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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Portugal captain scored a second-half penalty against Ukraine to reach the milestone - his 95th strike for his country and the 700th goal of his career. He said afterwards: 'Records come naturally!'

Ronaldo scored the 700th goal of his career from the penalty spot in Portugal's 2-1 defeat against Ukraine on Monday - the sixth player in the history of football to reach that incredible landmark.

Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with a special Juventus shirt to commemorate the 700th goal of his professional career before he scored his 701st against Bologna on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo hinted he would choose not to play in the majority of fixtures for Juventus, leaving himself fresh for their bigger Champions League ties and to represent Portugal.

One of Cristiano Ronaldo's international team-mates has insisted the Portuguese star isn't carrying an injury - directly contradicting the claims of Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri.

His haul of 98 is the best of any player still pulling on the shirt for their national side, as he added hat-trick number 55 of his career on Thursday night during Portugal's rout of Lithuania.

With the pent-up frustration from his recent Juventus woes, Cristiano Ronaldo tore apart Lithuania, smashing home a hat-trick and sending an emphatic message to manager Maurizio Sarri.

Cristiano Ronaldo will look back fondly on this decade but despite winning more trophies in 2019, this year has been his worst statistically in terms of goalscoring over the last 10 years.

Renato Sanches must have truly felt on top of the world after Portugal lifted the Euro 2016 trophy. But an assent to the lofty heights of the game can often be followed by a plummet to the bottom.

While the message was sincere, the word-for-word tweets prompted many to call out Figo for a lack of effort with the only difference between the two posts was the accompanying images.

The Dutch FA took the decision on Friday to cancel the Eredivisie , with the title left by vacant by Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, and neighbouring Belgium could follow after a meeting on Monday.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Alan Pardew could only sit and wait for the phone call. There was nothing else to do as the fate of ADO Den Haag's season was debated in a series of video conference calls.

Brendan Rodgers has launched a passionate defence of James Maddison's lifestyle and insists the Leicester midfielder is the footballer all youngsters want to emulate.

DANNY MURPHY: Young managers usually want a wise old owl next to them for experience. Frank Lampard bucked the trend by appointing Jody Morris as his assistant.

The England manager, who said some of his side's recent performances as 'unacceptable', admitted they are still some way from closing the gap on the two-time world champions.

Chris Smalling has outlined his desire to win a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, despite not having been capped for his country since 2017.

Not many football fans would have put Harvey Barnes in their England squad for Euro 2020 at the start of the season, yet the Leicester attacker is from a family who know all about defying the odds.

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling believes that a victorious England campaign in Euro 2020 could represent a significant step forward in the country's battle against racism.

DANIEL MATTHEWS AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: As Eddie Nketiah wheeled away towards the corner flag, the Arsenal forward dialled a few numbers into an imaginary phone.

The Red Devils hope to bag the 24-year-old playmaker early in the summer transfer window, but want to 'execute' a deal in February.

The FA will today hold urgent talks over the impact of the coronavirus on England's Wembley friendly with Italy next month. Twelve people have died from the disease in Italy so far.

Take a look at Jerome Sinclair's social media accounts, and you won't find out much. No tweets since 2017, and all of his profile pictures are black. In a way, it is a sad reflection of his struggles.

England have revealed grand developments for Wembley stadium, as they prepare to ensure the iconic national stadium remains among the world's best.