’s like you’re walking in India,’” Akuthota says
Instead of the abstract numbers of house prices – increases to which
have been seen throughout the country – the changes to the suburb to him have felt more material
we once had a stolen scooter stashed in the dining room,” he says
Break-ins were frequent: customer’s habs and cash in the till were taken
he sees a quite different demographic – and much less frequent thefts from businesses
The people living in the area “are the ones who can’t buy housing in Freemans Bay or something,” he says
Are the social and economic forces that made it a hub for South Asian food in the 1990s going to persist as commercial rents get higher and demographics change in the area
but how did Sandringham become an undisputed hub for Indian food
offered a little uncertainly: “The temple is a huge institution
it’s an anchor point in the big city,” he says
suggesting that people come to the Bharatiya Mandir in Balmoral then pop to Sandringham
André Taber, a historian currently writing a book about the history of Chinese restaurants in New Zealand, says that the factors that led to Indian restaurants in Sandringham have something in common with Chinese restaurants on Dominion Road: immigration reform and cheaper
far more than available in most New Zealand supermarkets
Two halal butchers and the Valley Fruit and Vegetables store opened around the same time
Taber says that the first restaurant to open in 1990s Sandringham wasn’t Indian
The Doy Luang Thai restaurant opened in the 1990s
then the same site became the Fijian-Indian outlet Stans in 2001
Auckland restaurant stalwart Satya – owned by Sammy Akuthota’s parents – opened on the street
Another theory: one big outlet creates momentum that everyone else levers off
a genial taxi driver I meet in the line at vegetarian outlet Shubh on a Monday afternoon
he’s pulled into Sandringham Road after countless night shifts to find something he wants to eat
“When you’re driving a taxi every day you want something to munch,” he grins
monkey do: we’ll start a restaurant in Sandringham.”
Ah yes, Paradise: so popular there were once regular lines out the door and three outlets of the restaurant on Sandringham Road alone. With a storied history – including a split between the co-founders
who went on to form Hyderabadi buffet restaurant Barwarchi across the road – Paradise might be the first restaurant non-South Asian locals think of in Sandringham
“White people walk into Paradise and know that when they buy food it won’t be too spicy
it won’t be too crazy for them – it makes them come back,” says Mizba Mohammed
Paradise put two of its outlets up for sale last year
and is no longer as visible in Sandringham as it once was
Mohammed assures me that all is well: they’ve opened an outlet in Saudi Arabia; run a food truck called Pista House around the corner from their main site in Sandringham; and recently opened a kebab and fried chicken shop in Mission Bay
and after good responses from customers enjoying our food
he says there was “potential in Sandringham,” but it seems to him that the restaurant has played “a big role” in encouraging more food outlets in the area
“There are many more options than the ‘Kiwi’ version of Indian food
the same 20 or 30 dishes at your regular Indian takeaway.”
While food businesses have built on the momentum of each other’s success, Sandringham’s location has helped. The 2005 article looking at Sandringham in the context of migration notes its “relatively cheap housing”; it remains more affordable than nearby Kingsland or Mount Eden
Commercial rents are cheaper than CBD prices
but the area is still closer to town than areas of South Auckland with higher numbers of Indian migrants
who runs the recently-opened Healthy Bites eatery
has perhaps the most outlandish theory of all: that Sandringham’s popularity with Indian outlets could have a linguistic cause
and gram is an alternative spelling of gaon
you start thinking that it must be the Indian place,” he says
As with Malaysian restaurants in Wellington and Chinese restaurants on Dominion Road
immigration reform from 1987 helped create the circumstances for Sandringham’s flurry of South Asian food spots: running a hospitality business is an option for people who haven’t found other options for traditional employment
is why it has the reputation as the Indian hub
“Mount Roskill is basically like a Little India,” she says
“And down the road from me in Takanini there are nine Indian stores
I can always find it in the next.” Lots of Indians come to eat and shop in Sandringham
but there are Indian grocery stores dotted around Auckland
It sometimes seems to her that non-Indian New Zealanders have chosen to understand just one area of the city as being visibly Indian
instead of seeing the diversity nested within many suburbs
People on Patel’s tours are always delighted to discover how cheap lentils and spices are in Sandringham stores
and when Bollywood music comes through the speakers
she beams when she sees them trying to resist dancing
She’d love to see more “ethnic” grocery stores working to feel welcoming to people who are less familiar with the cuisine
maybe Sandringham will host more creative combinations of South Asian cuisines
Sandringham’s reputation as a South Asian hub is clearly enduring
as the 2005 article shows: businesses it mentions in the article
like a Muslim clothing store and Pacific church in an old cinema
but the sense that Sandringham is Indian has remained
but also new businesses are also coming,” says Nithya Suresh
who runs the SS Supermarket focused on South Indian groceries
While the restaurants are often the most obvious place to get Indian meals in Sandringham
the grocery stores might actually be responsible for more eating
“People might go to an Indian restaurant and think ‘that’s nice
walk out the door and there are grocery stores selling those ingredients,” says Paradise’s Mohammed
One of those grocery store’s is Suresh’s SS Supermarket; with her husband, she also runs the Madras Cafe next door. It’s mango season when I walk in
and there are crates of kesar and banganapalli mangoes cushioned in foam netting
From the bottles of coconut oil – for hair – on the shelves
to the faint buzz of the fluorescent lighting
I feel almost instantly nostalgic for the grocery stores of my childhood in India
Suresh has loyal customers around the country
who particularly come for South Indian ingredients harder to find at most North-India geared stores
Wellington or Napier will call her ahead when they’re in Auckland for a visit
She serves a customer who contemplates a mango then buys a vada he pays for with coins
“Nowadays people of all ethnicities love our Indian food,” Suresh says
She has customers bring in shopping lists from a recipe they’ve seen on a YouTube video or blog
so she prefers cooking South Indian dishes
often based on sweet-sour tamarind paste .
While her store has a wide variety of products
there’s food from the place she grew up that she still can’t get her hands on
“We can’t bring in the local food – like the food you get in the village
made with fermentation.” Sometimes her idli batter doesn’t rise to proper amounts of fluffiness in New Zealand’s cold weather
As well as the grocery stores, Sandringham has recently seen a flourishing of food trucks
This is in the spirit of how people eat in India: dhabas
stalls that can be as little as a wall and some tarpaulins
fast-to-eat food like fried noodles and frothy chai besides highways throughout the country
While Chai Wala Bhai makes vats of creamy tea and sells omelettes dotted with green chutney, and Paradise’s Pista House sells bowls of Hyderabadi haleem stew and biscuits to eat with chai just opposite, there’s a slightly different take on food trucks just down the road at Eat Love Repeat
Chef Balakrishna and his coworker are making burger patties
sprinkling them with a combination of spices (they won’t reveal exactly which ones)
The location in the corner of a grassy lot
requires some awkward teetering on a rock wall to get to the window
Food trucks have allowed more diverse kinds of South Asian cuisine into Sandringham, Balakrishna reckons: “These are desi-style burgers – it’s our best offering for the customers,” he says
He likes that the food is a little scrappier
more homemade: the spices in the burger patties are the same ones he’d use in his cooking at home
There’s also a price factor: food trucks are a lower cost of entry than a commercial lease
“People are more comfortable in these places
they will compare the price to their pocket,” Balakrishna says
The food is certainly cheap: there’s not much on the menu over $15
Balakrishna assures me that Eat Love Repeat is expanding rapidly
with another food truck in Avondale and others on the way
“People come from Hamilton even to eat our burgers,” Balakrishna says
“I think there’ll be lots more food trucks in future here.”
Even if almost all the current Sandringham Road business owners I speak to are optimistic
the South Asia flavour of the area isn’t guaranteed for the future
Sandringham wasn’t known as a location for Indian food at all – and a century ago
there was no evidence whatsoever of it even being a restaurant district
ran a general store at the current site of the Sandringham Superette from 1911
The current Smart Deal Bazaar was a Self Help supermarket in the 1960s
There were Chinese and Pacific grocery stores
a fish and chip shop run by Dalmation migrants
it seems like the face of Sandringham is changing again: until recently
the shops now hosted an outlet of the upscale chocolate and ice cream manufacturer Miann
also selling fancy desserts – although flavours like pistachio and mango feature
a pub around the corner with craft beer on tap has a menu featuring tacos
pizza and beef burgers – the only faintly South Asian element of the food on offer is a vindaloo mayonnaise
“I went [to Miann] and saw that one scoop of icecream is sold for $9 dollars
that’s not an affordable price,” says Nithya Suresh
Sandringham “definitely will change” she says
and welcomes a more “multicultural” suburb for a more diverse business ecosystem
While shopkeepers and restaurateurs are mostly positive
they acknowledge it can be difficult to keep running their businesses
“It’s been hard since last year,” says Azeem Mohammed
“People are afraid to spend money outside [their homes]
and there keeps being news that the economy is bad.” I reported this story over multiple visits to Sandringham in the afternoons and early evenings; many of the restaurants were empty
although there were steady numbers of customers in the grocery stores
a short and energetic woman who runs the Spice Magic restaurant focusing on Sri Lankan food
said their business has been hit by rapidly increasing food prices for products like cooking spray
And while Paradise’s Mizba Mohammed seems sanguine about the restaurant’s closed outlets in Sandringham and Botany
it’s notable that the new venture for the shop is fried chicken rather than their traditionally successful biryani and naan
local businesses have ideas about what could help them
Garry Patel – who incidentally also runs a car repair business in New Lynn
and has repurposed car tires as remarkably comfortable seating for his restaurant Healthy Bites – reckons the area needs more car parking
Lots of available on-street parking is used by employees driving from Avondale
Barwarchi’s Azeem Mohammed is pleased that the Sandringham Business Association is making an effort to improve lighting in the area and create some murals
thinks that one of the best ways to protect Sandrinham’s unique qualities would be to build upwards
“I love density,” he says: denser housing would mean more people living in the area
potentially cheaper housing and commercial rents
and more nearby customers for local businesses
like trying to brand the suburb as “Little India” – and to do the same for Dominion Road as “Chinatown” and the Korean hubs around Northcote as “Koreatown.” “But things change and evolve
these places can’t exist forever,” he says thoughtfully
“You can’t just brand an area when housing is changing so much.”
Newer Indian immigrants often live in South Auckland
There are two mandirs (Hindu temples) in central Manukau
and a dozen Indian food outlets in the area
Sandringham could become a secondary location for businesses thriving in South Auckland
the Sri Lankan restaurant where Sivanadhani insists on making me a frilly onion dosa
with newspapers in Sinhalaand young employees wearing cool sneakers
“We’re not so unique any more,” Sivanahani says
thinking about other Sri Lankan restaurants in the area
has been spreading the word in the local community and sharing their Instagram posts
I see several visions of Sandringham’s future unfold
the suburb’s Indian flavour was a fluke of luck
created by a confluence of factors that will never again be repeated
The South Asian visibility of the suburb will gradually fade over the next few decades
as the suburb’s relatively central location becomes increasingly desirable
Demographers predict that Auckland could add as much as 700,000 people to its population by 2038; maybe this growth will mostly be outwards
blocks of houses nibbling at the city’s northern and southern edges
while central suburbs become the domain of the very wealthy
more interested in glossy upscale eateries than Indian grocery stores and stalwart local food trucks
the Chicking fried chicken outlet on Kitchener Road and Paradise’s new expertise in that same dish will be a harbinger of a greater variety of cuisines in Sandringham
dotted among the changing combinations of South Asian restaurants as businesses close then open in new forms
Or maybe the food trucks will encourage more people to develop commercial property in the area
creating a bigger shopping district with a wider variety of food
Suresh might be able to find the “village food” she misses from her childhood in South India; perhaps Sunil and Paul’s next debate about where to find Nepali food in Auckland will feature Sandringham locations
Smoky bitter-bright karela served alongside vegetables tender out of the hangi
In all versions of the future, it’s difficult to imagine Sandringham without jugaad
a more playful parallel to New Zealand’s buttoned up “number eight wire” attitude
Akuthota’s use of sacks and beer pallets as a cheap
stylish fit-out of the Satya Chai Lounge demonstrates jugaad
So does Garry Patel’s use of tyres from his car business in his food business
a sign at the front of Healthy Bites proclaiming the “exciting seating at back side”
even if the space is oddly laid out due to its past life as a grocery store
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The royal family's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk has been forced to close to visitors on Thursday due to an emergency
The King Charles III's estate has shut its doors due to "emergency plumbing issue" as the toilets are not working in main area
the Royal Estate Sandringham said: "The Estate is currently closed all day to visitors due to an emergency plumbing issue
Sandringham Restaurant and Courtyard Facilities."
The statement continued: "We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
the Estate confirmed that the Royal Parkland is still available for visitors to enjoy
adding that no toilet facilities will be open during this time
The closure of the estate comes after customers in Sandringham were experiencing "either very low water pressure or no water"
stating: "We're really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all."
It comes as King Charles and Queen Camilla are marking the second anniversary of their Coronation with a special tree-planting ceremony at Windsor Castle on Thursday
Queen Camilla were officially crowned at Westminster Abbey in May 2023
Barry Williams opens up about portraying Greg Brady in 'The Brady Bunch'
Blake Lively talks about ongoing controversy at 'Another Simple Favor' promotion
'Beautiful Things' singer Benson Boone shares candid moments from his first-ever 'SNL' appearance
Disney backed 'Lilo & Stitch' is coming out in theatres on May 21
Queen Camilla host important guests at Palace
The former Little Mix star has been hospitalised since March for complications with her pregnancy
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Parents of children at an Auckland day care centre are furious after two toddlers walked out onto a busy city road through a door left open by a teacher
The incident is being investigated, just a week after four children escaped from a Tauranga childcare centre.
The Ministry of Education confirmed it had been notified by the Mt Eden BestStart early childhood centre about yesterday’s incident involving the pair of youngsters taking off on their own while under their care
Northern Best Start informed us that two children (toddlers) had exited the service unattended from a side door into the carpark,” said the ministry’s northern acting leader Leisa Maddix
“We have asked the service for confirmation that mitigations are in place for the door that the children left through and we will continue to work with them to gather further information and review the relevant policies and procedures
“We expect to receive a full investigation report from the service.”
She said the children were safe and parents had been notified
told the Herald the youngsters left the centre opposite Eden Park on Walters Rd and walked down nearby Sandringham Rd
BestStart northern regional manager Karen Flinn posted a statement on an internal group: “We had an incident today where a teacher accidentally left an exit door open and two children got out of the centre
they were quickly returned safely,” she said
“We take our responsibilities very seriously and we are extremely concerned that this occurred
“We have already instigated a full investigation and informed the Ministry of Education
We apologise to the parents of the children involved
“We will advise you of the outcome and any actions from the investigation.”
Several parents posted furious replies to the post
with one saying the situation was “beyond unacceptable”
“We expect a serious and immediate response
The safety of our children is not negotiable.”
Another said: “I’m really shocked that this is your response
The children were under 2 and walking down Sandringham Road
They also would have crossed the busy car park.”
Maddix said early childhood services were not required to make a report to the ministry when children left premises unattended
however “services understand the benefit of reporting and working with us to ensure the health and safety of children”
This incident occurred more than one week after four children escaped through a gate that “unexpectedly malfunctioned” at a Tauranga day care
Kids on Nineteen said the “deeply distressing” incident on December 3 was “immediately noticed” by a staff member and the children were safely returned to the centre “within minutes”
Of the 191,602 children that attended early childhood education in 2023, 69 children were reported leaving premises without the knowledge of adults.
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The King has been forced to close his Norfolk home and estate after an emergency issue with the plumbing
Sandringham House
only opened its doors to the public on 5 April for the summer season
and the visitor centre were told they were all temporarily closed after a water pipe burst in the nearby village of Dersingham
An estate spokesman said Anglian Water was working to resolve the issue
adding the issue "is not related to Sandringham itself"
A spokesperson for Anglian Water said: "Our teams are on site repairing a burst water main near Sandringham
"We’re using tankers to help get everyone back on water while we complete the repair [on Thursday] evening."
It comes just weeks after flight restrictions were placed over Sandringham for the security of royals and visiting dignitaries
The restrictions were requested by security services after drones were reportedly seen flying over the Norfolk estate on the weekend King Charles hosted the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
The estate is situated on 20,000 acres across West Norfolk and is a favourite retreat for the Royal family during the Christmas period.
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The Sandringham Dragons will once again feature heavily on draft night
with several players slated to be picked up once again
The boys from Melbourne’s bayside suburbs have dominated the Coates Talent League in recent years
winning the last three premierships and have had 26 players drafted during that time
the Dragons have had a blistering start to 2025
winning their first three matches to sit equal top of the ladder
The reigning premiers have several top line superstars such as Archie Ludowyke
Jack Dalton and Xavier Bamert however there are some lesser-known gems that could find their way onto an AFL list
One to keep an eye on from now until November’s national draft is St Kilda NGA product Kye Fincher
The Saints were outspoken last year about the price clubs pay for academy and father son picks however Fincher will ensure they need to stockpile picks to match a potential bid
The half back flanker has hit the ground running in 2025
averaging 23.3 disposals and was one of the best in Vic Metro’s under 18 trial match
“As a half back he’s really strong overhead,” Harding told SEN’s Future Stars
“We trained him as a midfielder but played him more at half-back now and I think that’s his preferred position particularly looking at an AFL career.”
Harding also floated the names of a couple of Dragons who will feature heavily for the side throughout the year as well as some who could be eligible for this month’s mid-season draft
168cm small forward just does everything right all the time," he added
“He played senior footy against men in the last couple of years
sets others up and does a lot of good stuff
Ricky will be a little cult hero if he makes it through onto an AFL list
I think he’s one that progressed really well with us last year and has added a bit more burst to his midfield game
“There’s a few 19-year-olds hopefully for the mid-season draft I’m excited about
Charlie Rozene's been terrific in the last couple of weeks
“He’s a high half forward that gets up the ground and gets back
puts on pressure and finds the ball really well
“Jhett Haeta who was a great story last year
he’s on Richmond’s VFL list this year and back to us a 19-year-old
“Jhett missed the start of the year with an injury
played really well through the middle of the year then broke his arm
“He was actually leading our best and fairest when he broke his arm and still finished third which is a remarkable effort in a premiership team that had 10 players drafted from it
The Dragons were beaten by the GWS Academy by 14 points at RSEA Park on Sunday
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Photo / SuppliedDennis Lou first established his development career delivering new builds but an experience far more personal prompted the just-completed
no-holds barred reinvention of this Sandringham transitional bungalow
When his daughter neared school age his family wanted to move to a double grammar-zoned property and heritage overlays saw them buy their own bungalow to reimagine
Dennis says: “We commissioned Jones Architects and Suzanne Allen Design to help us do that and were delighted with the result
Experiencing that helped me form a deep-seated belief in how wonderful thoroughly revitalised character homes can be
“With townhouses everything is the same but when you completely overhaul a character home it’s like an art putting all the right elements together
it takes a huge amount of energy and effort but the result can be stunning
ensuring a home which has stood for 100 years is ready for the next 100.”
Dennis used that same team of Jones Architects and Suzanne Allen Design to transform this bungalow in a quiet Sandringham cul-de-sac
This was the opposite of a minimal effort “flick”
Dennis is passionate about how his team completely remodelled and revitalised what started out as a circa 110sqm single level bungalow
“We more than doubled the size of the home
and that’s not including the addition of a new single garage out the front
We pushed out the back by about 80 or 90sqm to create the sort of open-plan living families will love and added a 70sqm upper level master suite
re-wired and re-plumbed the bungalow and I wanted only premium fixtures and fittings throughout.”
Developer Dennis Lou says: “We pushed out the back by about 80 or 90sqm to create the sort of open-plan living families will love.”
Floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open out to the westerly rear deck with louvred roof with rain sensors
Dennis retained the existing mature hedges on the level 612sqm site to add to the home’s sense of permanence
Behind the level front lawn front leadlights
fretwork and the traditional entry porch opening into an entry foyer are amongst the high-stud home’s character credentials
“We retained timber joinery but went for double-glazing throughout
Replacing flooring with wide-plank French oak adds to the ambiance in the rear living-dining-kitchen
Its floor-to-ceiling sliding doors open out to the westerly rear deck with louvred roof with rain sensors
The Suzanne Allen-designed kitchen featuring Laminam porcelain benchtops
dual Fisher & Paykel ovens and integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances has alongside it a butler's pantry/laundry with external access
Dennis included an office in the hallway’s line-up of three bedrooms
separate powder room and under-stair storage
The 70sqm upper level master suite is also a new addition to the bungalow
The Suzanne Allen-designed kitchen features Laminam porcelain benchtops
dual Fisher & Paykel ovens and integrated Fisher & Paykel appliances
Recognising some families need only three bedrooms
additional feature battening bolsters the charm in one bedroom with enclosed fireplace
should owners prefer to use it as second living
There are views over neighbouring suburbs from the upstairs’ spacious master suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite
Dennis can envisage reinventing another character home in the future but says he’d only consider one with qualities justifying so much expense and effort
proximity to St Lukes and Eden Park and great school zoning helped explain its selection
Ray White agent James Wang says: “This exquisitely reimagined home offers the opportunity to purchase a residence of outstanding quality
zoned for popular Balmoral School and Mt Albert Grammar
without paying the double grammar zone premium.”
8 Ngapawa Street in Sandringham
two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $2.45 million and
last changed hands early last year for $1.765m
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Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFacing VFL-side Sandringham
led by a pair of goals from North Launceston duo Brad Cox-Goodyer and Brandon Leary
Sandringham's Zac Greeves got the scoring underway
toe-poking a ball in the goal-square through the big sticks
The Devils were quick to reply through with Keegan Lowe kicking a classy 40 metre goal on the run
They followed with a goal less than 60 seconds later
who converted a tight snap to put the Devils in front
Brandon Leary kicked two for the Devils against Sandringham
Picture by Phillip BiggsThis time it was the Zebras who got a response
Samuel Latreille burst out of a stoppage on centre-wing
and kicked long to Oliver Moodie in a one-on-one
The Devils and Zebras once again traded goals
with Tasmania's Kai Cameron snapping a goal out of the ruck and Sandringham's Ned Maginness responded with a goal of his own after winning a high-contact free kick
Scores were even at quarter-time with neither team playing with much fluency
The second term was dominated by the Devils
thanks largely to the efforts of Cox-Goodyer in the forward half
Fletcher Hooker receives the ball for Tasmania
Picture by Phillip BiggsHe kicked his first goal of the game after taking a juggling mark on the boundary
His second of the day showed a lot more grit
barreling in going for a loose ball and earning himself a high-contact free-kick
Sandringham's lone goal for the quarter came from Flynn Gregor who reaped the benefits of disappointing Baxter Norton
The Devils' pressure was a standout in their first-half performance
not allowing the Zebras to have a lot of uncontested football
Jack Dolliver scored a goal to close out the quarter for the Devils after he marked on the goal-line
This goal gave Tasmania a 13-point lead at the main break
Kingborough talent Mitch Brouwer opened the scoring in the third with 50m set-shot
The Zebras were desperately in need of a reply and they got it from Robert Amendola who won a holding-the-ball free-kick and finished the set shot
Devils players huddled together at three-quarter-time
Picture by Ryan BentleyMuch like they did all day the Devils had an answer though
This time time it came from Josh Wolfe who won a holding free-kick in the ruck and slotted the set-shot
Sandringham's Charlie Richardson then got on the goal scorer's list
a much deserved reward for his efforts throughout the day
At this point the Devils had only allowed six scoring shots
thanks largely to North Launceston defender Theo Ives who played as the spare for much of the day
taking the Devils into three quarter-time as 29-point leaders
Sandringham's Oliver Moody made it interesting at the start of the fourth
kicking a goal from 50m to bring the margin back down to four goals
The Zebras had much of the run of play in the fourth and were taking advantage of the Devils playing more conservatively
But they couldn't put it on the scoreboard
This made Baker Smith's first goal of the game all the more costly for the Zebras
Smith would then go on to kick a second right on the full-time siren
putting the finishing touch on the Devils' first senior win
I was born and raised in Tassie and enjoy telling the stories that local sport has to offer. Contact me at ryan.bentley@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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Sandringham Farm, as in the royal estate and "much loved country retreat" for King Charles and Queen Camilla, is in need of a shepherd, according to a job advertisement on the farm's website
is about two hours north of London in the Norfolk Coast area and is a dream for any outdoor loving New Zealander with agricultural knowhow
There is of course a magnificent house and garden
the wider estate features forestry and hunting areas and there are about 2300 hectares of organic cropping
About 200 hectares of grassland is for breeding sheep and beef cattle
The lambs are sold to a premium supermarket retailer
The farm has a small herd of pedigree beef shorthorn-based sucklers (a suckler is a cow bred for meat rather than dairy)
The estate is hoping to increase the herd to 100 head of cattle in the next few years
"Day to day shepherding will form the majority of this role..." according to the job advertisement
The ideal candidate will need to uphold high animal welfare standards
be flexible and work calmly under pressure
Shepherds hoping for success with their application will need their own working dogs
a full and clean UK driving licence and have the right to work in the UK (potentially ruling out many of New Zealand's top shepherds)
Applications for the job close on 27 September
King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Sydney
The Princess of Wales talks of the importance of "simply loving and being loved" in a video with Prince William and their children
The milestone has prompted a slew of media stories and speculation back in Britain about what his future career might hold
Two men charged over the murder of dairy worker Janak Patel will be sentenced in the High Court in Auckland this morning
Frederick Hobson has pleaded guilty to the murder of Patel
while Shane Tane has pleaded guilty to an aggravated robbery charge
A third man - Henry Ford - was granted a stay of proceedings due to being terminally ill
Patel was stabbed to death while working on the evening of 23 November 2022
outside the Rose Cottage dairy in the central Auckland suburb of Sandringham
Court documents revealed Patel and his wife had only moved to Auckland a week prior to his death
to look after the Rose Cottage Superette while its owners were away in India
It was planned Hobson would enter the superette
to take cash and any other items he could manage
as well as a box of butane lighters and vapes
armed with a hockey stick from the back of the shop
Hobson put the cash register in a nearby recycling wheelie bin as Patel approached
as Patel retreated swinging the hockey stick
Court documents revealed Hobson lunged at Patel and knocked him to the ground
Hobson tried to wrestle the hockey stick from Patel's grasp
causing him to fall to the ground once again."
Patel used the wheelie bin in an attempt to get away from Hobson
He collapsed after taking five steps back towards the dairy
Hobson collected the bin and left the scene
Patel's death sparked protests by dairy owners over the safety of small businesses
while more than $100,000 was raised for his family
the Dairy and Business Owner's Group said Patel's family faced a life sentence for the hole his murderer created in their hearts
Janak Patel grabbed a hockey stick and chased his knife-wielding attacker outside
Dairy worker Janak Patel was killed outside the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham
An inquest is being carried out today on the body of the dairy stabbing victim as dairy owners plan a series of protests over Janak Patel's death
An Auckland man who murdered a newlywed shopkeeper over a money till and some butane lighters - sparking nationwide outrage over the safety of retail workers - was a homeless
Frederick Gilbert Hobson had been kicked out of Australia just six months earlier after serving a prison sentence there
Details of Hobson’s life were revealed today as the 36-year-old appeared in the High Court at Auckland for sentencing
Justice Simon Moore ordered a term of life imprisonment with a stipulation Hobson serve at least 15 years before he can apply for parole
“You killed Mr [Janak] Patel to thwart his extraordinarily brave and courageous actions,” the judge said
“I whole-heartedly apologise for my despicable behaviour,” the defendant said
“I admit I am a coward and a low-life criminal
with a drug addiction and no respect for the law
and that is something I will face on judgement day.”
He was joined in the dock by co-defendant Shane Henry Tane
who was sentenced to four-and-a-half years’ imprisonment for aggravated robbery
Tane had earlier been charged with murder but was not present when Patel was stabbed
and so was allowed to plead guilty to a lesser charge
Authorities said the duo targeted the Rose Cottage Superette, a family-run, pink-painted neighbourhood icon in Sandringham
The 34-year-old victim had just days earlier moved from Hamilton with his new wife to look after the business while its owners were overseas
he had arrived in New Zealand just months earlier
Having been just given a new position of trust - a potential step up the ladder in his dream of someday running his own business - Patel decided not to back down when Hobson
“Mr Hobson ran behind the counter of the superette
forcing his way through two closed wooden panels
and approached the cash register,” court documents state
explaining that the victim’s wife was at the front of the store and rushed to the back room in retreat
“Mr Patel then stepped out and was confronted..
by Mr Hobson holding the knife towards him in his right hand
causing Mr Patel to retreat back into the room where he came from.”
In addition to picking up the entire cash register
how Hobson appeared to have been almost “sauntering” calmly down the street when Patel emerged from the store with a hockey stick
Hobson transferred the cash register to a recycling wheelie bin that had been left on the kerb before continuing to walk away with the bin in tow
But when he heard the shopkeeper approaching
pulled his bandana back over his face and picked up a large tree branch
then turned around and aggressively advanced towards Mr Patel holding a sharp knife and the tree branch in his right hand,” court documents state
“Mr Patel retreated away from Mr Hobson then advanced towards Mr Hobson
shouting and swinging the hockey stick with force at Mr Hobson on three occasions
causing Mr Hobson to retreat to avoid being hit by the hockey stick
“Mr Hobson waited for Mr Patel to swing the hockey stick again
and lunged towards Mr Patel with the knife
Hobson knelt over the vulnerable dairy worker
held him down with his left hand and stabbed him several times in quick succession with his right
managing to get back to his feet as he wrestled Hobson for the hockey stick
causing him to fall to the ground once again,” court documents state
Mr Patel moved around the wheelie bin in an attempt to get away from Mr Hobson
“Mr Hobson approached Mr Patel once more and attempted to stab him a further time
Mr Patel managed to break free of Mr Hobson’s grasp and ran back towards the Rose Cottage Superette before collapsing after taking five steps.”
collected the wheelie bin again “and continued walking casually” away from the scene
humble and kind family man living his dream of starting a “new and exciting”
His parents had just days earlier arrived in New Zealand for what was supposed to be the “trip of a lifetime”
“He was killed for a few dollars,” his younger sister
explaining that her brother would have been so insistent about getting the till back because it didn’t belong to him
He would have felt it was a dishonour to not have enough money himself to compensate its owner
said the violent death has shattered her faith in people being basically decent
and so has my beautiful world,” Nilam Patel said
explaining that she now lives in constant fear
submitted a statement directly to the judge that she asked not be read aloud in court
“She has been hurt in a way that will leave lifelong scars,” the judge noted of the statement
“She described how her world has collapsed.”
Patel’s death sparked rallying cries from small business owners and employees for the Government to ramp up efforts to combat crime - after what many said had been years of feeling decreasingly safe in their jobs
Hundreds attended vigils and small business owners temporarily shut their doors across the country in an organised protest to highlight what has been perceived as the growing danger of operating a dairy in New Zealand
Patel’s funeral was attended by then-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and MP Mark Mitchell
who currently serves as Police Minister under National’s coalition Government
“She was so nice and friendly,” Patels sister recalled of Ardern visiting the family in their home
Crown Solicitor Alysha McClintock argued that Hobson should receive a minimum term of imprisonment of at least 17 years
She cited a provision of the Sentencing Act calling for such a term for murders committed “in the course of another serious offence” or “committed in an attempt to avoid the detection
But Defence lawyer David Young argued that the provisions didn’t apply to his client’s offending
the aggravated robbery was over,” Justice Moore explained
“You didn’t kill him to prevent him from identifying you to police.”
the fact the killing took place in the immediate aftermath of the robbery was still an important factor
ordering a similar starting point of 16 years’ imprisonment
“What you did sparked a national outcry,” he reminded the defendant
“It was a lightning rod for community backlash … It remains significant in the memory of the public.”
The judge uplifted the sentence by six months to reflect the fact he was the subject of a returning offenders order - similar to parole conditions - following his deportation from Australia and
burglary and possession of an offensive weapon
The judge then applied credits of one-and-a-half years for his guilty plea and his background
which included a 1g per day methamphetamine habit that led to his imprisonment in Australia
his addiction to heroin while in prison and the disorientation upon his reluctant return to New Zealand after many years
The judge declined to apply a separate discount for remorse
noting that in Hobson’s letter of apology he claimed he wasn’t writing it for a reduced sentence but simply to make sure Patel’s family knew about his deep shame and remorse
“I make no excuses for my actions and take full responsibility for what happened,” Hobson wrote
“From the bottom of my heart I am truly very sorry
That is something I will have to live with.”
The hearing was attended by Patel’s sister and father
as well as outspoken Dairy and Business Association chairman Sunny Kaushal
Nilam Patel emphasised that no sentence would bring her brother back
She expressed dismay that Hobson had not been more closely watched by law enforcement after his deportation from Australia
especially after he committed more crimes in New Zealand
“If he was in jail my brother would not have died,” she said
who said dairy workers still still fear for their safety
He spent yesterday at hospital with a Papatoetoe jewellery store owner who suffered serious injuries after he was hit in the head with a hammer while trying to thwart a robbery
“We are no safer as we were [at the time of Patel’s death],” he said
“New Zealand is becoming more violent day by day
also speaking to media outside the courthouse
acknowledged that the case has not only devastated the Patel family but had a nationwide impact
which was appropriate,” he said of retail safety
thanking retailers and the community for their support in the investigation
A third alleged co-defendant - 38-year-old Henry Fred, accused of being the getaway driver - was also charged with murder as a party but the Solicitor-General agreed not to prosecute the case after it was revealed he was suffering a terminal illness
Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice
He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand
Police are carrying out a scene examination at the restaurant this morning
The man who murdered Auckland dairy worker Janak Patel has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 15 years
were both sentenced in the High Court in Auckland this morning
while Tane was sentenced to four years and six months' imprisonment
A third man - Henry Ford - had already been granted a stay of proceedings due to being terminally ill
Patel was stabbed to death while working at the Rose Cottage Superette in Sandringham
Hobson's lawyer David Young read out a statment on his behalf
saying he is ashamed and deeply remorseful for taking an innocent man's life
"I have caused a lot of pain and suffering to the family and the victims
and nothing I say or do will ever fix that
That is something I will have to life with for the rest of my life," he read
His statement expressed his wishes to study while imprisoned and become a better role model for his children
"I plan to use this time wisely to do courses and rehabilitation
Justice Simon Moore accepted Hobson was remorseful and that his struggles with homelessness
and drug addiction struggles contributed to his offending
During a reading of four victim impact statements from Patel's mother
The family said their lives had been shattered after the murder of their beloved son and brother
said her brother was a wonderful uncle who put his family before himself
Patel has moved to New Zealand just one week before his death
and his sister said she was excited to have her brother in the country with her
"Janak came to New Zealand to marry the woman he loved
Patel owns a dairy in the Waikato region with her husband
She recalled receiving a call from her sister-in-law on the night Janak died
"They had only just assimilated when their world was shattered
The few moments I was on the phone with her have become flashbacks
Her frantic and scared voice remains in my memory."
she said if police had taken more action after the crime Hobson committed in Australia
While working at the dairy on th night he was killed
Patel chased down Hobson after he took the cash register
Patel was described by family and Justice Simon Moore as heroic
Detective Inspector Geoff Baber said retailers should not confront offenders and should instead focus on "coming out at the other end"
"Retailers should not be taking matters into their own hands
They are putting themselves and their customers at risk."
Baber said the sentencing was appropriate for a heinous crime that rocked the community
Justice Moore also acknowledged the murder sparked a national outcry and caused fear in the community and for other small business owners like Patel's sister
Police also released a statement after the sentencing with Baber saying: "He [Patel] was simply doing his job and should not have been subjected to the violent events that unfolded that night
"While today's sentencing brings an end to court proceedings
Janak's family will live with his absence for the rest of their lives
Police also acknowledged the wider Sandringham and retail communities
"Janak's murder had a profound impact on the Sandringham community given the superette's place in the neighbourhood," Detective Inspector Baber said
"This community also played an important role in assisting our investigation team in the days and weeks following this incident
and I would like to acknowledge this support."
He also praised the police's investigation team
"The team worked thoroughly to piece together the facts surrounding Janak's death
with his killer in custody within days," he said
Their work resulted in the three offenders being charged and made to "face the consequences of their violent actions"
An earlier court hearing was told Hobson planned to enter the superette
he wore a black bandana covering half of his face
but collapsed after taking five steps back towards the dairy
Janak Patel was killed while working on the evening of 23 November 2022 at the Rose Cottage dairy in the Auckland's Sandringham
Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis attending the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church
It will have been a particularly special service for the King and Kate Middleton, who have each suffered their own health difficulties this year. But who else was attending the service alongside the senior royals?
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images1/12Lady Louise Windsor and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh
Samir Hussein2/12Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images3/12Zara Tindall and Lena Tindall
Aaron Chown - PA Images/Getty Images4/12Samuel Chatto with his girlfriend Eleanor Ekserdjian and Arthur Chatto
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images5/12Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi with Christopher Woolf
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images6/12Savannah Phillips
Aaron Chown - PA Images/Getty Images7/12The Duke of Edinburgh, Daniel Chatto, the Princess Royal, the Earl of Snowdon and Samuel Chatto
Jordan Peck/Getty Images8/12King Charles III and Queen Camilla
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images9/12Princess Anne, the Princess Royal
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images10/12Mia Tindall
Aaron Chown - PA Images/Getty Images11/12Zara Tindall with Lena Tindall and Peter Phillips with Isla Phillips
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images12/12Lady Louise Windsor
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The royal Sandringham estate has reopened after a burst water main forced it to close last week
The estate was forced to shut on Thursday due to an “emergency plumbing issue”
restaurant and courtyard facilities all closed
play area and country park - but there were no catering or toilet facilities available
The estate was also closed on Saturday due to the burst water main in the area
craft and wood festival went ahead as planned
the issues persisted and the estate remained closed
the estate shared an update saying due to ongoing problems with the water supply and pressure
staff had to make the “difficult decision” to remain closed and they apologised “for any inconvenience caused”
an announcement confirmed that all of its “facilities will be open today” and the team “look forward to welcoming” visitors back for the last day of its festival
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Diana posed with her husband and a young Prince Harry for a 1988 post-Christmas photocall at Sandringham
Prince Andrew (center) and Princess Anne (top center) found Sandringham to be a tough environment during Christmas
former royal butler Paul Burrell tells Marie Claire that Princess Diana
No matter how much Diana dreaded going to the annual Christmas festivities, Burrell—who worked for the late princess from 1987 to 1997—says "she knew that was her duty."
"She was still a member of the Royal Family in those days and she had to grin and bear it."
Burrell, who tells Marie Claire Princess Diana would insist he spend the holiday with his own family
"She would escape it as soon as she could but there were huge personalities in there she couldn’t cope with," Burrell says of the atmosphere at Sandringham
It's no wonder Diana found it difficult; during the earlier years Burrell worked for the princess, her marriage was falling apart
Add in piles of in-laws you don't necessarily gel with and a packed schedule of activities
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Once Charles and Diana split and she no longer had to celebrate Christmas with the royals
Burell tells Marie Claire the princess would spend the holiday alone
"It’s not a day she really relished or looked forward to because she didn’t have anyone with her to enjoy that day with," he explains
He shares one particularly hilarious (and awkward) story about Diana giving Prince William a racy gag gift in his stocking "to make him blush."
Kristin ContinoSenior Royal and Celebrity EditorKristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor
She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
the Prince of Wales and Mia Tindall attend the Christmas Morning Service at Sandringham Church
Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson may not be attending the Christmas at Sandringham this year, but there are still a plethora of royal guests who will be descending on Norfolk this winter. As the Prince of Wales revealed earlier this week
the Firm are expecting a large group of friends and family to attend the festivities
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Colonel-in-Chief, 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment, visits the Regiment for a Christmas event for families at Picton Barracks
Between handing out presents and meeting with the Mercian Regiment’s mascot, 18-month-old Swaledale ram, Private Derby, Prince William also revealed that 45 royals will journey to Sandringham for Christmas this month. He was, he said, looking forward to seeing them all ‘in the same room’, considering how ‘spread out’ the family usually is.
Revisit Tatler’s September 2024 issue, where the hottest chef on the planet spoke to Harriet Kean about working for a billionaire, that scandal and butter (of course)
typically involve heart family dinners and long walks with the dogs throughout the Norfolk estate
The lucky 45 to receive an invitation can expect games of charades over lunch
and of course the traditional service at St Mary Magdalene Church
It sounds like there’ll be no room at the 2,000-acre inn when the royal family ring in Christmas day this year
And while we won’t know which of the Windsors
Tatler can reveal the most likely candidates for decking the halls at Sandringham – as well as some surprise picks for royal favourites who could well have bagged an invite
King Charles will be hosting the festivities at Sandringham for the third time this year
Hopefully Queen Camilla has an easier time of things over lunch than she did when she flambéd a figgy pudding this week: the Queen poured a jug of whiskey over the dessert before setting it alight with a cautionary ‘hold on to your hair’
and Prince LouisIt sounds like the Wales clan will all be joining Prince William for Christmas at Sandringham this year
and Prince Louis always delight the crowds on the walk to St Mary's
Unlike millions of people around the country
they have no need to tune into ITV1 to watch Kate Middleton's Together At Christmas concert
having supported the Princess in person last week
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images3/12Prince Edward
Earl of WessexThe Edinburghs have been a true rock for the royal family this year
have taken on a host of public engagements as Charles and Catherine stepped back from royal duties in the wake of their cancer diagnoses
Both of their children are also no doubt looking forward to a well-earned Christmas break
with Lady Louise Windsor finishing a year of study at St Andrews
Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images4/12Princess Anne and Sir Timothy LaurenceAnne
are also likely to be in Norfolk for the royal Christmas season
Princess Anne suffered a head injury earlier this year
Joe Giddens - PA Images/Getty Images5/12Zara and Tindall
Lena and LucasPrincess Anne's daughter
and her husband Mike are considered the ‘glue’ of the royal family
always able to bring a sense of fun to any occasion
with their daughter Mia Tindall laughing and joking with Prince George last Christmas
The Tindalls weren't able to join the Windsors at Balmoral this summer
due to Zara's intensive equestrian schedule
so no doubt they'll be eager to for a catch up
Joe Giddens - PA Images/Getty Images6/12Peter Phillips
and Harriet SperlingZara Tindall's brother
has been known to spend Christmas with his mother Princess Anne and the family at Sandringham
and this year we may even see an extra invite for his girlfriend
with Peter introducing the NHS nurse to Queen Camilla at Badminton Horse Trials
Karwai Tang7/12Lady Sarah Chatto and familyThe King's cousin
and could well bring along her family for the festive season
That would mean seats at the table for her husband
Joe Giddens - PA Images/Getty Images8/12Lady Margarita Armstrong-Jones and the Earl of SnowdonLady Margarita Armstrong-Jones looked dazzling at Sandringham last year
No doubt many royal watchers would love to see the pair return for 2024
Pool/Getty Images10/12Laura Lopes and familyAnd if Tom is invited, you'd imagine Queen Camilla put her daughter, Laura Lopes, on the guest list, too. The art collector might be joined by her husband, Harry, and their two children, Eliza and Louis
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images12/12Lady Gabriella WindsorLady Gabriella Windsor may not usually spend Christmas in Sandringham, but she has herself faced a challenging year after the death of her husband, Thomas Kingston. When Lady Gabriella attended Royal Ascot this summer, she was warmly embraced by Zara Tindall and she also attended Trooping the Colour alongside senior members of The Firm. Most recently, she joined the Middletons for Kate's carol concert.
Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Sarah, Duchess of York arrive for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham Estate
Last year saw the Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, receive an invite to Sandringham for the first time in 32 years. A glorious welcome back for Prince Andrew's ex-wife; yet this year, the couple will not be attending the Norfolk get together. Instead, they are thought to be spending the holidays in Windsor.
Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, and their children, Wolfie and Sienna
Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son Christopher Woolf attending the Christmas Day morning church service at St Mary Magdalene Church
Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are regulars at Sandringham, and in 2022, royal watchers were thrilled to see them joined by Edo's son Christopher, who is also co-parented by Princess Beatrice and Dara Huang. Nicknamed ‘Wolfie’, the youngster also joined Beatrice at Catherine's carol concert last week. However, it's now been reported the royal couple are spending the holidays with Edo's parents this year.
Princess Eugenie, Jack Brooksbank, and their children, Ernest and August
Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are festive favourites among the gathered royals at Sandringham, but we won't be seeing them join the rest of the Firm this year, along with their two children, Ernest and August. Instead, it's thought Eugenie and Jack will spend the holidays with Jack's family.
A man standing on the footpath outside an Auckland shop was struck from behind by a car full of robbers that mounted the pavement in a minute of madness that was caught on video
Four offenders made off with cash and cigarettes from the Smart Deal Bazaar in Sandringham on Friday night, despite the best efforts of passers-by who intervened to try and stop the thieves.
Footage from a camera placed outside the store showed two men standing outside just before midnight on Friday June 14, the time the store was set to close.
A grey SUV then careens into the pair, one man desperately taking evasive action as the other is caught unawares, bouncing on to the bonnet and being flung forward as the car comes to a stop.
Four offenders then leap from the car and into the shop as the man who was hit miraculously stands up and walks away.
The thieves appear seconds later with armfuls of loot.
But as they attempt to escape, two passers-by are seen running into the frame, hurling items at the thieves and their getaway car.
One of the passers-by is seen raining blows down on one offender through the open door of the car before the vehicle leaves the scene.
“The robbers took cigarettes and cash from the shop. It all happened within two minutes,” one of the store’s owners told Indian Weekender.
The owner said it was the third similar incident at the shop, which sits in the busy retail and restaurant area of Sandringham Rd and added they were not sure what injuries were suffered by the man who was hit by the car.
The NZ Indian Business Association decried the violence in a message posted on social media, asking: “Is this the new normal we are being taught to live with?”
A police spokesperson confirmed they were investigating the incident.
“A vehicle was used to gain entry to a Sandringham Road commercial property, before those in the vehicle – armed with weapons (not firearms) – took items from the store, before fleeing in the vehicle, which was stolen,” police said.
“Police have made area inquiries but have not yet located those involved – further inquiries are under way.”
Chris Marriner is an Auckland-based journalist covering trending news and social media. He joined the Herald in 2003 and previously worked in the Herald’s visual team.
Emergency services were called around 8am.
as King Charles met with outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
amid the backdrop of increasingly volatile statements about the nation from US President Donald Trump
Charles has faced calls from both sides of the Atlantic to defend the Commonwealth nation from Trump’s repeated claim that he might make Canada the 51st American state
who announced on 6 January that he would be resigning as Prime Minister
said in a statement ahead of the meeting that he would discuss with King Charles the importance of ‘standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.’ Of course
the King is expected to remain an apolitical figure amid such turmoil and has even invited Donald Trump for a second state visit to the United Kingdom
in a move that Prime Minister Keir Starmer described as ‘unprecedented’
Four Generations was shot by John Chancellor in 1899
On the desk at Sandringham is perhaps the most famous royal portrait of all time. Four Generations was taken by John Chancellor in 1899 and shows the past, present, and future of the royal family all together – four monarchs in total. Queen Victoria
in full black mourning attire after the death of her husband Prince Albert nearly four decades earlier
The desks of Sandringham are decorated with portraits of King George V and Queen Alexandra
Ruth Ellis escaped an abusive childhood to rise to the top of London's nefarious nightclub scene – but history remembers her as the last British woman to be sentenced to death after she murdered her racing driver lover. As Tatler cover star Lucy Boynton stars in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, learn the truth behind the tale
Another picture shows Charles’s great-grandfather, King George V, and Queen Mary standing outside York Cottage on the Sandringham estate
in the middle of a tenuous period of great political flux for the nation
Trudeau said ahead of the meeting that he was keen to discuss Canada's ‘independence and a nation’ in the wake of US President Donald Trump's repeated claims that he might turn the country into the 51st American state
Empress Maria Fyodorovna whose photo with her sister, Queen Alexandra, was recently seen in Sandringham
From what she loved about working on Suits to how she puts her family first, these are the most intimate details uncovered in With Love, Meghan
almost killing Maria as she ate in the dining carriage
The official portrait of King and Queen Camilla
It joins the series of historic images adorning the state rooms of Sandringham
new faces added to the centuries of royals watching on as the King undertakes the complex conversations that come with the job
King Charles's Sandringham estate has implemented a year-round drone ban following security concerns that emerged when mystery drones were spotted before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit.
A 365-day no-fly zone was established within days of Zelensky's arrival on March 2, after security services raised concerns about "public safety and security".
Witnesses described a major security operation around the 60-acre Norfolk estate over the weekend of the Ukrainian leader's visit, which had been kept secret.
The ban was implemented to ensure "security for members of the Royal Family and other dignitaries staying at or visiting Sandringham House".
King Charles's Sandringham estate has implemented a year-round drone ban following security concerns that emerged when mystery drones were spotted before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit
Several unidentified drones were detected hours before Zelensky flew in, prompting immediate security concerns.
One of the drones was traced to a man sitting in a car nearby who was not a member of the media, triggering a security alert.
"It prompted a security scare. The operator was tracked down and spoken to," a source told The Sun.
Another drone was reportedly traced to a photographer, but the source of other aerial devices remained unknown.
King Charles hosted Zelensky for tea in the Saloon room on March 2
An insider told the publication: "There were several drones over Sandringham and not all were accounted for."
The security concerns were heightened given that drones and suicide aerial devices have been used to devastating effect in Russia's war with Ukraine.
Modern technology allows explosive devices or surveillance cameras to be operated from miles away.
The timing raised further concerns as "Zelensky visiting Charles would be of huge interest to Russian spies".
The new drone ban order was signed by Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander on March 6, just four days after Zelensky's visit, and came into force on March 10.
A previous drone restriction at Sandringham had run for only three months over winter and ended the day before the Ukrainian president arrived.
The order states no aircraft is allowed to fly below 2,000ft within the restricted airspace for reasons of "public safety and security".
King Charles hosted Zelensky for tea in the Saloon room during what the Ukrainian leader later described as a "very good meeting".
King Charles and Queen Camilla began Easter celebrations at Durham Cathedral on Thursday
Just 24 hours after meeting Zelensky, the King hosted then-outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Similar no-fly zones already exist over the Prince and Princess of Wales' nearby Anmer Hall, Balmoral estate in Scotland, and Windsor Castle.
Charles has previously spoken of Ukraine experiencing "indescribable aggression" following Russia's "unprovoked attack".
'was seeming to start to accept' Camilla Parker Bowles and her ex-husband
Prince Charles' partnership before she died
Princess Diana’s experiences during the royal family's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham were far from festive
Diana often felt uneasy during these rigidly traditional gatherings
sometimes leaving early or avoiding parts of the day altogether
"When things were really not going at all well
she used to dread these royal family Christmases
she escaped even before lunch and just did the church."
Diana struggled to adapt to the royal family’s lighthearted traditions
particularly their famous gag-gift exchange
Diana thoughtfully selected meaningful presents
Receiving a toilet roll holder as a gift reportedly left Diana "mortified," amplifying her feelings of alienation
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly liked all of the royal family to adhere to Sandringham's 'archaic Christmas traditions.'
the one-time future queen wasn’t the only royal to find solace in departing early
Diana's early departures highlighted her resilience in carving out personal boundaries within a demanding royal framework
"Her struggle reflected deeper tensions between her compassionate
humanistic approach and the monarchy's formal traditions
with their strict schedules — including mandatory attendance for the Queen’s Christmas speech — often left Diana feeling isolated."
Princess of Wales in 2021's 'Spencer.'
the royal family continues many of the traditions Diana found daunting
While these customs symbolize familial unity for the Windsors
they also remind many of the People's Princess' unique approach to royal life
marked by warmth and empathy with a touch of memorable fashion
stands in sharp contrast to the detachment she often encountered combined with her "volatile emotions."
Diana’s experience resonates with those who find themselves navigating complex family dynamics during the holidays
Her Sandringham Christmas issues were explored in an Oscar-nominated performance by Kristen Stewart in 2021's Spencer
Princess Diana worked with Alan Maxwell on a family Christmas card
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An unexpected “emergency issue” has hit King Charles’s Sandringham Estate in Norfolk
GB News reported that the British Monarch’s one of the key royal residences
has been forced to shut its door to visitors due to an “Emergency plumbing issue.”
the royal manor’s toilets have not been functioning properly after a burst water main in the area
and courtyard facilities at the Norfolk estate have been impacted
The issue came to light after Anglian Water – a company that provides water supply
and sewage treatment in the East of England – reported that the area's customers were facing the problem of “either very low water pressure or no water.”
"The Estate is currently closed all day to visitors due to an emergency plumbing issue
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
"We're really sorry but some customers in Sandringham and surrounding areas may have either very low water pressure or no water at all."
Sandringham Estate has also confirmed that while all other areas will remain closed
the Royal Parkland is still open for the visitors
no toilet facilities will be available during this time
Sandringham Estate is one of the private residences of the British Royal Family and is located in Norfolk
It cover an area of more that 20,000 acres and included a grand house
has been passed down through generations of the Royal Family
who has been actively changing things around in his royal estates
unveiled a brand-new change at his beloved Sandringham Castle
On the milestone 40th birthday of the Duke of Sussex
Buckingham Palace shared a birthday wish to the royal
raising hopes of a reconciliation between the estranged father and son
Just days after sharing an unexpected ‘olive branch’ to his estranged son
the monarch launched a new item to the pop-ups at his Norfolk estate for the public
The King has now introduced a new line of booze for tourists who will be visiting the Scottish estate
Charles had launched a new ‘royal’ item to the menu for the royal restaurant to the delight of the public
beef and venison burgers at the royal restaurant
The news comes ahead of Prince Harry’s return to the UK
with Meghan Markle’s appearance still dubbed as uncertain
the first announcement related to Harry came from WellChild
of which the Duke remains a patron to since 16 years
It was revealed that Harry will be making a return to his home country by the end of September to attend its national 2024 award ceremony in London
It remains to be seen if Prince Harry and King Charles will finally meet this time around
as the last time the monarch’s “busy schedule” prevented the meeting from happening
Plan for pregnant royal go overseas for festive period scrapped after doctors advise against travel
Princess Beatrice will be joining the royal family at Sandringham this Christmas after changing her travel plans due to medical advice, it is understood.
Beatrice and her husband, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, are expecting their second child in early spring and were planning on spending the festive period overseas with his parents.
But Beatrice, 36, has been advised not to travel long distances, the PA news agency reported.
The royal baby will be a little brother or sister for the couple’s three-year-old daughter, Sienna, and Mapelli Mozzi’s son and Beatrice’s stepson, eight-year-old Wolfie.
Read moreA large number of the royal family will be guests of King Charles and Queen Camilla at Sandringham on Christmas Day
The Prince of Wales revealed recently that 45 people will be “all in one room” at the private Norfolk estate
However, Beatrice’s father, the Duke of York, is staying away amid the controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy
Last week, a high court hearing revealed that the alleged spy, Yang Tengbo
was said to have been a “close” confidant of Prince Andrew
a businessman whose identity was previously protected by an anonymity order
was named after a judge lifted the ban on Monday
Yang denied suggestions he was involved in espionage and said he had “done nothing wrong or unlawful and the concerns raised by the Home Office against me are ill-founded”
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telling you what’s happening and why it matters
Andrew’s office said he had stopped all contact with the man
whom he had met through “official channels” and with whom “nothing of a sensitive nature ever discussed”
in what will be considered as a show of solidarity for her former husband
The pair are said to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge
and her family are planning on spending Christmas with her in-laws
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The British royal family celebrated Christmas this year at Sandringham in Norfolk
and the Queen and the Princess of Wales led the pack of royal jewelry-wearers at the traditional church service at nearby St
The King and Queen hosted numerous members of their family for Christmas at Sandringham this year
For the traditional walk to church at nearby St
they were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales with their children; the Princess Royal with her children and grandchildren; the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their children; Princess Beatrice with her family; and the Earl of Snowdon and Lady Sarah Chatto with her family
Queen Camilla was elegant in green for the church service, accessorized with fabulous antique diamonds and pearls. She wore her favorite diamond and pearl drop earrings with the Greville Ivy Leaf Clips
She pinned the brooches on either side of her collar
the Cartier clip brooches were part of the famous jewelry bequest left to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother by Dame Margaret Greville
The Queen Mother gave them to her daughter
Elizabeth II wore the brooches for the rest of her very long life, and after her death, they passed into the collection of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. She wore the clips for the first time in public at a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece in February 2024
Princess Catherine sparkled in a new pair of diamond and blue topaz earrings for the church service
you’ll also spot gold and pearl necklaces peeking out from the neckline of her sweater
The Duchess of Edinburgh wore blue for Christmas
accessorized with a necklace and matching earrings
The cluster jewels appear to be part of the same coordinating suite
including a necklace with a jeweled pendant and a pair of hammered gold disc earrings
who pierced her ears for the first time earlier this year
wore a major pair of earrings on Christmas Day
The double cluster earrings appear to be set with peridots and diamonds
Peridot is the traditional birthstone for August babies
(The double cluster also looks a little like a figure 8
festive red for the Christmas church service
She added extra interest with gold and pearl earrings and a gold and pearl knot brooch
wore a pair of gold statement earrings with her eggplant-colored coat and head ornament for the traditional church service
has been remarkably good at evading the cameras lately
This little glimpse is the best I can do at the moment
She appears to be wearing diamond earrings for the day
Categories // united kingdom
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It comes as an alleged Chinese spy who the Duke of York was linked to has been named as Yang Tengbo
The businessman, who previously could be referred to only as H6, was banned from the UK in 2023 by a semi-secret national security court
Yang, who agreed to have his anonymity lifted, said he had done "nothing wrong or unlawful" and descriptions of him as an alleged spy were "entirely untrue" - read his full statement here
Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith earlier warned his presence was "the tip of the iceberg" in the UK
A master's degree in York, a travel business in the UK, and then a ban from the country - read a timeline of Yang's case here
Prince Andrew stands next to Chinese businessman Yang Tengbo in a video published five years ago
We began the afternoon only knowing the alleged Chinese spy who was banned from the UK in 2023 - and who had links to the Duke of York - as "H6"
a 50-year-old businessman with a master's degree from the University of York who founded a "travel services" business in the UK back in 2005
The suspected spy - who also goes by Chris Yang - was granted indefinite leave to remain back in 2013
then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman banned Yang from the country
writing in her decision that he was "not deemed to be conducive to the public good”
Yang, who agreed to have his anonymity lifted, said in a statement today that he's done "nothing wrong" and descriptions of him as an alleged spy were "entirely untrue"
Shortly after the suspected spy was identified, royal sources told the BBC that Prince Andrew - who has been described as forming an "unusual degree of trust" with Yang - will not join the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas.
We're going to be ending our coverage for the day, but you can continue digging into this story by reading our main news story or checking out this explainer that explores who Yang is and how he is linked to Prince Andrew
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhat is the United Front Work Department
China's 'magic weapon'?published at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202418:32 GMT 16 December 2024Image source
we reported on how Yang Tengbo had been banned from visiting the UK because of alleged associations with a group known as the United Front - a branch of the Chinese Communist Party
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingWhy Prince Andrew's relationship with a Chinese businessman is driving headlinespublished at 18:15 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202418:15 GMT 16 December 2024Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondent
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingA look at the 'unusual' trust between alleged spy and Prince Andrewpublished at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202417:58 GMT 16 December 2024The relationship between Yang Tengbo
the alleged spy with links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
and Prince Andrew developed at a time when the Duke of York was under "considerable pressure"
That pressure may have made Prince Andrew "vulnerable to the misuse of that sort of influence," they wrote in their judgement
The judges said Yang had enjoyed an "unusual degree of trust from a senior member of the Royal Family"
The Home Office previously said that they believed Yang was engaged in activity on behalf of the CCP and that his relationship with Prince Andrew could be political interference
The prince came under fire in 2019 because of his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
In November 2019, Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties amid growing public anger about his friendship with Epstein
Questions were subsequently raised about his finances after he reached a settlement - believed to run into the millions - in a civil sexual assault case brought against him by Virginia Giuffre
The prince has always denied assaulting Giuffre
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRoyal Family hopes to avoid distraction on Christmas Daypublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202417:35 GMT 16 December 2024Sean CoughlanRoyal correspondent
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSarah Ferguson to spend Christmas with Prince Andrew at Royal Lodgepublished at 17:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202417:25 GMT 16 December 2024Sarah
will also not be joining the Royal Family at Sandringham for Christmas
She and her ex-husband Prince Andrew are thought to be preparing to spend the day together at Royal Lodge
We don't yet know whether Prince Andrew and his ex-wife will attend King Charles III's traditional pre-Christmas lunch for the extended family at Buckingham Palace on Thursday
have already planned to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingSpy allegations 'not worth refuting'
Beijing sayspublished at 17:12 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202417:12 GMT 16 December 2024In a statement
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that Beijing has "always acted with dignity and honesty
and never engaged in any deception or interference"
It is not worth refuting this kind of unjust hype for itself and others."
China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingChina rejects 'baseless' spying accusationspublished at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:58 GMT 16 December 2024Laura BickerChina correspondent
“I’d rather not comment on these baseless narratives,” says spokesperson Lin Jian
attended "two sessions" - the annual meetings of the national legislature and the top political advisory body - in both 2019 and 2020
Yang Tengbo stands in front of a government building in Beijing
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingCourt told Yang his ask to remain anonymous could not outweigh public interestpublished at 16:40 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:40 GMT 16 December 2024Dominic CascianiHome and Legal Correspondent
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFamily hope Prince Andrew will 'honourably withdraw' from Christmas eventspublished at 16:25 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:25 GMT 16 December 2024BreakingDaniela RelphSenior royal correspondent
Palace sources say there is a hope that the Duke of York will "honourably withdraw” from all family events this year to avoid being a distraction
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingPrince Andrew won't join royals at Sandringham for Christmaspublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:20 GMT 16 December 2024BreakingSean CoughlanRoyal correspondent
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingFive key takeaways from urgent question on Chinese influence in the UKpublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:19 GMT 16 December 2024Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve just heard:
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingUK intends to implement foreign influence scheme
Jarvis sayspublished at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:14 GMT 16 December 2024Responding to Braverman
Jarvis suggests that the previous Conservative government had the opportunity to implement a foreign influence scheme
"It is a statement of fact" he says
adding that the government had "many months" after the National Security Act was passed when they could have implemented a scheme
He says it now falls on the Labour Party to do so
and adds that this is precisely what the current government intends to do
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingBraverman: Is the government serious about tackling Chinese threat?published at 16:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:11 GMT 16 December 2024Image source
UK ParliamentThe former home secretary who made the initial decision to ban Yang Tengbo from the UK
says she made the decision based on advice from MI5 and is glad to see it upheld by the court
public outcry and opposition MPs dragging the minister to the chamber to get the government to implement the foreign influence registry scheme
If the government is serious about tackling the Chinese threat
when will it list China in the enhanced tier of the scheme
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharing'At least he didn’t take him to the pub for a pint'published at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202416:02 GMT 16 December 2024Jarvis says he disagrees with Philp’s characterisation of Starmer’s relationship with Xi
“I would just say very gently to him: At least he didn’t take him to the pub for a pint.”
The comment appears to be a reference to former Prime Minister David Cameron’s trip with Xi to a local pub for a pint during the Chinese president’s 2015 state visit
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingShould Starmer re-consider position on UK-China relations?published at 15:59 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202415:59 GMT 16 December 2024Image source
is up next with a wide-ranging question on UK-China relations
He asks whether Jarvis would now consider expediting the implementation of the foreign influence registration scheme
the opposition MP asks for a review of the "wisdom" of Starmer's stated desire to form positive relations with China
suggesting that it may not be "very wise" in light of today's events
Starmer emphasised the importance of a "strong UK-China relationship" during the first in-person meeting between a UK prime minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping since 2018
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingForeign influence registration update coming 'in due course'published at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202415:55 GMT 16 December 2024Jarvis responds to Duncan Smith's question by saying first that the foreign influence registration scheme was not ready to be implemented under the previous government
but that the Labour government is working "at pace" to implement it - likely to happen in the summer
He adds that work is also under way to work out which foreign powers will be placed on the enhanced tier of the scheme "based on robust security and intelligence analysis"
He says that he and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will set out the government's approach "in due course"
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingYang was 'not a lone wolf'
says Duncan Smithpublished at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202415:51 GMT 16 December 2024Duncan Smith continues with his questions
but one of 40,000 members of the United Front Works Department
“Will the minister accept that China is the UK’s most prominent security threat?” he asks
Moving his questions towards Yang’s relationship with Prince Andrew
Duncan Smith queries "how was it that somebody known to security forces was allowed to get so close to the royals without scrutiny"
Shareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingUK has 'strategic' approach to combatting Chinese influence
Jarvis sayspublished at 15:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 December 202415:49 GMT 16 December 2024Dan Jarvis continues by setting out some of the UK government's response to ongoing threats from foreign actors
He cites the National Security Act 2023 and says this measure is central to protection against other states' "hostile acts"
Jarvis says that six individuals have been charged under the law to date
the alleged Chinese spy named earlier today
has not been charged with any criminal offence
Jarvis adds that the government has also set out an approach to China which will be "consistent" and "strategic"
He says this includes challenging the country
but also co-operating on matters like climate change
The Home Office minister goes on to say that the threats the UK faces are "pernicious" and "complex"
before paying tribute to the work of security services
The bond centre said Rebecca Jane Allcock did not lodge bonds properly for tenancies in question
An Auckland landlord has been ordered to pay $14,720 in damages on behalf of four tenants
The Tenancy Tribunal found Rebecca Jane Allcock failed to lodge bonds
and did not supply the required insulation
healthy homes and insurance statements with tenancy agreements
The properties were at Busby St in Blockhouse Bay
Allcock was director of Mirror Jellies Ltd
“The landlord’s business model involved the landlord entering into tenancy agreements to rent properties which she then sublet to tenants on a room-by-room basis,” tribunal adjudicator Hannah Cheeseman said in a newly published decision
and Employment (MBIE) alleged Allcock breached the act in relation to five tenancies
Allcock’s property management company entered into tenancy agreements to lease four properties which were sublet to tenants
One former tenant said he had lived at 128 Haverstock Rd with seven other tenants in a six-bedroom property
The occupants of the address shared a bathroom
The tribunal said that tenant did not receive insulation
or healthy home statements during his tenancy
but did have his bond returned when he left
Allcock told the Tenancy Compliance and Investigations Team she did not accept that she was a landlord for the purposes of the act
as the tenants were in a flat-sharing arrangement
But the Tenancy Tribunal found Allcock did not live in any of the premises as she had claimed and so she was required to meet her obligations under the act
The tribunal found tenants signed agreements with multiple illegal clauses - such as agreeing not to lodge the bond
Ms Allcock was also found to have committed unlawful acts by not providing the required insulation
Healthy Homes Standards (HHS) and insurance statements in the tenancy agreements,” MBIE added
“She was put on notice of concerns the tribunal had as far back as 17 September 2021
and encouraged to seek legal advice,” tribunal adjudicator Hannah Cheeseman said
Allcock was ordered to pay $14,720.44 and issued with a three-year “restraining order” which means if she breaches the same tenancy rules again her penalty will be increased by up to $3600
The tribunal ordered suppression for all the tenants’ names and identifying details
The full list of NZME board nominations has been released by the media firm today.