Tonga’s prime minister made a bedside visit to the elderly and ailing king of the tiny Pacific island nation today, as the country made preparations for the end of one of the world’s longest reigns by any monarch.

Danetime Lord ran out an impressive five-length winner of the Stay At Wolverhampton Holiday Inn Handicap Stakes for Kevin Ryan and Neil Callan at Dunstall Park.

Prince Joachim, second in line to the Danish throne, is to divorce his British wife, a spokesman for the royal family said today.

Months of planning, hundreds of guests and thousands of police in the streets will give way to a royal wedding redolent of the fairy tales written by Denmark’s Hans Christian Andersen.

Although a sad occasion, the Queen Mother’s funeral will be a spectacle of pomp and ceremony.

Mourners have arrived at Windsor Castle for the funeral of Princess Margaret.