DOMINIC LAWSON: As so often in her 68-year reign, the Queen gets it right. In her statement to the country on meeting the challenge of the coronavirus, she did not once use the word 'war'.

DOMINIC LAWSON: The founder of the People's Republic of China, Mao Zedong, invented a term for 'reactionaries' in the West who made threats against his regime. He called them 'paper tigers'.

DOMINIC LAWSON: Only a certain type engages in professional point-scoring in the midst of a pandemic. But Sir Paul Nurse, the Nobel prize-winning scientist, seems to fit that bill.

DOMINIC LAWSON: This wasn't supposed to happen. The British people have responded to a draconian lockdown with good humour and fortitude.

DOMINIC LAWSON: The decision to extend the lockdown has, unsurprisingly, intensified the complaint that 'shutting down the economy will cost more lives than the coronavirus'.

DOMINIC LAWSON: How mortifying to be complimented by a representative of the totalitarian regime now in the global dock for its conduct during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Locked-in Shirley Parsons (pictured) suffered a colossal haemorrhagic stroke from a clot on her brain in 2003. But she said she is happier than before her stroke, writes DOMINIC LAWSON.

Gemma Culverwell, 35, from Sheffield, South Yorks, is mum to daughter Marcy, five, who is often likened to Princess Charlotte by strangers. She says people regularly do a double take.

Princess Charlotte, four, enjoyed a day out at the polo with her family on Wednesday. Eagle-eyed royal watchers spotted she was carrying a little sequin unicorn Beanie Boo purse, which costs just £4.

The Duchess looked glamorous in a bespoke green D&G midi dress, estimated to have cost £2,150, previously worn in 2016 on a visit to Kelowna, during a royal tour of Canada.

Parents have praised the Duchess of Cambridge's reaction after Princess Charlotte, four, stuck her tongue out to crowds at the star-studded King's Cup regatta at Cowes, Isle of Wight, yesterday.

Princess Charlotte, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George, will attend her first day of school at Thomas's Battersea on Thursday September 5.

Arriving at Thomas's Battersea, where her brother George is two years above, four-year-old Princess Charlotte clung to her mother's hand and was sure to keep her manners in check.

Giving Princess Charlotte a touch of sparkle on her way to school in London this morning was a pink, sequined unicorn head key ring seen dangling from her bag.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, was the picture of elegance on Thursday as she arrived at Thomas's Battersea with William, 37, and their son George, six, for Charlotte's first day of school.

Prince William, 37, revealed Princess Charlotte, 4, 'loves unicorns' and declared the mythical creatures were 'very cool' during a royal visit to Harcombe House in Devon yesterday

Actress Michelle Dockery, 37, heaped praise on Kate Middleton, 38, as she recalled the royal's visit to the Downton Abbey set in 2015, as she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Kate Middleton, 37, made the confession while visiting the Aga Khan centre in London yesterday, and revealed all about her family's preferences when it comes to spicy foods.

Executive assistant manager Ann-Kathrin Reichel, 31, from Cloppenburg, Germany, now owns 60 'repli-Kate' outfits, spending between £20 and £90 on each over the past year.

TALK OF THE TOWN: The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured, used the special entrance - originally installed by Prince Harry, to access the Hollywood Arms in Chelsea.

Kensington Palace suddenly cancelled Kate Middleton's attendance this afternoon, citing an undisclosed matter relating to Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one.

Princess Charlotte has asked for a pony for Christmas, according to new reports.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, is allegedly working on her tennis game at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, west London and is often joined by her husband and children.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2019 Christmas card featuring their children Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince Louis has been shared online.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 37, looked festive in tartan as she arrived with Charlotte and Louis for the Queen's Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace today.

LIBBY PURVES: Princess Charlotte certainly stole the show on her first walk about at Sandringham this week: in her smart little double-breasted coat, she wowed the crowd with aplomb.

It is understood Prince William took Charlotte and brother George to St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham before Christmas to familiarise them with its layout and explain about wellwishers.

A source told US Weekly that Kate and Prince William's three youngster's 'adore' seven-month-old son, Archie, and that Kate is hoping for more family time with their cousin in the year ahead.

Louise Heren, from the UK, spent time researching at Norland College - where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's nanny, Maria Borrallo, trained. She revealed the skills she learned to Mirror Online.

From the floral smock dresses to the tailored wool coats, Gucci's latest collection, which debuted in Milan earlier this week, appears to pay homage to Princess Charlotte's, 4, style.

Princess Charlotte, four, was given a £1.50 pink plastic flamingo by royal fan Gemma Clark, 39, as she left St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate.

London-based Charlie van Straubenzee, who was one of Prince Harry's ushers, welcomed daughter Clover on Wednesday last week, reports The Sunday Times.

Royal fans are going wild online over the 'uncanny' resemblance between Princess Charlotte, 5, in her new birthday portraits and the Queen's niece Lady Sarah Chatto's, 55.

The trio joined the likes of Sam Smith, Emma Stone, Haim, Lily Collins, Jaime Winstone, Judge Rinder and Greg Rutherford at the sell-out event.

Former British Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford, 32, revealed he's been victim of online trolls who have been sending him cruel comments about his 'dad bod' while preparing to swim for charity.

JIM SHELLEY: Vicky Pattison and Neil Ruddock had more chance of beating Greg Rutherford at long jump than they did of defeating him in the kitchen tonight.

The sportsman, 32, staved off stiff competition from fellow finalists Vicky Pattison and Neil Ruddock to be crowned the winner of Celebrity Masterchef 2019.

Greg Rutherford was adorably interrupted by his two young children while giving an interview on how to keep children busy while in isolation amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Jose Mourinho is eyeing up a national team job for the first time in his managerial career. The ex-Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss has not had a job since December.

Wonderkid Joao Felix executed a stunning goal during a Benfica training session to demonstrate why he is in such high demand across Europe this summer.

The 19-year-old wonderkid took Portugal's Primeira Liga by storm last season, scoring 15 goals and producing seven assists as Benfica lifted the title ahead of Porto.

Kieran Trippier - who signed from Tottenham in a £20million deal this week - made his debut for Diego Simeone's outfit as they ran out emphatic winners against Numancia on Saturday.

Hidden away by vast woodland and situated in Geres, the mansion - which includes a landing pad - was purchased for close to £3.5m seven years ago by the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Ronaldo beat off competition from Atletico Madrid starlet Joao Felix, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva, Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Wolves' Ruben Neves.

KIT HOLDEN: In the end, Renato Sanches felt he was left with no other option but to pack his bags and leave Bayern Munich. He joined Ligue 1 side Lille this summer in a move worth £23million.

Details have been leaked by Football Leaks, via Der Spiegel, regarding one of Cristiano Ronaldo's most lucrative sponsorship deals with sportswear giants Nike.

Cristiano Ronaldo made yet more history as he scored four goals in Portugal's 5-1 victory over Lithuania in Euro 2020 qualifying on Tuesday evening.

Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, scored four times during Portugal's 5-1 victory over Lithuania to break Robbie Keane's record for most goals in European Championship qualifiers.

Cristiano Ronaldo is on the brink of yet another milestone in his incredible career. Two goals against Luxembourg on Friday night will see him join the illustrious 700 club.

Cristiano Ronaldo took his goal-scoring career tally to an incredible 700 after netting in Portugal's 2-1 defeat against Ukraine. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner confidently slotted away a penalty.