
EXCLUSIVE Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos rumoured to be setting sail for 'the White Lotus Four Seasons San Domenico Palace in Sicily' after their £40m three-day wedding celebrations in Venice
Following their glamorous multi-day, multi-million dollar wedding celebrations in Venice, newlyweds Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez are now heading on their equally lavish honeymoon.
Sources suggest the billionaire couple will enjoy a luxurious trip as they take their first holiday as husband and wife.
Though the details have not yet been confirmed, it is believed they will have stayed in the area of Torcello to enjoy lunch, before heading to Nicelli airport.
There, the luxury travel will continue, with the pair said to be journeyed in a helicopter back to Bezos' $500 million superyacht, 'Koru,' the crown jewel of sailing yachts.
The plan is for the impressive vessel to move on to Taormina in Sicily, according to The Daily Mail's Chief Showbusiness Writer Alison Boshoff. Bezos fell in love with the town last year when the couple sailed along Sicily's coast and the Aeolian Islands.
The belief is that he and Lauren will anchor in Taormina and spend time at the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace – famous for being the host hotel for The White Lotus, season two.
The hotel, where a suite can cost upwards of €7,000 a night, is in the Sicilian hilltop town, beside the Ionian Sea and below an active volcano called Mount Etna. It is located near vineyards, an ancient Greek theatre, and medieval villages.
Earlier, the beaming newlyweds were snapped waving goodbye as they left the Aman Venice hotel by boat on Sunday after their three-day wedding extravaganza.
While the details of the honeymoon are unconfirmed, it's believed the couple will stay at the luxurious Four Seasons San Domenico Palace (pictured) on Sicily - which was featured in the second season of The White Lotus
Lauren stunned in a loose-fitting sleeveless white dress with an elegant drape as the Italian sun shined down on her. She completed the look with a wide-brimmed black hat and oversized black shades.
Meanwhile, her husband kept it casual after a weekend of formal looks, opting for a navy t-shirt to keep cool in the summer heat.
If the couple are heading to the Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, it is a luxury Italian hotel which has its own rich history - which includes an impressive rota of famous guests including Oscar Wilde.
The hotel was bequeathed to the San Dominican religious order by Baron Damiano Rosso d'Altavilla, a benefactor of the order, who had turned to the monastic life himself. The order received the building in 1430, five years after the Baron's death.
After the convent was established in the building, retaining a small community which never exceeded 40, over the coming centuries.
Then, some 400 years later in 1866, a law was passed by the Italian state in an effort to suppress religious orders and confiscate their assets.
State representatives came to confiscate the building, and despite there being only one monk there, Vincenzo Bottari Cacciola, they had to use force to take the keys as he was not willing to hand it over.
Vincenzo went on to unearth an ancient document that had been kept in secret by the brothers - Damiano Rosso's will.
Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy , on Friday
As the will stated that the building had only been lent to the Dominicans, this meant it could not be requisitioned by the state, so the monk approached a descendant of Damiano Rosso, Prince Cerami, who reacquired ownership rights to the convent.
It was Prince Cerami's vision to transform the convent into a hotel, and his addition of a large wing in the Liberty architectural style, ensured the building's status as one of Europe's first grand hotels.
With Taormina becoming a fashionable location for European tourists at the time, with the town known for its wild parties and a liberal sexual atmosphere, the hotel became a renowned global destination.
High profile guests visited through the early 1900s, including King Edward VII the second, Baron Rothschild, Oscar Wilde and DH Lawrence.
The hotel's fortunes took a turn in 1943, when it was bombed by the Allies while being used as a headquarters by the German army.
It was several years until the hotel was reopened, in 1926, after the convent, which was almost totally destroyed during the war.
Upon its reopening, it hosted many lavish parties. By the 1950s, many of the most famous stage and screen visited the location, including Greta Garbo, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren.
More recently, the hotel hosted political leaders for a G7 summit meeting in 2017 - but most people now associate it with the White Lotus franchise.
Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy, on Friday.
The nuptials began on Thursday with the first of three days of parties in Venice, followed by the intimate ceremony on Friday and then a star-studded rave.
Around 200 of the world's wealthiest people were gathering for a final night's fun, and many of the VIP guests were spotted bidding goodbye to the Italian city the following morning.
The party appeared to have a pyjamas and masked ball theme, with music from Usher and popular US DJ Cassidy.
Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio led the star-studded departures from Venice on Sunday morning, following the final party on Saturday night of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez 's three-day wedding extravaganza.
Kylie commanded attention as she made her departure, sporting a leopard print top and matching tight-fitted jeans as she climbed into a waiting water taxi.
The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip.
Described as the 'wedding of a century,' the 61-year-old Amazon founder and the former journalist, 55, exchanged vows in front of nearly 200 VIPs on San Giorgio Maggiore island in Venice, Italy , on Friday (Orlando pictured)
The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip
While sister Kendall also was seen making her way down the dock, looking effortlessly styling in a lowcut tank top, capri pants and the latest footwear trend - jelly sandals.
Following behind her was Hollywood stars Orlando, 48, and Leo, 50, who jumped into a water taxi alongside Leo's model girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 27.
Orlando flashed a wide grin as he climbed in the boat, wearing a button-up shirt left open to reveal a white vest underneath and several pendant necklaces.
Hollywood's newest bachelor embraced his new single status on the Italian getaway, coming just after news broke that he and his fiancée Katy Perry, 40, had called off their engagement.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star was spotted in the back of a Venetian water taxi with a woman on Thursday, who was later revealed to be Jamie Mizrahi, 36, who was actually a former stylist for Katy and Meghan Markle.
Orlando was also spotted enjoying a Venetian brunch the following morning and sipping on cocktails poolside with celebrity pals Leo and Tom Brady during a boys' day out.
While Leo continued his attempts to go unrecognisable as he left for the airport, pulling his trademark baseball cap down as low as possible, and adding the hood of his zip-up jumper over the top, to cover as much of his famous face as possible.
In contrast, girlfriend Vittoria put on a leggy display in a fashionable summer minidress, as she received a helping hand onto the boat.
The model added a pair of trendy black sunglasses, and was spotted standing at the back of the boat as it sped to the mainland, chatting to Orlando.
NFL legend Tom appeared to make his exit at the same time, looking relaxed in a green T-shirt and black cargo pants.
The makeup mogul looked ever the doting mother as she walked hand-in-hand with her seven-year-old daughter Stormi, who she brought along on the lavish trip
Kylie and Kendall's mother Kris Jenner, was also spotted leaving arm-in-arm with Oprah Winfrey, with the two women walking down the dock alongside Gayle King and Kris' boyfriend Corey Gamble.
The Kardashian family matriarch looked in high spirits, wearing a jungle-patterned jacket and trouser co-ord and hiding behind black shades.
While Oprah looked chic in all-white, as she wrapped an arm around Kris' shoulders and listened intently to her pal.
BFF Gayle - who memorably went on Bezos' Blue Origin spaceflight alongside Sanchez - caught the eye in a multi-coloured striped dress that showcased her slender frame.
Among the star-studded guests at the $20M nuptials were Kris' fellow daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian.
While Leo continued his attempts to go unrecognisable as he left for the airport, pulling his trademark baseball cap down as low as possible, and adding the hood of his zip-up jumper over the top, to cover as much of his famous face as possible
NFL legend Tom appeared to make his exit at the same time, looking relaxed in a green T-shirt and black cargo pants
However, the two sisters left the city early, making a swift exit by boat on Saturday, despite the $20M festivities being far from over.
Kim, 44, and Khloe, 41, were spotted wearing casual ensembles as they made a low-key departure, presumably to board a private flight back to Los Angeles.
Bill Gates was also spotted making his exit from the Italian city, still looking cheerful after the extravagant 72-hour nuptials.
Despite being far away from Silicon Valley, the Microsoft founder still looked the part of a tech entrepreneur in a simple black polo shirt with black trousers.
He sported a black baseball cap to protect himself from the sun and opted for comfortable trainers for his journey home.
Bill was joined by his glamorous girlfriend Paula Hurd, 62, - who he has been dating since 2023 - who looked effortlessly elegant as she matched with Bill in another all-in-black ensemble.
CEO of Kering and fellows billionaire, François-Henri Pinault was among those spotted arriving at Venice airport after the celebrations had finally come to an end.
And another of Bezos' billionaire guests, Barry Diller was stood at the dock of the airport, ahead of his flight back home.
Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also spotted making their exit, after arriving in Italian city on Tuesday.
The Kardashian family matriarch looked in high spirits, wearing a jungle-patterned jacket and trouser co-ord and hiding behind black shades
While Oprah looked chic in all-white, as she wrapped an arm around Kris' shoulders and listened intently to her pal
Among the star-studded guests at the $20M nuptials were Kris' fellow daughters Kim and Khloe Kardashian, however they left the nuptials early, making a swift exit on Saturday
The couple flew in with their three children, Arabella Rose, 13, Joseph Frederick, 10, and Theodore James, eight, while sister-in-law Karlie Kloss - who is married to Jared's brother Joshua, also was a guest.
Bezos, worth £177billion, has taken over the Italian city for a wedding estimated to have cost up to £40million, small change for the world's third richest man.
But 700 demonstrators gathered at Santa Lucia railway station carrying protest banners and waving inflatable crocodiles.
The demo was organised by the No Space For Bezos group, with some carrying Amazon boxes with the words: 'Ordered, Shipped, Delivered, Rejected.'
But Bezos and Sanchez cared not a jot. It was the second marriage for both and they have seven children between them.
Earlier, they blew kisses on a visit to Harry's Bar – and give a first glimpse of their understated wedding rings.
Sanchez's simple wedding band was in stark contrast to the 30-carat $3million pink diamond she sported after Bezos asked her to marry him two years ago.
In the run-up to Friday's ceremony, that sparkler was switched to her right to make way for an upgrade – an even larger, brilliant-white diamond, estimated at 35 carats and worth $10million.
Bill Gates was also spotted making his exit from the Italian city, still looking cheerful after the extravagant 72-hour nuptials
The Microsoft founder and billionaire kept comfortable in a simple black polo neck and trousers with a matching baseball cap
Bill was joined by his glamorous girlfriend Paula Hurd, 62, - who he has been dating since 2023 - who looked effortlessly elegant as she matched with Bill in another all-in-black ensemble
CEO of Kering and fellows billionaire, François-Henri Pinault was among those spotted arriving at Venice airport after the celebrations had finally come to an end (pictured)
And another of Bezos' billionaire guests, Barry Diller was stood at the dock of the airport, ahead of his flight back home (pictured)
Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were also spotted making their exit, after arriving in Italian city on Tuesday
The couple flew in with their three children, Arabella Rose, 13, Joseph Frederick, 10, and Theodore James, eight, while sister-in-law Karlie Kloss - who is married to Jared's brother Joshua, also was a guest
The First Daughter is one of the most insulated guests at the wedding and was seen with her Secret Service detail
But impeccable sources reveal that the billionaire were already legally married, with a source closely connected to the organisation of the week's events saying: 'They have been married for at least a month, more than a month.
'The marriage is fully legal and took place in America under American law.'
The source added: 'When they were planning the wedding, they were clear about the fact that they were already secretly married. There is no application for a wedding license from the couple because it was not required.
'Whatever happens at the wedding on Friday, it will not be a wedding. Under Italian law, it will not be a wedding celebration, any vows said or rings exchanged will have no legal meaning.'
The source added that Bezos had personally confirmed that he and Sanchez – who met when both were married to other people – are already legally married, and that they had also signed a pre-nuptial agreement to protect his $244 billion fortune.
The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members.
The only images that emerged of the nuptials came via Sanchez's official Instagram account - and photos of guests leaving the night-time celebrations were scarce.
She revealed to Vogue her wedding dress was inspired by the high-necked lace wedding dress Sophia Loren wore to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film Houseboat.
The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members
The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members
Houseboat. She also revealed that Bezos had begged to see her in the gown, but as is tradition for most brides, she explained that she wasn't going to let him lay his eyes upon it until the big day.
The only images that emerged of the nuptials came via Sanchez's official Instagram account - and photos of guests leaving the night-time celebrations were scarce
She also revealed that Bezos had begged to see her in the gown, but as is tradition for most brides, she explained that she wasn't going to let him lay his eyes upon it until the big day.
'I almost gave in,' she admitted. 'But I want it to be a surprise. As you get a little older, not many things surprise you. I can't wait to see his face.'
This was not the only tradition the couple stuck with: Sanchez also donned 'something borrowed' for the ceremony - a pair of Dolce earrings.
And she explained to Vogue that her 'something blue' was from her Blue Origin flight, revealing she carried a secret souvenir up in the rocket so she could bring it back for Bezos 'because it was one of the most profound experiences I've had in my life.'
Sánchez went on: 'Seeing Earth from space, I came down and I couldn't describe it. It was the greatest experience I've ever had'.
The Bezos couple are thought to have splashed out a staggering $20million on their multiple-day extravagant wedding bash.
As guests arrived at the reception on Friday, they were welcomed by the stirring sounds of trumpets, violins, and a soulful Gospel choir.
That same choir returned to belt out Whitney Houston's Higher Love right after the couple exchanged their vows, with guests cheering and singing along during the heartfelt moment.
The wedding, held two years after Bezos proposed to Sanchez aboard his $500million superyacht, was described as 'extremely intimate' with a strict no-phone policy - with around 70 of the 200 guests being family members
Opera singer Matteo Bocelli kicked off the wedding reception with a touching tribute, opening his set with the timeless Elvis Presley classic I Can't Help Falling in Love With You.
The son of renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli stepped in since his father was tied up with concerts in southern Italy over the weekend.
Earlier in the day, award-winning journalist Sanchez made a chic first appearance, stepping out of the five-star Aman Hotel in a sophisticated white Dior puff-sleeve suit, perfectly accessorized with a headscarf and oversized sunglasses.
In the photographs, she flashed a dazzling new giant diamond ring that caught plenty of attention.

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Daily Mail
43 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Boris Becker set to become a father again at 57: Tennis star reveals wife, 35, is expecting his fifth child nine months after his two youngest children skipped their wedding
Boris Becker has confirmed his 35-year-old wife Lilian de Carvalho is pregnant with their first child together as the German tennis star prepares to become a father for the fifth time at the age of 57. Boris, who married the political risk analyst in Italy last year, declared 'the best is yet to come' in an Instagram post that showed Lilian sweetly cradling her baby bump. 'A tiny miracle is on the best is yet to come,' the Wimbledon icon captioned his post, as Boris is set to welcome his fifth child with a fourth different woman ahead of turning 60. The pregnancy announcement comes less than one year after the couple's lavish wedding ceremony in Portofino, Italy, as Boris hailed his wife as the reason he 'survived' a jail sentence after he was convicted of insolvency crimes. The former world number one spent eight months of a 30-month sentence for tax evasion in Wandsworth prison, before being released in 2022. Describing Lilian - who remained by Boris's side through the trial - Boris told Stern magazine their relationship is 'perhaps the first partnership on equal terms' while reflecting on his chequered past and tumultuous personal life. 'No one is more important than the other,' he said. 'I need Lilian, and I hope she needs me too.' As Boris readies for a new chapter with Lilian - 23 years his junior - it is world's away from the man who had a one-night stand with a Russian model while his first wife Barbara Feltus was in labour. Boris, who currently lives in Milan with Lilian, has been married twice before and has four children in total. He welcomed his firstborn, a son named Noah Gabriel, now 30, in 1994 with his wife Barbara. Their second child, Elias Balthasar, was born in 1999 - shortly before their landmark marriage ended due to Boris' infidelity that led him to the back room at Nobu for an ill-advised liason encounter with Russian model Angela Ermakova. As Boris' marriage to Barbara imploded, London-based Angela launched a paternity suit against the retired tennis player, claiming he is the father of her then-nine-month-old daughter Anna. Boris, then 33, publicly conceded he is the father of Anna, now 23, after a preliminary hearing at London's High Court in 2001 as the former tennis ace promised 'I will take care of little Anna' in a statement issued by his spokesperson at the time. His admission came after Boris accepted the results of a DNA test that proved their relationship after his lawyers suggested Anna was conceived by artificial insemination using the tennis star's 'stolen sperm' after oral sex. Boris detailed the brief romp with Angela in a 6x10ft broom cupboard at one of London's chicest restaurants in the 2023 documentary called Boom! Boom! The World Vs Boris Becker. In an interview for the film, Boris said he left Barbara after she kept bringing up his affair with Angela as he appeared to suggest their marriage broke down because she used his infidelity as a 'joker card' during arguments. According to his version of events, Boris described how on that fateful night he left his mother and pregnant wife alone in his hotel room to celebrate the end of his playing career after a fourth round defeat in Wimbledon. 'The first beer was opened right after the match,' he recalled. 'Then there was another beer. I wanted to go out with my coach, my physio and my [racket] stringer to celebrate. 'I said to my wife, "Tomorrow I will be a husband and father but tonight, one last time, I want to be a tennis player. "My wife was p****d off. I then had a long discussion with my mother on the balcony . . . and the last thing she said to me was, "Boris, just don't do anything stupid."' Later that evening, though, he went to Nobu, met Angela, and had that encounter in a back room of the restaurant. Writing in his 2003 autobiography, Boris recalled how Angela gave him the 'look of a the hunter that said "I want you"' before he followed her Then he went back to 'his boys', paid the bill for dinner and went home to Munich. Eight months later he received a fax from Ermakova saying she was pregnant. Becker initially denied paternity, but DNA tests proved that the child Anna (who had inherited his red hair) was indeed his, and he made a financial settlement with her mother — while also funding an expensive divorce from Barbara. Speaking during the documentary, Boris claimed that while Barbara initially tried to move past the 'broom closet' cheating scandal, she kept bringing up the fact that he had fathered a child with Angela during difficult moments. 'For months nobody knew yet [about the baby],' he said. 'But then every little thing we discussed, she came back with the joker card and said: 'You shut the f*** up, because if the world knew what you had done, you are lost.' Boris claimed Barbara inItially tried to move past the 'broom closet' cheating scandal while his wife Barbara had gone to hospital as she was feeling discomfort during her own pregnancy with her and Becker's son Elias. The encounter happened in a broom cupboard in London restaurant Nobu. 'She looked directly at me, the look of the hunter that said, 'I want you',' Becker recalled. 'There she was again, walking twice past the bar. And again this look. A little while later she left her table for the toilet. I followed behind...' He did not give Angela 'a second thought' again until she revealed the pregnancy, he said in the 2023 documentary, adding: 'She came in, she had a big coat on. 'She took the coat off and she was heavily pregnant. You just can't believe it. The wake-up call came very late.' Boris and Barbara's bitter divorce was settled in 2001 after he agreed to pay her a lump sum of £10 million - significantly more than the provisions of their pre-nuptial agreement as Barbara retained full custody of their sons, Noah and Elias. His second marriage to Dutch former model Lily Kerssenberg ended acrimoniously after nine years. In 2023, Lily alleged that Boris 'threw me and our son' Amadeus out of the house in an interview with German media outlet Bild, adding: 'I left him in 2018 and he can't forgive me for that.' 'When I left five years ago, he took away my house and car keys,' the actress continued. 'He threw me and our son out of the house. I didn't have a penny in cash, didn't know where to go. We spent the first night on a bench in a cafe.' At the time, she also alleged that Boris 'doesn't pay a penny in child support' and rarely saw his son but added 'I believe that he loves' him. However, Anna and Amadeus were both absent from their father's Italian wedding to Lilian last year after their engagement was punctuated by Boris's jail sentence. While Noah, 30, and Elias, 25, attended the festivities in Portofino as Boris's best men, both Anna and Amadeus., 14, were missing from the wedding party. It remains a mystery as to why the pair, who are seemingly now on good terms with their father, weren't invited, especially after Becker publicly spoke of how 'proud' he is of both children. Amadeus' mother Lily expressed her disappointment at the time, telling German magazine Bunte: 'His father didn't tell him anything about [the wedding]...he's wondering why he wasn't invited. 'When I approached Amadeus about it, he was completely taken by surprise. He knew nothing.' This is despite the fact that earlier this year, Becker marked Amadeus' 14th birthday with a trip to Milan, including a visit to the Natural History Museum, sightseeing and indoor skydiving. Lilly disclosed that Amadeus eventually received an invitation via WhatsApp, but he did not attend the wedding. Meanwhile, Anna - who grew up between London and Monaco - revealed she discovered her tennis legend father was tying the knot after reading media reports. The singer, who won Let's Dance - a reality TV competition modeled after the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing - has only spoken positively about her father in public. Ahead of the Let's Dance final, Boris recorded a message for his daughter, saying: 'You've already conquered the hearts of the Germans. 'You've taken them by storm. Your talent, your discipline, your performance and more – your personality, are amazing. And I couldn't be prouder,'. Lilian, who was born on the African island of São Tomé and Príncipe, wore three outfits for the occasion, while Boris, tying the knot for the third time, looked effortlessly suave in a cream tuxedo. Discussing their lavish nuptials for the first time, Boris told Hello! Magazine that it was a 'magical weekend' marrying his partner Lilian, and they chose Portofino as their wedding location after spending many happy weekends there together. He said: 'Everyone cried, including me... the location where we had the ceremony is, I think, one of the most unique places I have been in my life – and trust me, I have been to a lot of beautiful places!' The bride stunned the couple's 100 guests in an elegant white strapless gown crafted for her by an old school friend, designer Andra Ravieli; he had previously promised that he would design her wedding gown when she walked down the aisle. Guests included former Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit and German actor and model Boris Kodjoe. The former Wimbledon champ and Lilian married in an outdoor ceremony with beautiful gardens and celebrated in the evening with a four-tier buttercream cake laden with white roses. The couple spared no expense, with Lilian looking incredible in a strapless ruched bridal gown and veil, while Boris opted for a two-piece suit, including a satin tuxedo in cream and black dickie bow. The three-day wedding saw Boris and Lilian greet guests arriving by boat and enjoying drinks by the pier before their big day.


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Urgent warning to Brit holidaymakers as 'suffocating' 46C European heatwave triggers invasion of venomous sea creatures in the Med - as hunt continues for UK tourist missing on Greek island
Rising temperatures across Europe are bringing venomous invasive species to coastal waters around tourist destinations in the Mediterranean, authorities have warned as the continent grapples with a deadly heatwave. The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA) urged tourists and fishermen to report sightings of four 'potentially dangerous' species this week, citing nearly two thousand recorded appearances in the region. The lionfish, silver-cheeked toadfish, dusky spinefoot and marbled spinefoot are beginning to appear in waters off southern Italy as the Mediterranean warms, it said. The Ionian Sea is now one of the most vulnerable areas to lionfish, which carry spines causing 'extremely painful strings'. The silver-cheeked toadfish contains a highly toxic neurotoxin and wields powerful teeth 'capable of inflicting serious bites'. A punishing heatwave continued to devastate Europe on Monday, with authorities also battling wildfires from France to Turkey, and temperatures on course to rise further still. The heat is expected to extend north and across other parts of western Europe early this week, with Paris on course for 39C and London receiving 35C today - the hottest day of the year so far. Sweltering temperatures reached highs of 46C in Spain and exceeded 40C across much of southern Europe over the weekend, with firefighters rallying to tackle blazes across the drying continent. Tourists told the AFP news agency that they were 'suffocating at night' in the sweltering Venetian heat on Saturday, with no wind and a lot of humidity. Severe heat was recorded in Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal, with locals and tourists alike taking shelter from the conditions. Authorities in Karpathos, Greece are now investigating the disappearance of a 55-year-old British tourist who has been missing since Friday, as meteorologists put out a health warning, anticipating air temperatures as high as 36C (97F). In Barcelona, Spain a woman died shortly after finishing her shift as a road sweeper on Saturday, with authorities investigating the cause. Temperatures were expected to rise as high as 34C (93F) on Monday, and hit 46C (115F) in the arid south. This month is on course to be the hottest June on record in Spain. Neighbouring Portugal has advised people 'not to go out' during the hottest hours, reporting heat strokes and burns as the heatwave took hold. A high of 46.6C was recorded in the town of Mora on Sunday, a record for the month. In Spain, temperatures reached 46C (115F) in the south on Saturday, with this month set to be the hottest June on record. A woman died after finishing her shift as a street sweeper in Barcelona on Saturday, with authorities still investigating the cause. In Italy, a few regions were planning to ban some outdoor work activities during the hottest hours of the day in response to the record-high temperatures. Trade unions pushed the government to expand such measures at a national level. The Italian Health Ministry placed 21 out of 27 monitored cities under its highest heat alert, including top holiday destinations like Rome, Milan and Naples. It said it had reported a spike in heatstroke cases, mostly affecting the elderly, cancer patients and homeless people. Pensioners were told to find shelter in museums and pools as the heatwave continues to grip the nation. In Milan, one of the giant Generali signs that crown the Italian insurer's 192 metre head offices collapsed on Monday, at risk of crashing to the ground, firefighters said. Generali said that the possible causes of the incident were being assessed. One hypothesis is that the steel beams holding up the sign broke. Local media has pointed to high temperatures in the city'. The summer's first major heatwave has seen authorities in the countries along the Mediterranean's northern coast urging people to seek shelter. Ambulances stood on standby near tourist hotspots as experts warned that such heatwaves, intensified by climate change, would become more frequent. In Barcelona, a 51-year-old woman named locally as Montserrat A. died shortly after finishing work in the midst of a heatwave. Barcelona City Council confirmed the incident, though has not confirmed whether the death was heat related. An autopsy will confirm whether her death was related to the heat or another cause. Union sources said she was working in the Raval neighbourhood from around 2pm until 9pm, some of the hottest hours in the city, El Pais reports. She died at home shortly after finishing her shift. Firefighters were on standby after blazes broke out Sunday in France and Turkey, fed by the heat and strong winds. Already last week, Greek firefighters had to battle a forest blaze on the coast south of Athens that forced some evacuations. The south of France dealt with an inferno of its own over the weekend as a huge blaze broke out in Aude, near Toulouse, burning through some 400 hectares of land. Authorities believe the fire was caused by a poorly extinguished barbecue, and a suspect has been arrested. 'This is unprecedented,' Agnes Pannier-Runacher, France's ecology transition minister said as a record 84 of the nation's 96 mainland departments were placed on the second-highest 'orange' heat alert. Only a small sliver of the country in the northwest was not sweltering, according to the Meteo France weather service, which said the heatwave was due to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday. Agnès Pannier-Runacher, The French Minister for Ecological Transition, told Sud Radio that there were 44 million people nationwide living in 'heat islands', where the temperature could be as much as 4 or 5C higher than the measured temperature. The heat island effect means built-up areas are often much hotter than nearby rural areas due to human-made surfaces that absorb the heat, like buildings and roads. Densely populated city areas can be as much as 12C warmer than the surrounding countryside. Dr Radhika Khosla, Associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford, said: 'Populations in urban areas like London are particularly susceptible to extreme heat as the concrete and asphalt absorb and re-emit the sun's radiation, amplifying its impact on our bodies. 'For this reason, outdoor workers are particularly at risk and should take regular breaks to hydrate in the shade.' To the east, Greece and Turkey have been hit hard by wildfires, causing chaos for tourists as hundreds of passengers were left stranded. A huge fire ripped through the popular resort of Foça, İzmir, in Turkey before strong winds fanned the flames and sent it towards neighbourhoods and residential areas. One suspect has been accused of starting the fire when they allegedly set fire to their own house, and tinder-dry conditions saw the blaze spread at pace. In the wake of the fire in Turkey, flights at İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport had closed temporarily as of 4pm local time on Sunday. Hundreds of passengers have now been left stranded as a result of the blazes. Alvaro Iturmendi, travel insurance expert at said that in light of the wildfires, 'several airlines are adjusting their schedules'. 'This mix of cancellations and ongoing services may leave many travellers uncertain about their upcoming trips. 'If you're due to fly to Izmir or nearby areas, your first step should be to contact your airline for the latest updates. 'With the wildfires affecting transport links and air quality in the region, it's important to plan ahead and monitor official travel advice.' 'Airlines should refund you if your flight is officially cancelled, or help you arrange an alternative. However, if your flight is still scheduled and you decide not to travel, you may not automatically be entitled to a refund.' The insurance comparison website offers guidance on flight cancellations. Planes were seen dumping large amounts of water over the infernos in an attempt to fight the blazes in Turkey over the weekend. Residents watched in horror as their homes went up in flames while firefighters spent more than 22 hours tackling the huge blaze across İzmir. The major emergency response involved 625 personnel, including six helicopters, 46 fire engines, nine bulldozers and 13 water supply vehicles. Around 550 residents were evacuated from some 175 homes in Ilıpınar, Foça. Four firefighters were reportedly affected by smoke poisoning, with two of them taken to hospital. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown. Another suggestion is that the fire may have been caused by a high-voltage power line. Governor Süleyman Elban urged residents to be cautious over the next few days. He said low humidity and high temperatures could lead to more fires. The governor said: 'We expect the next four or five days to be very hot, with strong winds and low humidity. These conditions are perfect for a fire. 'Everyone's life is at stake. We must all be extremely cautious.' Wildfires were also reported in Kahramanmaraş, Bursa, Sakarya, Bilecik, Gaziantep, Bolu and Manisa this week. Environment Minister Murat Kurum said 23 houses and 47 units in 3 villages were destroyed in forest fires in Bilecik, while 41 houses and 25 barns and warehouses were also severely damaged. A large wildfire broke out south of Athens on Thursday, forcing evacuations and road closures near the ancient Temple of Poseidon. Strong winds spread the flames, damaging homes and sending smoke across the sky. Greek authorities deployed 130 firefighters, 12 planes and 12 helicopters to battle the blaze, while police evacuated 40 people, with five areas under evacuation orders. A Lancet Public Health study published last year highlighted the increasing risk of heat-related deaths because of climate change. The study predicted that heat-related deaths could more than quadruple by midcentury under current climate policies. The hottest place in the UK on Sunday was London's St James's Park - which hit a smouldering 31C. The country's weather service Meteo France put a record 84 out of its 101 regional departments on an orange heatwave alert - the second-highest - for Monday. Spain's weather service AEMET said temperatures in Extremadura and Andalusia, in the south and southwest, had reached up to 44C Sunday and issued a special warning amid the heatwave. Several areas in the southern half of Portugal, including Lisbon, are under a red warning until Monday night, said the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Two-thirds of Portugal was also on high alert Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires - as was the Italian island of Sicily, where firefighters tackled 15 blazes Saturday. In Italy, 21 cities were on high alert for extreme heat, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence and Rome. 'We were supposed to be visiting the Colosseum, but my mum nearly fainted,' said British tourist Anna Becker, who had travelled to Rome from a 'muggy, miserable' Verona. Hospital emergency departments across Italy have reported an uptick in heatstroke cases, according to Mario Guarino, vice president of the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine. 'We've seen around a 10 percent increase, mainly in cities that not only have very high temperatures but also a higher humidity rate. It is mainly elderly people, cancer patients or homeless people, presenting with dehydration, heat stroke, fatigue,' he said. In Venice, authorities offered free guided tours for people over 75s in air-conditioned museums and public buildings. Meanwhile, temperatures are set to soar to 34C in the UK on Monday. Experts have also warned that heatwaves can impact mood and behaviour. Dr Laurence Wainwright, Departmental Lecturer at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford, said: 'While news coverage of hot weather usually includes images of sunbathing and ice creams, an often-overlooked consequence of heatwaves is their negative impact on our mental health and behaviour. 'Violent incidents increase, depression worsens and the effect of psychiatric medications on our body can be altered. For every 1°C increase in monthly average temperature, mental health-related deaths increase by around 2.2%. 'Spikes in relative humidity also result in a higher occurrence of suicide. Learning to adapt to the increasing frequency of heatwaves brought by climate change will mean taking account of all its impacts – including on our state of mind.' Britain bathed in balmy 30C heat on Sunday to round off a sweltering weekend and there is set to be no relief overnight, with temperatures in England and Northern Ireland remaining in the late teens. And things will get even toastier at the start of next week with the mercury reaching 26C in the southeast by 10am on Monday before hitting highs in the mid 30s by the afternoon. A weather map shows that London and the southeast will experience the highest figures, with 31C expected in the Midlands and 28C in the northwest and west of the country. The Met Office wrote on X: 'Here is the 4cast for Monday. Hot across southeast England in particular with temperatures reaching 34 Celsius.' The toasty temperatures will threaten the UK's June record of 35.6C - set in the famously hot summer of 1976. It comes after fires devastated towns in Greece, where some regions have had to declare a state of emergency. On Thursday, a violent forest fire devastated several seaside towns east of Athens, damaging homes and prompting dozens of evacuations in a popular destination for Greek and foreign tourists. The fire broke around 12.30pm local time (9.30am UK time) near the towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari, around 30 miles east of Athens, and forced the evacuation of five villages, according to Greek firefighters. It comes on the heels of another fire on the island of Chios - Greece's fifth-largest island - which as of Wednesday had destroyed more than 10,000 acres of land in four days. Temperatures reached up to 40 degrees Celsius in the Athens region on Thursday, with forecasts indicating that the heatwave could continue until Saturday. In the previous 24 hours, 45 fires had broken out in Greece, firefighters said. Earlier this week, hundreds of firefighters backed up by aircraft were battling a wildfire burning out of control for the three days on the Greek island of Chios. Towering walls of flames tore through forest and agricultural land on the island as reinforcements were hurried in from Athens, Thessaloniki and the nearby island of Lesbos. By Tuesday morning, the fire department said 444 firefighters with 85 vehicles were tackling the blaze on scattered fronts. Eleven helicopters and two water-dropping planes were providing air support. Emergency services issued evacuation orders for villages and settlements in the area, when fires broke out near the island's main town. Apocalyptic scenes captured in images and videos showed firefighters battling the flames as the wildfires raged on, while thick plumes of black smoke filled the sky. Other footage showed helicopters spraying water over smoke-filled fields. The fire department has sent an arson investigation team to Chios to examine the cause of the blaze. 'We are faced with simultaneous fires in multiple, geographically unconnected parts of the island - a pattern that cannot be considered coincidental,' Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Giannis Kefalogiannis said Monday from Chios. Authorities, he said, were 'very seriously examining the possibility of an organized criminal act, in other words arson.' The minister said police forces on the island had been reinforced, while military patrols had been doubled. 'Whoever thinks that they can play with the lives of citizens and cause chaos with premeditated actions will be led to court,' Kefalogiannis said. 'Arson is a serious crime and will be dealt with as such.'


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
The lookalike daughters with famous mums – can you guess who's related to who?
THE phrase 'like mother, like daughter' is certainly true for a number of gorgeous celebrities and their glamorous daughters. Jessica Alba 's teenage daughter Honor, 17, stole the spotlight at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez 's headline-grabbing Venice wedding, and threatened to upstage her 44-year-old mum in a nude-coloured dress. 21 21 But the red carpet-ready teen isn't the only daughter to be a carbon copy of their famous mother. In fact - one of the hottest trends among famous mothers is twinning with their lookalike daughters for social media snaps and A-list events. So, can you recognise who each of these rising star daughters is related to? Amanda Holden and Lexi 21 21 21 At 19, Lexi Hughes is turning heads in the modelling world, following in mum Amanda Holden's glamorous footsteps. Signed by Storm at 16, Lexi's natural beauty has drawn comparisons to her famous mother, particularly when they twin on the red carpet. Proud mum Amanda, 54, has nothing but praise for her lookalike daughter. She previously gushed: 'She has a very natural beauty — she just looks stunning.' While Amanda is known for her daring wardrobe choices on Britain's Got Talent, she admits to keeping a close eye on Lexi's wardrobe for anything too revealing. Although she joked that anything confiscated she wears herself. A family photo from Greece - with mum Judith, 72, and other daughter Hollie, 13, - showed the good looks run deep with four generations of beauty in one snap. Kate Moss and Lila 21 21 21 Having a mother as iconic as Kate Moss, 51, can't be easy for any budding model. However, her daughter Lila, 22, whose dad is Jefferson Hack, the co-founder of Dazed Media, is quickly becoming a standout figure in the fashion world. Following in her mother's footsteps, Lila has already walked the runway for major designers like Miu Miu and Richard Quinn, solidifying her place as a catwalk rising star. Her career began at just 14 — the same age Kate was discovered — and she's continued to flourish ever since, earning high-profile gigs with top brands. By 16, she was named the face of Marc Jacobs Beauty, landed her first solo Dazed Magazine cover, and featured in Miu Miu's Spring/Summer 2020 campaign. Mel B and Phoenix 21 21 The Spice Girls' hit song 'Two Became One' takes on a whole new meaning when you see Mel B and her daughter Phoenix, who's the spitting image of her famous mum. Now 26, Phoenix has paid homage to her Spice Girl roots by recreating iconic looks from Mel's past, including her gold two-piece from the Spice World poster. She's also channelled her mum's patchwork bikini top and trousers from Spice Up Your Life, proving the Scary Spice legacy lives on. Raised by Mel after her split in 2000 from first husband Jimmy Gulzar, Phoenix is now carving her own path as a model and entrepreneur. Karren Brady and Sophia Peschisolido 21 Former managing director of Birmingham City FC Karren Brady might be The Apprentice 's glam leading lady - but it seems it runs in the family with her model daughter, Sophia Peschisolido. Sophia, daughter of Canadian footballer Paul Peschisolido, has been modelling since the age of 21, when she landed a Topshop campaign back in 2017. She later became a face of PrettyLittleThing and lingerie company Boux Avenue, and developed life as an influencer - with proud mum Karren even becoming her photographer when lockdown forced her to work from home. The campaigns made her in-demand for reality shows, especially Love Island, but she always turned them down. "I've been asked to go on it twice but I've turned it down," she told The Sun back in 2020. Now Sophia, who shares son Leo with fiancé Frankie Makin, is now preparing to hand the genes to a second baby, after announcing she is pregnant in April. Sienna Miller and Marlowe 21 Sienna Miller 's daughter Marlowe, 12, looked all grown up as she attended Sienna's sister Savannah Miller's Bridal Ballerina Breakfast in London in April, with the pair accompanied by Sienna's partner, Oli Green, 28. It wasn't Marlowe's first foray into fashion; as she previously sat front row at Proenza Schouler during New York Fashion Week. Back in 2015, Miller reflected on the profound impact of motherhood, telling The Observer: 'I think having a baby really changed everything, if I'm honest. 'I think that's where it began. The stakes are higher. You have someone that you want to be proud of you eventually.' Heidi Klum and Leni 21 21 21 Just like her supermodel mum Heidi Klum, 21-year-old Leni is making a name for herself in fashion, landing major campaigns with Dior Beauty and GHD. Born in 2004 after Heidi's split from Formula One executive Flavio Briatore, Leni was later adopted by Heidi's ex-husband, singer Seal, who also fathered her three younger siblings. Leni often mirrors her mum's style, recently teaming up with her for a bold, colourful cover shoot for Dutch Vogue in matching tailored suits. Their joint Intimissimi lingerie campaign sparked online criticism, with some calling it inappropriate and 'sexualised' - but Leni defended the shoot, calling it 'an amazing day' and a moment she 'loved' sharing with her mum. Gwyneth Paltrow and Apple Martin 21 21 The 'apple' doesn't fall far from the tree when it comes to Gwyneth Paltrow's 21-year-old daughter. Actress and singer-songwriter Apple Martin has previously shown she has a talent for music just like her dad, Chris Martin, after helping to write Coldplay's album Music of the Spheres last year. Fans previously gushed over Apple's uncanny resemblance to her famous mum, after the pair attended an event hosted by Goop, Gucci, and Elizabeth Saltzman in the Hamptons, New York. Gwyneth split from Chris in March 2014, famously calling the break-up "consciously uncoupling." BE A FAIR PAIR By Clemmie Fieldsend THEY say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and for celebrity kids it's a must-have look. But it hasn't always been. Remember when you were young and your mum used to dress you and your siblings, or worse the whole family, in matching gear for a family photo? I wince at the flashback. Back then it was considered a bit naff, but fast forward to today and it seems that every A-lister and their daughter is a clobber clone. Style crowd But forget the Eighties, when everyone would wear matching bright cable knits; or the Nineties, when co-ordinated nautical looks could be seen hanging in everyone's hallway – these days twinsets are far more stylish. You can be a doppel-glamour duo, like Amanda Holden and her daughter Lexi, who like to match their cut-out dresses, or Hells Angels, like Kim Kardashian and young North West, whose twinsets are made of leather. You could take it to Heidi Klum and Leni's extreme lengths and pair your pants. But whatever you decide to do, if you want to be in with the style crowd you'll need to be seeing double.