The secret pact between Prince William and Kate Middleton after their brief breakup, according to royal expert
Secluded on the paradise island of Desroches in the Seychelles, Kate and William filled their days with kayaking and snorkeling in the coral reefs at the five-star resort.
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Telegraph
44 minutes ago
- Telegraph
There's so much more to cruises than the Med and the Caribbean – these destinations prove it
We all know why the Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Caribbean, and Canary Islands top the Cruise Lines International Association's table of places Brits love to cruise. Never mind the prospect of sun (yes, even in the fjords), there are centuries of history, fabulous scenery, world-class cities, brilliant beaches… the list goes on. Far more intriguing are the countries languishing at the bottom of the table – the places British cruise-goers don't go. Alaska, Asia, Australasia, Africa, South America, Canada, New England, Hawaii, even close-to-home Scandinavia; between them they don't even get close to the number who flock to the Canary Islands each year. Yet they offer everything that cruising Brits love about the places they do venture, and aren't anywhere near as expensive as you'd think. Here are nine destinations that probably aren't but really should be on the cruising hit list this year. Prices are for 2025 unless noted otherwise. 1. Seychelles If you thought that this dreamy archipelago in the Indian Ocean was the preserve of the Royals and celebs, think again. Greek line Variety Cruises has year-round sailings from Mahe that won't break the bank onboard Pegasos, a small ship made for hopping between the islands. Expect sea, sun, and bone-white sand, as well as close encounters with giant tortoises, exotic birds, and a chance to spot the rare black parrot only found on Praslin Island. How to do it A 10-night Seychelles Island Odyssey trip costs from £3,274 pp, departing on October 22, 2025. Includes flights, transfers, three nights at the Savoy Resort & Spa with breakfast, and a seven-night full-board cruise. Variety Cruises (020 8324 3117) 2. Hawaii If you're picturing otherworldly lava fields, lush rainforests, Pearl Harbour (the idyllic setting for America's darkest hour), and lots of days at sea, you're right. Almost. Norwegian Cruise Line and Uncruise have all the fun stuff, but also US-flagged ships (respectively biggish and small), crewed by Americans that are allowed to sail within Hawaii under US maritime law. Translation? There are none of the days at sea that other lines spend getting to the islands from the US or Canadian west coast (10 out of 16 days with Princess). There's still a long flight to contend with – you'll have to fold yourself into a plane for 20 hours or so – but at least it gets straight to the hula action. How to do it A seven-day Hawaii: Inter-island trip costs from £1,560pp departing on December 6, 2025. Includes accommodation, meals in main dining rooms and buffet restaurants, and most entertainment and onboard activities. (0333 241 2319) 3. Baltic Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Estonia were faring OK in CLIA's chart of places the British like to cruise. But then Russia invaded Ukraine, and ships left the Baltic pronto. While some vessels have since returned, for many, the Baltic without St Petersburg (off-limits for obvious reasons) is like Hans without Gretel. That's a shame because there's so much to love about the region – be it the canals of Stockholm, Helsinki's beautiful waterfront, Tallinn's cobbled streets and conical, red-tiled roofs, or Copenhagen's easy-going vibe. What's more, they're all on our doorstep too. How to do it A 10-day Copenhagen to Stockholm trip with Oceania Cruises costs from £2,809pp, departing on July 10, 2026. Includes tips, speciality dining, and Wi-Fi. (0345 505 1920) 4. Galapagos Islands Let's face facts: a cruise around the Galapagos Islands, some 1,000km off the coast of Ecuador, is never going to be cheap. But being able to get within touching distance of birds, giant tortoises, iguanas, and other wildlife that has no fear of humans is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that's worth splashing the cash on. Ships visit two islands a day, packing in lots of different wildlife as they go. How to do it A 10-night Quito & Galapagos Outer Loop trip onboard Celebrity Flora, Celebrity's Galapagos-based vessel, costs from £6,835pp departing on November 14, 2025. Includes two nights in Quito, return flights from Ecuador to the Galapagos, and seven nights cruising with drinks, tips, and Wi-Fi. (0344 493 2043) 5. America's Great Lakes Mention a Great Lakes cruise to Americans and they'll coo 'Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island'. Bring it up with Brits and you'll be met with blank stares – unless they are one of the lucky few to have sailed them. Why don't more Brits visit Mackinac? Because they don't know about the spectacular scenery, museums (yes, we do mean all the history in Detroit's Henry Ford Museum and Cleveland's fun Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), and of course, cute Mackinaw, where visitors are transported by horse-drawn carts. Until now, that is. How to do it A 10-night Chicago to Toronto trip with Victory Cruise Lines costs from $5,799pp (£4,299pp) departing on May 10, 2026. Includes a pre-cruise hotel night, transfers, drinks, tours, and Wi-Fi. (+1 855 556 7193) 6. Australia and New Zealand Flights to New Zealand are long (it takes more than 24 hours to travel to Auckland) and pricey, but don't let that put you off. This luxurious romp with Silversea through New Zealand's North and South Islands (think culture, sheep, gannets, and wine) ends in Melbourne, where you can escape the British winter by lingering a little longer. There are iconic cities to see, epic train journeys to take, and more amazing cruises to pack in. A month Down Under is simply not enough. How to do it A 16-day Auckland to Melbourne sailing with Silversea costs from £6,600pp departing on December 16, 2025. Includes drinks, tips, most speciality dining, selected shore excursions, and Wi-Fi. (0844 251 0837) 7. Japan With so many of its great cities on or near the coast, Japan was made for cruising. In just 11 days, passengers can tick off blockbuster cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Kochi, Hiroshima, and Kagoshima, visit ancient temples, shrines, and castles, watch smoking volcanoes, and ride the country's famed bullet trains. For those nervous about navigating the country's cultural and culinary differences – never mind trying to understand the lingo – there's no better way to visit than on a cruise. You'll be able to explore ashore on guided tours by day and come 'home' to more familiar surroundings. How to do it An 11-day Japan Explorer trip costs from £1,101pp departing on March 6, 2026. Includes complimentary dining (excluding speciality restaurants) and entertainment. (0344 338 8663) 8. New England Whether because they think it is too far to travel (it's not) or will be like the old one (it's not), British cruisers are skipping New England in their droves. Boy, are they missing out. And not just on eating lobster (which is such an obsession that there's even lobster ice cream in Bar Harbor), but on seeing charming towns and cities linked to the revolution that have a familiar ring. Boston, Bath, Gloucester, Portland, Plymouth, Newport… It's like you never left home. How to do it A 14-night Grand New England Cruise from Boston with America Cruise Lines costs from £10,332pp, departing on May 31, 2026. Includes drinks, tips, selected tours, and Wi-Fi. (0800 021 3172) 9. South Africa If you love wildlife, you can't beat a cruise in South Africa. Not only are there penguins, giraffes, hippos, elephants, and, of course, the Big Five, but you can spot them all on a sailing safari. Instead of wasting time flying or on road trips, your floating hotel transports you from park to park in comfort. If that's not reason enough to entice British cruise-goers to Africa, how about the added attractions of wine-tasting and Robben Island (Nelson Mandela's former prison near Cape Town)? How to do it A 15-night Cape Town, Durban & Port Louis cruise with Azamara costs from £2,969pp departing on December 20, 2025. Includes selected drinks and tips. (03444 934016) 10. Arabian Gulf You'd think sun-starved Britons would flock to cruises around the Arabian Gulf in winter, given they offer guaranteed blue skies and warmth close-ish to home at a price that won't make you gulp. But region is languishing near the bottom of the Cruise Lines International Association (ClIA) chart and Brits are missing out on everything from exciting 4x4 dune-bashing jeep rides in the desert to wildlife safaris, souks, mosques, go-karting and a peek behind-the-scenes at Abu Dhabi's F1 circuit. How to do it A seven-night Desert Days sailing with Celestyal costs from £539 per person departing on January 31, 2026 from Doha. Includes soft drinks with meals and Wi-Fi. (0808 258 4722)
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
The ultimate holiday capsule wardrobe: Jess Cartner-Morley's 11 suitcase essentials
It is so bloody hard to pack the perfect holiday suitcase, and so deeply satisfying when you get it right. One of the few moments when I really feel like a competent grownup who has everything under control, rather than someone who is winging it and dropping plates left, right and centre, is when I manage to pack a great case. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. To not forget anything crucial, but also not overstuff to zip-busting point, gives me a sense of control in a world full of chaos, and gets my holiday off to a serene start. So, in anticipation of peak holiday season, my July edit is devoted to pieces that are worthy of your precious suitcase space. Includes: travel trousers (my current obsession), conversation-piece earrings (my perennial obsession) – and scroll to the bottom for the £80 swimsuit that will make you feel like a million dollars. Textured wide-leg trousers £25.99 at Zara I have written recently about the brilliance of trousers that are comfy enough to travel in, but also elegant enough for dinner, and this pair is a great option. A concealed elasticated waistband feels chill but looks sleek, the wide leg looks more modern than a track pant, and the textured neutral fabric elevates. You can wear these with a vest and sweatshirt to travel in, and then with a linen shirt and chunky jewellery for holiday nights. Black cashmeran and tonka fragrance paintbrush £42 at Jo Loves£42 at Space NK Hot car seats, sun cream, pine-scented walks, figs on a tree, strong morning coffee. Scent is one of the sensory pleasures of holidays, so fragrance is a must-pack for me. If I'm flying, I don't check in luggage, so liquid space is at a premium. So I'm obsessed with the brilliant marker-pen delivery system of Jo Malone's Jo Loves fragrance paintbrush. At £42 for a 7ml paintbrush with a refill, this is a good price for a classy scent. I am devoted to the vanilla-coded black cashmeran and tonka scent, which dispels all traces of Jungle Formula Maximum mosquito repellent spray (also a must, the little buggers love my ankles.) Genesis Sandal £45 at XeroFrom £53.62 at Amazon Listen, I haven't actually had a chance to try these out, but I've heard so many good reports (they were even in Vogue) that I wanted to share with you pronto. These sandals are designed for a barefoot feel, with a slim sole and minimal strapping that you adjust to fit. They weigh almost nothing, take up no space, and look really chic with a wide-leg trouser, like the Zara ones above. They come in black or stone, but I'm quite into the raspberry for a pop of colour. Pippa dress £125 at Sézane Sézane is such a smart brand. That French-girl effortless chic thing, but properly well thought out. What is brilliant about this dress is the tie-side waist, which gives a much more graceful line than a straight T-shirt dress, can be adjusted to suit you, and gives a relaxed feel that a few creases won't spoil. (I don't know about you, but I am absolutely not ironing on holiday.) It comes in fun prints (leopard!), classic black, coral red or a gorgeous soft sea blue. Pink broderie cutwork midi skirt £46 at River Island£46 at Asos This is one of the secrets of packing light: instead of taking simple basics for daytime and then snazzier pieces for evening, find pieces that do both. That means easy enough for day, fabulous enough for night. A case in point: this skirt, which you can pull on over a swimmy to walk to the beach, throw in the washing machine, and wear out in the evening with a light knit and your fave earrings. Pomegranate earrings with jade accents £123 at Wolf & Badger Pomegranates, lemons, tomatoes: all giving summer, right? Wolf & Badger is a great hub for small independent brands, and my go-to for finding unusual jewellery pieces that have real personality. Pomegranates are good luck in many cultures, and to me, they speak of holidays: the red jade seeds inside these little gold pomegranates will sparkle in golden hour light. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Black floral embroidered blouse £49 at Asos£63.75 at Nobody's Child That whole dreamy-creamy-cheesecloth pale summer blouse vibe is very seductive but those pieces have a limited shelf life: come September, they lose their allure. Nobody's Child is such a great brand – sustainable, affordable, British – and I love this dark blouse for a cooler twist on boho and the intricate floral embroidery. Vinchi Cálido tulle dress £304 at Celia B You are going to think I've gone mad, including this in a capsule wardrobe. It is, after all, a trapeze-shaped dress with trumpet sleeves, with neon ruffles in pink, red and orange on a transparent tulle base, and also £304. Basic, it is not. But! Unbuttoned, this piece by Spanish slow-fashion designer Celia Bernardo is the best cover-up on any beach, anywhere, by a country mile. Buttoned up over a nude slip, it is a sensational evening gown. And shoulder robed over a plain bright dress, it is an outfit-maker that will have your back at weddings and parties for summers to come. Look, what I'm trying to say is, I've fallen in love with it, and the heart wants what it wants. Cotton-rich textured hardware detail top £25 at M&S It's 'just' a black top, so you can wear it with anything. But it's also absolutely not 'just' a black top, because the lil textured gold knuckle at the right shoulder takes it from blah to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and the ruching to the side of the waist gives it soft structure. Raffia tote £28 at John Lewis I'm literally obsessed with them, and this is my latest must-have. The square shape and loose raffia are very Prada-coded, but the price tag – £28 – is most definitely not. Snap up without further ado. Ruched-loop scallop-stripe swimsuit £80 at John Lewis£85 at Boden The trouble with swimsuits is that usually you have to make a choice between the fun, exciting one that looks great on Instagram and the sensible, flattering one that has been designed with an actual, real body in mind. This one is a win-win. The rainbow-hued scallops are a California daydream, but the raised waist and central ruching have been well thought out to suit real-world bodies. Going on holiday soon? We want to know all your best tips: what saves your clothes from getting crumpled, how do you pack light but take everything you want, and what are your best ever holiday buys? Share all your advice by emailing us at thefilter@
Edinburgh Live
4 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Prince William's witty response when child asks 'is Prince William coming?'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince William delighted onlookers with a touch of humour during a Royal engagement. The future monarch was greeting Royal fans near Windsor Castle on May 7, 2023, just before the Coronation Concert for King Charles, when he was called over to the barrier by a young boy. The child asked him whether he had seen Prince William, as he eagerly awaited his chance to meet him. The boy's question prompted a playful response from the Prince: "Do you know when Prince William is going to come?" To which Prince William quipped: "I don't know! I don't know where he is. Have you seen him yet? Do you know where he is?". The boy speculated that perhaps Prince William was further down, mingling with the crowd, and the Prince played along, saying: "Did he go that way? He will be here any moment soon." Eventually, Prince William dropped the pretence and asked the boy if he knew who he was speaking to. The boy's guess, "The Government?", sent Prince William into fits of laughter. While conceding he might look like 'The Government', Prince William gently corrected the boy, revealing that he was indeed Prince William himself. The boy's reaction was one of disbelief as he turned to confirm with his mother, exclaiming: "Oh... He is Prince William, mummy." The crowd shared a collective chuckle and expressed their gratitude for the charming interaction before Prince William continued his engagements, leaving behind a memorable encounter. The interaction was recently reposted by Instagram user @katemiddletonprincessofwalesuk, with the caption stating: "The lovely moment between Prince William and a little boy who asks him if he knows if Prince William is going to come to greet the crowds because he is waiting for him. "William's response is the best. Don't miss the boy's reaction when he realises that he has been speaking to William all along!" Commenting on the video, one user remarked: "Darling! And I love how he didn't say, 'Prince William.' Just "William. " He's the nicest and seems so down to earth." Another user chimed in: "He is going to be a fabulous King for the People with his beautiful Queen! I hope I will be alive to see it." A third user commented: "Aww out of the mouths of Children they come out with anything and Prince William saying I'm not the Government so funny. Bless him." Yet another user added: "This is so lovely a wonderful memory for the little boy to cherish."
