Liz Taylor opens Aids research centre

Swathed in jewels and bathed in the spotlight, Elizabeth Taylor made a rare but regal public appearance to dedicate the new UCLA Clinical AIDS Research and Education Centre.

The 73-year-old actress, who has had severe back problems in recent years, was dressed in a cream-coloured jacket over a billowy black pantsuit. Dozens of bracelets hung from her arms and a massive diamond lit up her left hand.