Just another soldier or the heir to the throne? Busby-wearing Prince William blends in during horseback drill

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Long may he rein: Most of the tourists and onlookers will not have recognised the Duke


Dressed in a red guardsman's uniform, riding confidently with one white-gloved hand on the reins and the other at his side, this could be any other soldier rehearsing for Trooping the Colour.

But take a closer look, for there is something distinctly familiar about this particular soldier.

One day he will reign as King, but today the Duke of Cambridge was holding the reins of a distinctive mottled grey horse called Wellesley.


Familiar face: The bottom half of Prince William's face is just about visible under his hat


Prince William rode down The Mall from Buckingham Palace on a horse today as he took part in a rehearsal for Trooping the Colour - a ceremony held in honour of his own grandmother's to celebrate her birthday.


Most of the tourists and onlookers will not have recognised the Duke, whose eyes were shaded by his traditional tall hat.

William rode behind the Duke of Kent, Colonel Scots Guards.


Trooping the Colour: The Duke of Cambridge is taking part in the ceremony to honour his grandmother, The Queen



First time: William, who served in the Blues and Royals, has not ridden at Trooping the Colour before


Spot the royal: After about an hour at Horse Guards Parade, the procession made its way back down The Mall


The event, known as the Colonel's Review, takes place a week before Trooping the Colour, which marks the Queen's official birthday.

Hundreds of soldiers were out on display for the ceremonial occasion, parading along The Mall to Horse Guards Parade in bright sunshine.

William, who served in the Blues and Royals, has not ridden at Trooping the Colour before.

After about an hour at Horse Guards Parade, the procession made its way back down The Mall.

The cavalry appeared as a sea of red shimmering the heat, with William at the centre.


Pomp and ceremony: The soldiers make their way to the Horse Guards Parade to take part in the Colonel's Review


Ceremonial: Soldiers from the Irish Guard make their way to the Horse Guards Palace with their mascot, an Irish wolfhound


He was wearing the same red tunic of the Irish Guards, with a blue sash, that he chose for his wedding ceremony.

But he donned a bearskin rather than forage cap.

William was was made Colonel of the Irish Guards in February.

He rode the horse around into the palace forecourt, holding the animal steady for five minutes as the ceremonial parade came to an end.


Attention: Soldiers from the Grenadier Guards take part in the Colonel's Review


Line up: The cavalry appeared as a sea of red shimmering in the heat


And as he and the Duke of Kent turned to ride into the Palace grounds the band struck up the national anthem.

William will also take part in Trooping the Colour next Saturday.

A Palace spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm that The Duke of Cambridge will take part in The Queen's Birthday parade.

'He will ride as Colonel of the Irish Guards.

'All Royal Colonels of the Foot Guards including The Prince of Wales (who will ride as Colonel of the Welsh Guards) ride together as determined by the Major General of the Household Division.'


source: dailymail

British supermarkets 'must take German food off the shelves': Expert's warning as 11 UK victims diagnosed with mutant E.coli

By VANESSA ALLEN

Mutant strain: The new form of E.coli is responsible for 19 deaths and carries genes that make it resistant to many common antibiotics. It also produced toxins that can cause kidney failure


More than 1,800 ill as outbreak spreads across EU

WHO says E.coli bug is 'super-toxic' mutant strain

E.coli cases in 10 European countries and the U.S.


British supermarkets have been urged to take German produce off their shelves halt the spread of the deadly mutant E.coli outbreak.

One of Britain's leading microbiologists made the warning as UK retailers continued to import vegetables from Germany - despite concerns that contaminated produce is spreading the toxic bacteria.

In a revelation that will shock consumers, Tesco and Lidl confirmed that they were still stocking 'small quantities' of German-sourced produce in their branches.



Hugh Pennington, emeritus professor of bacteriology at Aberdeen University, said supermarkets should take a 'safety first' approach and remove German produce from their shelves.

He told the Daily Telegraph: 'This is a very dangerous bug because a surprisingly large proportion of the people who have been infected have gone on to develop nasty complications.'

The warning came as health officials warned the E.Coli outbreak could continue for months.

Hundreds have been infected by the epidemic in the last few days, including four new cases in Britain.


The source: Scientists are working to pinpoint the cause but believe salad vegetables may have been contaminated with manure


The latest victims mean 11 in the UK have been diagnosed with the infection, including four Germans. Three remain in intensive care after developing a potentially lethal form of the infection.

The Health Protection Agency said all the UK cases were in England and were related to recent travel to Germany, where the infection has struck at least 1,733.

So far there have been no cases of the bug spreading through person-to-person contact.

Scientists have yet to find the source of the epidemic, which has killed at least 19 and struck down more than 1,800 in the last three weeks.


Some supermarkets in Britain have reported a small drop in sales of salad, despite the recent hot weather.

Tesco said it stocked ‘small quantities’ of cauliflower from Germany in its stores, but insisted its suppliers observed strict hygiene standards.

The National Farmers Union has voiced fears that British supermarkets could be flooded with ‘cheap, unwanted cucumbers from within the EU’.

Some airlines have dropped salads from their inflight meals to avoid the risk of infecting passengers.




source: dailymail

A very big house in the country: Most expensive UK home outside London goes on sale for £75 MILLION

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Updown Court: This luxury mansion, in Windlesham, Surrey, is on the market for £75million


Mansion boasts 103 rooms, five swimming pools, bowling alley and cinema

The most expensive country house in the UK has gone up for sale for £75million.

Updown Court has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad. It stands in 58 acres of grounds.

The residence - in the Surrey village of Windlesham - was originally put up for sale with agents for £70million a few years ago.


Stately home: The house has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad


The enigmatic owner behind Updown is bricklayer's son-turned-property developer supremo Leslie Allen-Vercoe, 67.

His company Rhymer Investments purchased it in 2002 out of receivership for £20million - and has since spent at least £30million on renovation work.

Now, an Irish bank has requested a drive to sell the mansion with a new price tag which reflects the vast sums ploughed into it.


Grand entrance: The hallway has two cast-iron banistered staircases and a row of marble columns


The neo-classical California-style mansion was built in 2002 on the site of an earlier property which was owned during the 1970s by Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt.

The house, which has 24 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms, has been built with some of the world's rarest materials - mainly Italian marble.

The mansion has a 50-seat cinema, a two-lane bowling alley, a gymnasium, a squash court, a flood-lit tennis court, a lake, a wine cellar for 3,000 bottles and a 'panic room'.


Suitable for sporty types: The mansion boasts five swimming pools and a tennis court


Strike: There is also a two-lane bowling alley


Beautiful garden: The £75million home stands in 58 acres of grounds

source: dailymail

A very big house in the country: Most expensive UK home outside London goes on sale for £75 MILLION

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Updown Court: This luxury mansion, in Windlesham, Surrey, is on the market for £75million


Mansion boasts 103 rooms, five swimming pools, bowling alley and cinema

The most expensive country house in the UK has gone up for sale for £75million.

Updown Court has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad. It stands in 58 acres of grounds.

The residence - in the Surrey village of Windlesham - was originally put up for sale with agents for £70million a few years ago.


Stately home: The house has 103 rooms, five swimming pools, two penthouse apartments and a helipad


The enigmatic owner behind Updown is bricklayer's son-turned-property developer supremo Leslie Allen-Vercoe, 67.

His company Rhymer Investments purchased it in 2002 out of receivership for £20million - and has since spent at least £30million on renovation work.

Now, an Irish bank has requested a drive to sell the mansion with a new price tag which reflects the vast sums ploughed into it.


Grand entrance: The hallway has two cast-iron banistered staircases and a row of marble columns


The neo-classical California-style mansion was built in 2002 on the site of an earlier property which was owned during the 1970s by Prince Sami Gayed of Egypt.

The house, which has 24 bedrooms and 23 bathrooms, has been built with some of the world's rarest materials - mainly Italian marble.

The mansion has a 50-seat cinema, a two-lane bowling alley, a gymnasium, a squash court, a flood-lit tennis court, a lake, a wine cellar for 3,000 bottles and a 'panic room'.


Suitable for sporty types: The mansion boasts five swimming pools and a tennis court


Strike: There is also a two-lane bowling alley


Beautiful garden: The £75million home stands in 58 acres of grounds

source: dailymail

Hand-standing tall: Breathtaking view from glass boxes 1,353 feet in the air over the Windy City’s skyline

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

No fear: A woman performs a handstand in one of the boxes that form 'the ledge', which stand 1,353ft above the Chicago skyline


Jutting four and a half feet outside of the Willis Tower in Chicago, 'The Ledge' is definitely not for the faint-hearted.

But trying telling that to this daredevil who performed a handstand 1,353 feet above the city's skyline.

The unnamed man performed the trick in one of the four glass boxes that are giving unparalleled views across the Windy City from America's tallest building.

Extending out of the 103rd floor of the 110-storey building, each one of the fully retractable boxes that make up The Ledge weighs in at 1,500 pounds.

The three inch glass gives never-before-seen views of the city, and allows visitors to see for 50 miles around.


Spectacular: The boxes that jut out from the Willis Tower provide never-before-seen views of the city, and allows spectators to see for 50 miles around


Inspired by the film 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off', where the title character encourages his friends to lean their heads against the glass of the Willis Tower's public Skydeck, The Ledge has quickly become a city favourite.

'You only need to see the forehead prints on the windows to know that visitors are constantly trying to catch a glimpse below, said Randy Stancik, general manager of the Skydeck Chicago.


Don't look down: Visitors are protected from the 103-storey drop by three inches of glass


Opened in 1974, the Willis Tower was formerly known around the world as the Sears Tower and is still the tallest building in the United States.

'The Ledge's glass boxes extend from the Skydeck, providing unobstructed views straight down,' said a spokesperson for the Skydeck at the Willis Tower.

'Each box provides unobstructed views of people, taxis, boats and bridges over Wacker Drive and the Chicago River.'



America's tallest: The Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, is the world's fifth tallest building. The four viewing boxes can be seen on the third windows down from the top

source: dailymail

Tragedy at the Queen's Salute: Horse has to be put down in front of shocked crowd after being run over by a gun carriage in Hyde Park

By REBECCA ENGLISH


Behind the foreground rider the horse can be seen as it falls and entangles its legs in the wheels of the gun carriage


Members of the public looked on in horror today as an army horse died on parade during a freak accident in London’s Hyde Park.

The animal, called Murphy, was taking part in the Royal Gun Salute which takes place on June 2 each year to mark the coronation of the Queen.

Soldiers from the King’s Troop were lining up when the horse tripped while galloping and his legs became entangled in the wheels of a gun wagon, which then dragged him across the grass.


Soldiers rush to disentangle the fallen horse


Realising the animal is bady hurt, a soldier dashes off to find expert help


As he fell, Murphy suffered a ‘complex fracture’ of his leg and after being examined by an on-site vet was immediately put down by injection.

Devastated soldiers erected a green tent around the animal to shield onlookers from the distressing scene which took place shortly before mid-day.

An army spokesman told Mail Online: ‘Unfortunately the horse, called Murphy, became entangled in the gun carriage which was being moved into position and very sadly broke its leg.


A soldier looks up as he realises the severity of the animal's injury


Distraught, a horseman buries his face in his hands


'The vet officer in place immediately gave him pain relief but it was a very complex fracture and the only course of action was to put him down by injection. It was really the only course of action.

‘Everyone involved was naturally distressed. Murphy had been with the regiment for a very long time.

‘It was a tragic accident, one of those split second things that happen and he went down straight away.

‘It is very rare, though, that something like his should happen. No-one can remember anything like this happening before.’


n a shot taken from the watching spectators, soldiers from the King's Troop erect a barrier around the horse as a vet gives it a lethal injection


The salute, to mark the 59th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, was cancelled as a mark of respect.


Horse injury cancels Queen's 41-gun salute



source: dailymail

Tragedy at the Queen's Salute: Horse has to be put down in front of shocked crowd after being run over by a gun carriage in Hyde Park

By REBECCA ENGLISH


Behind the foreground rider the horse can be seen as it falls and entangles its legs in the wheels of the gun carriage


Members of the public looked on in horror today as an army horse died on parade during a freak accident in London’s Hyde Park.

The animal, called Murphy, was taking part in the Royal Gun Salute which takes place on June 2 each year to mark the coronation of the Queen.

Soldiers from the King’s Troop were lining up when the horse tripped while galloping and his legs became entangled in the wheels of a gun wagon, which then dragged him across the grass.


Soldiers rush to disentangle the fallen horse


Realising the animal is bady hurt, a soldier dashes off to find expert help


As he fell, Murphy suffered a ‘complex fracture’ of his leg and after being examined by an on-site vet was immediately put down by injection.

Devastated soldiers erected a green tent around the animal to shield onlookers from the distressing scene which took place shortly before mid-day.

An army spokesman told Mail Online: ‘Unfortunately the horse, called Murphy, became entangled in the gun carriage which was being moved into position and very sadly broke its leg.


A soldier looks up as he realises the severity of the animal's injury


Distraught, a horseman buries his face in his hands


'The vet officer in place immediately gave him pain relief but it was a very complex fracture and the only course of action was to put him down by injection. It was really the only course of action.

‘Everyone involved was naturally distressed. Murphy had been with the regiment for a very long time.

‘It was a tragic accident, one of those split second things that happen and he went down straight away.

‘It is very rare, though, that something like his should happen. No-one can remember anything like this happening before.’


n a shot taken from the watching spectators, soldiers from the King's Troop erect a barrier around the horse as a vet gives it a lethal injection


The salute, to mark the 59th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne, was cancelled as a mark of respect.


Horse injury cancels Queen's 41-gun salute



source: dailymail

Just don't look down! Daredevil tight-rope walker crosses 100ft-high rocky ravine without ANY safety equipment

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Reaching new heights: Andy Lewis, 24, risks his life as he inches his way along the narrow tight-rope 100ft above a rocky ravine in California


One gust of wind could lead to almost certain death.

But daredevil tight-rope walker Andy Lewis, 24, appears perfectly relaxed as he crosses a 45ft long wire suspended over a 100ft ravine with no safety equipment.

At one point he even leaps into the air to strike a pose before landing inch perfectly back on the bright orange line.

Not satisfied that his deadly wire act was risky enough - the 6' 2'' daredevil decided to up the stakes by balancing on a part of the body not designed for - the tips of his ankles.

Venturing over an area called the Flat Sands in California, Mr Lewis, Mr Lewis literally at the top of his game.


Relaxed: Mr Lewis has has become so confident with the extreme sport, dubbed slacklining, that he is able to jump into the air and strike a comical pose for the camera without losing his balance


In one hair raising picture, Andy looks to be praying for salvation as the unforgiving desert loomed ominously below him.

'The line is called ''the Mexican Caulk gun'' I never walked it with or without a leash before,' said Andy from San Francisco, who regularly risks his life in the extreme sport dubbed 'slacklining'.

'If I had lost balance I would either catch the line or die.

'Risking your life for no other reason than to just be able to have the consequence of death on your brain - this is the sport of free solo.


Breathtaking: Mr Lewis would plummet to the hard rocks below if he fell and missed the line


'It melts everything else away inside your brain.The more I walk free solo, the more I am free.'

The shaggy haired slackliner was introduced to the sport after graduating from high school in 2004. Since this time Andy has honed his skills and decided to become a full-time slackliner in 2008.

He explained how he is able to balance on his ankles from such a terrifying height without plummeting to his death.

'It is just plain painful to balance on the tops of your ankles,' said Andy.

'The sheer strength it takes to build up the ability to balance on your ankles takes a long time.

'That is the problem with slacklining, the better you get at it, the easier it looks.

'That is why I think a lot of people don't get how hard and scary the sport really is.

'The true challenge is masked by years of preparation and trained talent.'

source: dailymail

Just don't look down! Daredevil tight-rope walker crosses 100ft-high rocky ravine without ANY safety equipment

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Reaching new heights: Andy Lewis, 24, risks his life as he inches his way along the narrow tight-rope 100ft above a rocky ravine in California


One gust of wind could lead to almost certain death.

But daredevil tight-rope walker Andy Lewis, 24, appears perfectly relaxed as he crosses a 45ft long wire suspended over a 100ft ravine with no safety equipment.

At one point he even leaps into the air to strike a pose before landing inch perfectly back on the bright orange line.

Not satisfied that his deadly wire act was risky enough - the 6' 2'' daredevil decided to up the stakes by balancing on a part of the body not designed for - the tips of his ankles.

Venturing over an area called the Flat Sands in California, Mr Lewis, Mr Lewis literally at the top of his game.


Relaxed: Mr Lewis has has become so confident with the extreme sport, dubbed slacklining, that he is able to jump into the air and strike a comical pose for the camera without losing his balance


In one hair raising picture, Andy looks to be praying for salvation as the unforgiving desert loomed ominously below him.

'The line is called ''the Mexican Caulk gun'' I never walked it with or without a leash before,' said Andy from San Francisco, who regularly risks his life in the extreme sport dubbed 'slacklining'.

'If I had lost balance I would either catch the line or die.

'Risking your life for no other reason than to just be able to have the consequence of death on your brain - this is the sport of free solo.


Breathtaking: Mr Lewis would plummet to the hard rocks below if he fell and missed the line


'It melts everything else away inside your brain.The more I walk free solo, the more I am free.'

The shaggy haired slackliner was introduced to the sport after graduating from high school in 2004. Since this time Andy has honed his skills and decided to become a full-time slackliner in 2008.

He explained how he is able to balance on his ankles from such a terrifying height without plummeting to his death.

'It is just plain painful to balance on the tops of your ankles,' said Andy.

'The sheer strength it takes to build up the ability to balance on your ankles takes a long time.

'That is the problem with slacklining, the better you get at it, the easier it looks.

'That is why I think a lot of people don't get how hard and scary the sport really is.

'The true challenge is masked by years of preparation and trained talent.'

source: dailymail

Leaf little to the imagination: The glamour girls made entirely of cabbage

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Wilting beauty: One model hides her modesty with a leaf that looks like its seen better days


These glamour models look good enough to eat but they won't turn women green with envy - because they are made entirely of cabbage.

Artist Ju Duoqi created the bizarre sculptures for her project called 'The Fantasies of Chinese Cabbage'.

The wacky works of art show glamorous looking women in a series of poses usually found in glossy fashion magazines.



She's tasty: This piece by Chinese artist Ju Duoqi, made entirely out of cabbage, is entitled Nowa


Every piece of the sculpture is made from the vegetable, including their clothes, hats and jewellery.

A model is pictured lounging on a bed in one shot, with her hands on her hips in another and tastefully cupping her breasts in a third.


Hat's more like it: Ju uses fresh, withered, rotting, dried, pickled, boiled or fried cabbage to make her artwork



One tasty dish? The coquettish looking 'Sara' piece shows the level of intricacy involved in the artwork


Ju, from Beijing, China, uses a knife to slice the different colours and varieties of cabbage and holds them together using toothpicks.

The cabbage is left to age for varying lengths of time and then cooked in different ways to achieve a range of colours and textures.

Ju has previously used other vegetables to recreate famous paintings by artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh and Andy Warhol.

She said: 'The different types, shapes and colours of the vegetables, with a bit of rearranging, can make for a rich source of imagery.

'Fresh, withered, rotting, dried, pickled, boiled or fried - they all come out different.'


Cool as a cucumber: The artist from Beijing must have been dicing for days to create this one


Cabbage patch doll: One veggie model inspired by the Japanese harajuku style


My floret lady: The ethereal effect created with red cabbage


source: dailymail