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Surprising Aussie beach crowned best in the world

<p dir="ltr">An iconic Australian beach has been named the best in the world in a prestigious list of the most picturesque coastlines on the planet. </p> <p dir="ltr">Each year, <a href="https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/best-beaches-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Condé Nast Traveler</a> ranks the beaches from around the world to curate a list of 34 locations that every beach lover needs to visit. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the top ten list, five beaches from both Australia and New Zealand feature, living up to the countries reputations of stunning coastlines. </p> <p dir="ltr">With a “combination of leaning palm trees on powdery sand”, the publication crowned Palm Cove Beach as the best beach in the world, describing the spot in Queensland as “the epitome of a tropical paradise”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Located north of Cairns, the publication shared that Palm Cove is relatively “crowd free” and home to a range of unique wildlife. </p> <p dir="ltr">While many on social media were quick to agree with the winning location, others argued that there are beaches around Australia more deserving of the crown. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The only way you rank Palm Cove as the best beach in the world is if you have never been to Palm Cove or don’t like beaches,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Eyre Peninsula beaches leave Palm Cove for dead,” another added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Best beach if you don’t ever want to go in the water. What about all the magic in WA?” one questioned.</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the top 10 list of the world’s best beaches below. </p> <p dir="ltr">10. Die Plaat, South Africa</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Awaroa, South Island, New Zealand</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Noosa Beach, Australia </p> <p dir="ltr">7. Dune du Pilat, France</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Mona Vale Beach, Australia</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Ora Beach, Indonesia</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Wategos Beach, Australia</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Brekon, Shetland</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Honopu Beach, Kauai, Hawaii</p> <p dir="ltr">1. Palm Cove Beach, Australia</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

Princess Di misquote in final Crown season sparks outrage

<p>Fans of <em>The Crown</em> have shared their fury over a quote from Princess Diana, after details of a pivotal scene from the royal drama have emerged. </p> <p>The sixth season of the show, which will be <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/major-twist-in-store-for-final-season-of-the-crown" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> on Netflix on November 16th, features a key part of Princess Diana's life, in which she dedicated much of her time lobbying for an international treaty banning landmines and her support of victims.</p> <p>Just three weeks before her death in a car crash in 1997, she visited Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet with affected communities.</p> <p>In the upcoming episode of the show, Diana – played by Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki – tells her boyfriend Dodi Al Fayed, played by Khalid Abdalla, about the horrors of the explosives and how they are responsible for thousands of deaths.</p> <p>“A man called Ken Rutherford drew my attention to it. He started the Landmine Survivors Network. After his jeep hit a landmine in Somalia he lost both of his legs,” Diana explains to her boyfriend on-screen.</p> <p>Diana then makes a bold statement, likening stepping on a landmine to her ill-fated marriage to Prince Charles. </p> <p>“He said to me every survivor has a date of the day they stepped on the landmine. He said, ‘Mine was December 16, 1963’. I said, ‘Mine was 29 July, 1981 — my wedding day’.”</p> <p>In the scene, Dodi laughs in response.</p> <p>The inclusion of the presumably fictional quote has been criticised by royal biographer and <em>Majesty</em> magazine editor Ingrid Seward, who had a personal relationship with Diana.</p> <p>“Diana would never have said anything like that. I think it is an unfortunate comparison,” she told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/24707487/the-crown-risks-angering-royal-family-diana-wedding-charles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Sun</em>.</a></p> <p>“I think the mere fact that <em>The Crown</em> is depicting Diana’s life and her death is exploiting her memory so they can put into her mouth anything that they want to — however distasteful people might find it.”</p> <p>Seward went on to emphasise the significance of landmine awareness to the late princess.</p> <p>“It was very important – it was her big thing and it was a great success too. It is something that she will always be remembered for,” she told the publication.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Netflix </em></p>

"Finally!": 2023’s Sexiest Man Alive crowned

<p>Patrick Dempsey has been named <em>People’s Sexiest Man Alive</em> for 2023! </p> <p>The 57-year-old actor known for his role as Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd on <em>Grey's Anatomy </em>snagged the title from last year's winner, Marvel heart-throb Chris Evans. </p> <p>In his interview with the publication, the actor said that he will use his new-found status to promote “something positive”. </p> <p>“I’m glad it’s happening at this point in my life,” he said. </p> <p>“It’s nice to have the recognition, and certainly my ego takes a little bump, but it gives me the platform to use it for something positive.”</p> <p>When asked about his reaction to finding out he was <em>2023's Sexiest Man Alive </em>the actor joked that it was a long-time coming. </p> <p>“I was completely shocked, and then I started laughing, like, this is a joke, right? I’ve always been the bridesmaid!” he joked. </p> <p>“I’d completely forgotten about it and never even contemplated being in this position. So my ego is good.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Introducing PEOPLE’s 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SexiestManAlive?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SexiestManAlive</a>, Patrick Dempsey. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/4eYnCAG1Zr">https://t.co/4eYnCAG1Zr</a> <a href="https://t.co/5V0xVblnaE">pic.twitter.com/5V0xVblnaE</a></p> <p>— People (@people) <a href="https://twitter.com/people/status/1722114648638394482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>The father-of-three also joked about how his children, Talula, 21, and 16-year-old twins Sullivan and Darby, will react to this news. </p> <p>“They’re just going to make fun of me and pick on me and figure out every reason why I shouldn’t be,” he said.</p> <p>“Which is good, they keep me young.”</p> <p>Funnily enough, his newfound status was also met with confusion, mostly from the younger generation who have no idea who he is. </p> <p>“Who the hell is Patrick Dempsey?” one confused Gen Zer wrote. </p> <p>“You all are making up new people every day; who is Patrick Dempsey?” another commented.</p> <p>This left many Millennials feeling old. </p> <p>“People ... not knowing who Patrick Dempsey is making me feel like a grandma. What do you mean you didn’t grow up watching Grey’s Anatomy, and you weren’t obsessed with Derek Sheppard since you were 10,” one commented. </p> <p>“There is an is actual difference in being 26 vs. being 23! Because I am seeing 23 yr olds not know who Patrick Dempsey is,” another added. </p> <p>And not everyone who is a Millennial agreed with <em>People's</em> choice. </p> <p>"I mean… yes back in the day. But seriously? How is it not someone who is hot right now? I haven’t even seen/heard him mentioned in years," commented one person. </p> <p>Is it 2005?” another wrote.</p> <p>“Um, he is so 2007,” a third commented. </p> <p>Regardless, Dempsey has aged like fine wine and many have said it's about time. </p> <p>“Finally! Ain’t nobody under this post showed me a white man finer!" </p> <p><em>Image: People Magazine/ X</em></p>

Beauty & Style

The Crown star passes away aged 66

<p>Haydn Gwynne, known best for her role as Lady Susan Hussey in <em>The Crown</em>, has passed away. </p> <p>The BAFTA-nominated actress died on Friday at the age of 66, after recently being diagnosed with cancer. </p> <p>Her agent confirmed the news in a statement, which reads, “It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday 20 October, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends.”</p> <p>“We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks.”</p> <p>While best known for her role in <em>The Crown</em>, Gwynne was praised for her role as Alex Pates in 1990s UK show <em>Drop the Dead Donkey</em>, as well as her portrayal of Camilla in <em>The Windsors</em> alongside Harry Enfield.</p> <p>The star earned a BAFTA and Tony Award nomination for her role in <em>Billy Elliot the Musical</em> on the West End.</p> <p>Haydn played Billy Elliot’s dance teacher and was due to return to the stage last month, but sadly had to pull out of the project after being diagnosed with cancer.</p> <p>The actress lived in London with her partner Jason Phipps and their two sons.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Major twist in store for final season of The Crown

<p>The release date for the sixth and final season of <em>The Crown</em> has finally been announced, with royal fans everywhere marking their calendars for the last instalment of the royal drama. </p> <p>The hit Netflix series will be returning to screens on November 16th, but the final season of the show is set to come in two phases. </p> <p>On November 16th, four episodes of the show will be available to stream, and will follow Princess Diana, played by Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, in the last year of her life. </p> <p>Her final days will be explored, including her death in Paris in 1997.</p> <p>Then, the final part of the series will be available to stream from December 14th, and will pick up from the mid-2000s, as her children Prince William and Prince Harry deal with the aftermath of their mother's passing.</p> <p>"Prince William tries to integrate back into life at Eton in the wake of his mother's death as the monarchy has to ride the wave of public opinion," a synopsis for part two says.</p> <p>"As she reaches her Golden Jubilee, the Queen reflects on the future of the monarchy with the marriage of Charles and Camilla and the beginnings of a new royal fairy tale in William and Kate."</p> <p>Royal fans were delighted to wake up to a new teaser trailer for the sixth and final season of <em>The Crown</em> that was posted on social media overnight, with the post already racking up over 90,000 likes.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyLmKalP7dF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyLmKalP7dF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Netflix UK & Ireland (@netflixuk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 46-second teaser was released showing Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II walking through Buckingham Palace before appearing on the famous balcony.</p> <p>All three actresses to play the late Queen appear in the trailer, including Claire Foy and Olivia Colman.</p> <p>"The crown is a symbol of permeance. It's something you are, not what you do," the voice of Foy says.</p> <p>"Some portion of our natural selves is always lost. We have all made sacrifices. It is not a choice. It is a duty," Colman can be heard saying.</p> <p>Finally, it ends on Staunton who says, "But what about the life, I put aside? The woman I put aside?"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Netflix - Instagram</em></p>

"Thoughtful and sensitive": The Crown's plan to recreate Diana's death

<p><em>The Crown</em> have announced that they will be covering the death of Princess Diana in the upcoming season of the show, saying they will be handling the recreation "carefully". </p> <p>The Netflix drama based on the story of the royal family will be returning later this year for season six, which is expected to be the final season of the show. </p> <p>The final season of <em>The Crown</em> is set to take place between the years of 1997 to the early 2000s, including a delicate recreation of the death of the late Princess of Wales. </p> <p>Producer of the show Suzanne Mackie spoke of the upcoming season at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, saying it took a long and careful conversation to reach the decision to cover Diana's death on the show. </p> <p>She said, "The show might be big and noisy, but we're not. We're thoughtful people and we're sensitive people."</p> <p>"And so there was a very, very careful, long, long, long conversation about how we do it – and I hope, you know, the audience will judge it in the end, but I think it's been delicately, thoughtfully recreated."</p> <p>Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki will be returning as Diana after her portrayal of the late Princess in season five. </p> <p>Mackie said Debicki was an "extraordinary actress" who treated the subject carefully.</p> <p>"She was so thoughtful, considerate and loved Diana," Mackie said.</p> <p>"So there was a huge amount of respect from us all. I hope that's evident when you see it."</p> <p>Season six of the show is also set to include the early days of Prince William and Kate Middleton's love story, beginning when they met while at St Andrew's University in Scotland in 2001. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Crown Princess shares adorable snaps of new baby

<p>Malaysia's Crown Prince Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra and his wife Crown Princess Sofie Louise Johansson have shared a few adorable snaps of their newborn son. </p> <p>The couple welcomed their first child, a healthy baby boy Johan, on July 17 at the University Science Malaysia Hospital. </p> <p>Just two weeks after his birth, Princess Sofie took to Instagram to share a few snaps from her son's recent Aqiqah - an Islamic tradition performed after a child is born, where they sacrifice an animal and share the meat to the poor as a way of celebrating a new life and expressing their gratitude to Allah for blessing them with a child.</p> <p>"Today we had the Aqiqah for baby Johan," she began the post. </p> <p>"Normally the Aqiqah takes place on either the 7th day or the 14th day after birth." </p> <p>The ceremony was held at the royal palace in Kelantan's capital Kota Bharu.</p> <p>In the photos, baby Johan was pictured sleeping peacefully in a white cot, while in another photo he was resting on a padded stool in a bed surrounded by flowers. </p> <p>In another photo, a family member is pictured giving baby Johan a taste of honey as part of the Aqiqah, as it is believed to reflect the sweetness of the Qur'an. </p> <p>The baby's birth was announced just over a week ago in an official statement released by the Kelantan Sultan Office. </p> <p>"Her Highness and the royal baby are both in good health," the statement read. </p> <p>"HRH the Crown Prince and HH the Crown Princess would like to thank all the employees at [the hospital] who were involved and to all the Kelantanese who prayed for their well-being and the safe delivery of their child."</p> <p>The Crown Prince and Princess wedded in a lavish ceremony attended by over 300 people in 2019. </p> <p>They first met each other in England, when the Crown Prince was studying history at the London School of Economics and Political Science and University College London. </p> <p>The Crown Princess was working as an au pair during that time. </p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> Images: Instagram</span></em></p>

Family & Pets

World’s Best Airline crowned for 2023

<p dir="ltr">Air New Zealand has received the top honour from the <a href="https://www.airlineratings.com/news/passenger-news/air-nz-named-airline-of-the-year-for-2023/">AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards</a>, taking home the coveted title of World’s Best Airline. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s the seventh time the airline has been commended since 2013, for the likes of its innovative and multi-award-winning SkyNest economy beds, its operational safety, environmental leadership, and staff motivation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Competition was tough for the top five, with five editors looking at everything from major safety and government audits to 12 key factors including “fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offerings, and staff relations.”</p> <p dir="ltr">And while Air NZ had taken out second place to two-time-consecutive champ Qatar Airways in 2022, the situation flipped in 2023, with the airline beating out Qatar, Etihad, Korean Airlines, and Singapore for the prestigious win. </p> <p dir="ltr">As AirlineRatings’ Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said, “in our objective analysis Air New Zealand came out number one in many key areas although it was a very close scoring for the top five.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Air New Zealand’s commitment to excellence in all facets of its business starts at the top with outstanding governance and one of the best executive teams in aviation through to a workforce that is delivering consistently to the airline’s strategy and customer promise.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Like all airlines across the globe Air New Zealand has faced severe disruptions during and after the pandemic and this year huge challenges from storms and cyclones. The airline has responded well.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our editorial team was impressed by the airline’s commitment to the economy passenger and on long haul offers more comfort options than any other airline.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In response to the win, Air NZ’s CEO Greg Foran shared that the airline owed its success to the 12,000 members of staff “who wake up each morning to connect Kiwis with each other and the world.” </p> <p dir="ltr">He remarked that “it is a sign that we have got our swing back”, and like with many other airlines around the world, “we understand that our fantastic team faces difficulties in providing the service we strive for and that our customers expect. We’re working hard to address these challenges. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There is no doubt that we have more work to do to tackle customer concerns like wait times, on-time departures and arrivals, lost baggage, and refunds. We want to thank our customers for their patience and support as we work towards delivering the greatest flying experience on Earth.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Just missing out on the top five were Australia’s own Qantas and Virgin - coming in at sixth and seventh place respectively - although both airlines snagged number one positions in other categories. </p> <p dir="ltr">Qantas took out Best Lounges with its network of over 51 lounges across Australia and the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia/VirginAtlantic took home the title of Best Cabin Crew - in what marked their fifth victory in the category.</p> <p dir="ltr">And for anyone wondering how the rest of world’s top 25 premium airlines stacked up, here’s the complete list: Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa / Swiss, SAS, TAP Portugal, All Nippon Airways, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, British Airways, Jet Blue, JAL, Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Hawaiian, KLM, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

From Corona beer to the coronation, the crown is branding fit for a king

<p>As a fashion statement or piece of art, crowns are distinguished by their beauty, containing rare jewels, precious metals and velvet in deep, rich colours. As a symbol, crowns are associated with majesty, authority and sovereignty. And as the coronation of King Charles III reminds us, the crown is also a superlative brand. </p> <p>Though images of crowns are often used in royal branding, it is rare for monarchs these days to actually wear crowns. In the western monarchical tradition, the British monarchy is an exception, with kings and queens undergoing a crowning ceremony. </p> <p>In the UK the crown encompasses both the monarch and the government, namely King Charles III and His Majesty’s government. The title of the Netflix drama “The Crown” has made this association clear even to international audiences unfamiliar with British constitutional principles. </p> <p>The reign of late Queen Elizabeth II was represented by a stylised image of <a href="https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/trails/the-crown-jewels/in-detail-st-edwards-crown">St Edward’s Crown</a>. King Charles III’s reign is represented by an image of the <a href="https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/205-royal-cypher%E2%80%99">Tudor Crown</a>, which appears in the king’s royal cypher, coat of arms and the <a href="https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-04-04/the-coronation-invitation">invitations for the coronation</a>. In time, it will be seen on state documents, military uniforms, passports and post boxes throughout the UK and the 14 realms where he is head of state.</p> <p>For monarchies, the crown is the quintessential monarchical symbol – something my colleagues and I in the field of corporate marketing research have described as <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/palgrave.bm.2550031">“the crown as a brand”</a>.</p> <p>Although the European monarchies of Belgium, Denmark, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the Vatican, are known as “crowned heads of state”, they forswear coronations and eschew the wearing of crowns. Still, they all use a crown as the marque (or emblem) to represent themselves – see <a href="https://monarchie.lu/en/monarchy/orders-and-coats-arms">Luxembourg</a> and <a href="https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/the-monarchy-in-denmark/the-royal-symbols">Denmark’s</a> coats of arms.</p> <h2>Crowns of the coronation</h2> <p>The coronation of King Charles III will be a veritable festival of crowns, featuring seven crowns in total. The king will be crowned with St Edward’s crown by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and he wears this crown once. But during his exit from Westminster Abbey, he will wear the lighter <a href="https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9412/CBP-9412.pdf">Imperial State Crown</a>. Queen Camilla will also be crowned with Queen Mary’s crown. The last queen consort to undergo a coronation was in 1937. </p> <p>Four other crowns will be present during the coronation, worn by the <a href="https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/about-us/heralds-officers">kings of arms</a> – senior officers who regulate heraldry (coats of arms) in the UK and participate in major ceremonial occasions. </p> <p>The three kings of arms from England’s College of Arms will wear crowns decorated with acanthus leaves and engraved with the words of Psalm 50, <a href="http://www.medievalist.net/psalmstxt/ps50.htm">Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam misericordiam tuam</a> – “Have mercy on me, O God.” Scotland’s king of arms from the Court of the Lord Lyon will wear a crown which is a facsimile of the <a href="https://exarandorum.com/2023/04/25/crown-of-lord-lyon/">Scottish royal crown</a>. Heraldry can be viewed as an early form of branding. Many UK universities, for example, have a coat of arms as their <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41262-023-00316-x">visual identity</a>.</p> <p>An eighth crown – the actual Scottish crown and one of the oldest in Europe – will not be at the coronation, but will be presented to the king at a <a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23473755.king-charles-coronation-special-scottish-service-planned/">special service</a> later in the year.</p> <h2>Crown brands in business</h2> <p>The exclusiveness and majesty associated with royal crowns has meant that many organisations use a crown as their brand name or logo. The phrase “crowning achievement” refers to an excellent accomplishment. Likewise, a crown in branding communicates quality, status, class and reliability. </p> <p>Some iconic brands, such as Twinings Tea, Heinz and Waitrose, benefit from an official royal endorsement, having been awarded a <a href="https://theconversation.com/royal-warrants-are-good-for-business-and-benefit-the-british-monarchy-too-192115">royal warrant</a> by a king or queen, or other senior royal family members. They may use the royal coat of arms as a type of royal brand endorsement. </p> <p>The <a href="https://www.kongehuset.dk/en/organisation-and-contact/the-royal-warrant-and-copyright/">Danish royal warrant</a> entitles an organisation to display “an image of the crown along with the company’s name on signs”. Carlsberg beer is a prominent example of this. </p> <p>Sometimes permission is granted to use the royal crown as a distinct brand marque as per <a href="https://www.logo-designer.co/the-clearing-creates-new-visual-identity-design-for-ascot-horseracing/">Royal Ascot horseracing</a>, or in a coat of arms such as in the former <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1057/s41262-023-00316-x">Royal College of Science and Technology in Glasgow</a>.</p> <p>Of course, while some brands have an official royal endorsement, most organisations with a crown name or logo do not have a direct association with monarchy. Sometimes the crown brand name is used for its cultural associations – see the many British pubs called “The Crown”.</p> <p>Regal branding has taken hold internationally. Among the companies using a crown name are Couronne (Korean handbags), Crown Bank (USA), Crown Class (Royal Jordanian Airways), Royal Crown Derby (English porcelain), Crowne Plaza Hotels (UK), Crown Royal (Canadian Whiskey), Crown Worldwide Distribution Group (Hong Kong) and Krone (South African sparkling wine). </p> <p>Those with a crown logo include Columbia University (USA), Cunard (UK), Dolce & Gabbana (Italy), Hallmark Cards (USA), Moët and Chandon (France), Ritz Carlton Hotels (USA) and Rolex (Switzerland). </p> <p>The Mexican beer brand Corona, which uses both a crown name and logo, is the most valuable beer brand in the world, <a href="https://brandfinance.com/press-releases/18003">worth US$7 billion</a>.</p> <p>Even in a world of republics, it is clear that the crown as a brand not only endures, but flourishes. The crowning of the king and queen will be the zenith of the coronation service. For producers of Corona beer and other brands featuring crowns around the world, the visual and verbal link of crown and monarchy will be, in a way, a reminder to consumers that their products are fit for a king.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-corona-beer-to-the-coronation-the-crown-is-branding-fit-for-a-king-204409" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Beauty & Style

Gillian Anderson shuts down The Crown rumours

<p dir="ltr">Gillian Anderson has shut down reports stating she declined to return for season 6 of <em>The Crown</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The sixth and final instalment of the show is welcoming many newcomers, with a major cast update revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rufus Kampas and Ed McVey will portray Prince William and Meg Bellamy will play Katie Middleton.</p> <p dir="ltr">Anderson, who won an Emmy for her role as Margaret Thatcher in the show's fourth season, has taken to social media to debunk a report claiming she declined to reprise her role of Thatcher. </p> <p dir="ltr">The actress responded to the rumour posted by @MetroUK on Twitter, writing, “absolutely bollocks.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Absolute bollocks <a href="https://t.co/MBh4XdzruD">https://t.co/MBh4XdzruD</a></p> <p>— Gillian Anderson (@GillianA) <a href="https://twitter.com/GillianA/status/1645454002316869633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">According to <em>The Sun</em>, season six of The Crown has been in “chaos”, with rewrites required after Anderson was rumoured to reprise her role due to scheduling conflicts.</p> <p dir="ltr">The outlet noted that Netflix executives had been hoping to bring back Anderson so that Thatcher would be on-screen for the golden winning anniversary of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.</p> <p dir="ltr">The report, which Anderson disputed, claimed the dinner scene will recreate another dinner scene, one where the Queen will read the “strength and stay” speech. </p> <p dir="ltr">The focus for <em>The Crown’s</em> final season will be Prince William and Kate Middleton. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-42b311bb-7fff-09bb-54e0-601b799c3ff7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Queen Consort will NOT wear controversial crown at coronation

<p>For the first time in recent history, the queen consort will be wearing a recycled crown for the coronation rather than have a new one commissioned.</p> <p>Camilla will wear a modified version of Queen Mary’s crown, made by Garrad for the 1911 coronation and commissioned by Queen Mary, the consort of George V.</p> <p>In tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, the crown will be modified with the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds, part of the late queen’s personal jewellery collection, often worn by her as brooches.</p> <p>Buckingham Palace has announced that the recycled crown will not feature the Koh-i-Noor diamond.</p> <p>The Koh-i-Noor diamond was seized by the East India Company in 1849 and presented to Queen Victoria, which featured in the late queen's mother’s crown in 1937.</p> <p>The Koh-i-Noor diamond is controversial in terms of how it was acquired and what it symbolises. A spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata party of Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, was recently reported saying it “brings back painful memories of the colonial past.”</p> <p>The last time a queen consort crown has been re-used was in the 18th century when queen Caroline, consort of George II, wore Mary of Modena’s crown.</p> <p>“The choice of Queen Mary’s crown by her majesty is the first time in recent history that an existing crown will be used for the coronation of a consort instead of a new commission being made, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency.” Buckingham Palace announced.</p> <p>It’s not the first time the Cullinan diamonds have been set into Queen Mary’s crown, Cullinan III and IV were temporarily set in the crown for the 1911 coronation, and the Cullinan V was added to the crown when it was worn as a regal circlet at King George VI’s coronation in 1937.</p> <p>In addition, four of the crown’s eight detachable arches are set to be removed to create a different impression from when it was worn by Queen Mary at the 1911 coronation.</p> <p>The design was inspired by Queen Alexandra’s crown, worn in 1902. It can be worn without the arches in the form of a regal circlet, which Queen Mary wore for the coronation of her son, King George VI, in 1937.</p> <p>St Edward’s crown will be used for the coronation of the king and has been returned to public display at the Tower of London after the modification work, Buckingham Palace announced.</p> <p>Queen Mary’s crown has been removed from display at the Tower of London to be modified before the king’s coronation on May 6 at Westminister Abbey.</p> <p>Image credit: Getty</p>

Beauty & Style

5 things the latest season of The Crown got right and 3 things that were inaccurate

<h2>Separating fact from fiction</h2> <p>Season 5 of <em>The Crown</em> finally aired on Netflix after two years of waiting. The first season of <em>The Crown </em>aired in 2016, telling the story of all the major players in the royal family trees starting just before Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne. Every season since has covered roughly a decade or so in the lives of the royals.</p> <p>The new season of <em>The Crown</em> takes place between 1991 and 1997 and sees Charles and Diana nearing the end of their tumultuous marriage, securing their position as global tabloid fodder. (And, as season five points out, coverage of their lives would often blur the line between journalism and salacious gossip.)</p> <p>Despite the fact that there was so much real-life royal drama during this time, there are elements of <em>The Crown </em>that are not based on real events – so much so that Netflix added a disclaimer when releasing the trailer for this season that stated, ‘Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatisation tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II and the political and personal events that shaped her reign.’</p> <p>It can be confusing to parse fact from fiction. Here’s a fact check of <em>The Crown</em> season five to help understand what’s real and what’s not.</p> <h2>Here’s what was actually true in The Crown – and what wasn’t</h2> <p>Most of the historical events that have appeared on <em>The Crown</em> are based on true events. Let’s start with a few things that definitely happened.</p> <p> </p> <div> </div> <p> </p> <h2>Truth: Martin Bashir did use false evidence to convince Princess Diana to appear on Panorama</h2> <p>On <em>The Crown</em> Season 5 Episode 7, BBC journalist Martin Bashir (played by Prasanna Puwanarajah) is shown fabricating fake bank statements to convince Charles Spencer and his sister, Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki), into believing that members of their trusted teams were being paid off by British intelligence services for information about them. In turn, Bashir played into their fears and earned Diana’s trust enough to convince her to appear on his TV show, Panorama, giving one of the most explosive interviews of the decade.</p> <p>In 2020, an independent inquiry did find Bashir guilty of wrongdoing, and the BBC apologised to Charles Spencer for Bashir’s deception.</p> <h2>Truth: Prince Philip was a world-class carriage driver</h2> <p>Season 5 Episode 2 is when we learn of Prince Philip’s obsession with carriage driving. In fact, Philip (played by actor Jonathan Pryce) was not just a hobbyist in the sport, but he competed internationally as a member of the British Diving Team. He also wrote several books and served as the president of the Fédération Équestre Internationale.</p> <h2>Truth: Windsor Castle sustained massive fire damage in 1992</h2> <p>In Season 5 Episode 4, Queen Elizabeth (Imelda Staunton) referred to 1992 as an “annus horribilis,” or, a horrible year. It was the year that marked the separation of Charles and Diana as well as Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. Adding to the heartbreak, 1992 was also the year that Windsor Castle caught fire when a spotlight ignited a curtain, destroying dozens of rooms and several priceless works of art.</p> <h2>Truth: Mohamed Al-Fayed hired the Duke of Windsor’s former valet, Sydney Johnson, to work for him</h2> <p>In Season 5 Episode 3, we are introduced to Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw), the Egyptian businessman who would build up an empire that included the Ritz Hotel in Paris and Harrods Department Store in London. As the show depicts, Al-Fayed was a lifelong Anglophile and did meet and hire Sydney Johnson, a Bahamian man who previously spent three decades as Edward, Duke of Windsor’s valet after Edward abdicated the throne. Johnson began working for Al-Fayed in 1977, five years after Edward passed away. After Edward’s wife, Wallis Simpson died, Al-Fayed purchased their Paris estate and, along with Johnson, helped restore it.</p> <p>With regard to the end of this episode, when Mohamed Al-Fayed met Princess Diana, while we’re not sure if they really did bond instantly at a polo match, it’s true that the two became friends years before Diana began dating Mohamed’s son, Dodi Al-Fayed. Dodi would later die in the 1997 car crash that also took Diana’s life.</p> <h2>Truth: tampongate really did happen</h2> <p>In 1989, when Charles and Camilla’s affair was not yet public, the two engaged in a phone conversation where Charles compared himself to a tampon. The conversation was later released to the public in 1993 after Diana and Charles separated.</p> <h2>And now for a few things that appear on The Crown season 5 that didn’t actually happen… Fiction: The Sunday Times poll</h2> <p>Throughout the season, Prince Charles (Dominic West) is seen as a man who is ready for new responsibilities. Specifically, the responsibility of being king. In Episode 1, a poll revealing that half the British population thinks that his ageing mother Queen Elizabeth, should abdicate her role is published in the Sunday Times, and Charles takes that as a sign that he should start preparing himself to be king. He even goes so far as to meet with Prime Minister John Major (Jonny Lee Miller) to seek his support.</p> <p>But, none of that happened. There was no such poll published in 1991 by the Sunday Times, and no such conversation between Major and the Prince of Wales. In fact, Major is one of this season’s biggest detractors. He has called the series “a barrel-load of nonsense.”</p> <h2>Fiction: Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull’s affair</h2> <p>It’s true that Prince Philip and his godson’s wife, Penny Knatchbull, were both invested in the sport of carriage driving, and it is also true that their friendship was fodder for speculation that there was something more to it. But alas, there is no concrete evidence that Prince Philip engaged in an affair with Penny.</p> <h2>Fiction: Diana warning the queen about her Panorama interview</h2> <p>Everyone involved in Princess Diana’s Panorama interview knew it was a giant risk to let the estranged princess speak so candidly on the most revered broadcasting network in the country. While it’s true that Marmaduke Hussey, then-chairman of the BBC, felt that it was a disgrace to air the interview, the queen herself was not actually given a heads-up by Diana before the inflammatory program aired in 1995. The conversation between Diana and the queen was pure fabrication, confirmed by Patrick Jephson, Diana’s press secretary at the time.</p> <p>While it can be confusing parsing out what <em>The Crown</em> gets wrong about the royal family and what the show gets right, season 5 remains as engrossing as ever thanks to its excelling writing and cast. What we do know for sure is that season six, which tackles the final months of Diana’s life and the years after, can’t come soon enough.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/5-things-the-latest-season-of-the-crown-got-right-and-3-things-that-were-inaccurate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p> <em>Image: Netflix</em></p>

Dame Judi Dench slams "crude" and "cruel" new season of The Crown

<p>Dame Judi Dench has defended the royal family against the latest season of <em>The Crown</em>, calling it "crude" and "cruel" in the wake of Queen Elizabeth's death.</p> <p>The actress penned an open letter to Netflix in <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-crown-is-crude-and-cruel-says-dame-judi-dench-l6wzqpns9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times UK</a>, complaining that the “closer the drama comes to our present times, the more freely it seems willing to blur the lines between historical accuracy and crude sensationalism”.</p> <p>Dench called on Netflix to issue a disclaimer at the beginning of each episode of the highly anticipated new season of the show, reminding audiences that <em>The Crown</em> is a fictionalised drama. </p> <p>Dench, who was made a dame by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1988, said she was concerned that viewers would take <em>The Crown</em>’s account as historically accurate.</p> <p>She continued in her letter, “Given some of the wounding suggestions apparently contained in the new series – that King Charles plotted for his mother to abdicate, for example, or once suggested his mother’s parenting was so deficient that she might have deserved a jail sentence – this is both cruelly unjust to the individuals and damaging to the institution they represent."</p> <p>“No one is a greater believer in artistic freedom than I, but this cannot go unchallenged. Despite this week stating publicly that <em>The Crown</em> has always been a ‘fictionalised drama’ the program makers have resisted all calls for them to carry a disclaimer at the start of each episode."</p> <p>“The time has come for Netflix to reconsider – for the sake of a family and a nation so recently bereaved, as a mark of respect to a sovereign who served her people so dutifully for 70 years, and to preserve their own reputation in the eyes of their British subscribers.”</p> <p>Dench said she was not asked by any members of the royal family to pen the letter and did so of her own volition. </p> <p>The upcoming fifth season of <em>The Crown</em> has has stirred consternation in royal, aristocratic and political circles, as the season is expected to focus on the acrimonious breakdown of Charles and Diana’s marriage, which was played out publicly at the time under intense media scrutiny.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

The Crown sparks backlash over plans to recreate Diana’s final moments

<p dir="ltr">Royal drama <em>The Crown</em> has drawn criticism after announcing plans to recreate Princess Diana’s final moments in Paris, with crew members fearing “a line has been crossed”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The show, which stars Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki as Diana, is facing increasing upset over its plotlines and claims of insensitivity in the wake of Queen Elizabeth II’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Scenes suggesting that Prince Philip had an affair with a female friend are also causing strife for the producers.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, <em>The Sun </em>reports that scenes focusing on Diana’s ill-fated Paris trip in 1997 and the days and hours before the fatal car crash in the Alma tunnel are being worked on, with a source from the show telling the outlet that some crew members are starting to push back on the show’s ideas.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To be going back to Paris and turning Diana’s final days and hours into a drama feels very uncomfortable,” the source said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Finally, some of the crew members are pushing back on the ideas being tabled.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The show always tried to present a fictional version of royal history with as much sensitivity as possible.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But lately, as things get closer to the present day, it feels harder to strike that balance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With some of those moments still so fresh and upsetting, it feels as though a line is being crossed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some production staff are now starting to speak up about their feelings.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesman for Netflix told the outlet that the “exact moment of the crash impact” won’t be recreated or shown.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, sources close to Prince William said they expect him to be angered by the show’s reproduction of his mother’s final days for entertainment purposes</p> <p dir="ltr">New scenes alleging then-Prince Charles went against his late mother, suggesting she was too old and out of touch, are also facing criticism - but a <em>Crown </em>spokesman defended the controversial scenes as “fictional dramatisation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Series five is a fictional dramatisation, imagining what could have happened behind closed doors.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7fad5096-7fff-e3ea-5cc4-4edb21d477b4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @thecrownnetflix (Instagram)</em></p>

World’s Ugliest Dog crowned

<p dir="ltr">A 17-year-old dog called Mr Happy Face has been dubbed the world’s ugliest dog. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Chihuahua-Chinese crested mix has an evil scientist look to it with a long tongue hanging out and boofy white hair. </p> <p dir="ltr">The event was held on June 25, with dog owners from around the US coming together to see whether or not their pet will win the title of the world’s ugliest dog. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Happy Face, who was adopted by musician Jeneda Benally in August 2021, was told by the shelter that he only had a few weeks left to live due to being neglected and the tumours he had. </p> <p dir="ltr">She said that Mr Happy Face “chose her” when she found out another dog she wanted had already been adopted. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I saw a creature who was indeed old, needed a second chance and deserved to be loved,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He came from a hoarder’s house where the conditions were deplorable. He was a survivor of abuse and neglect.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I first met him, he was the happiest creature that I had ever met. He hobbled up to me and chose me. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I vowed that day, he would be so loved that he would never remember how awful his previous life had been. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Love, kindness and mommy kisses have helped him defy the anticipated short life that we all expected him to have with our family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t feel like I have the world’s ugliest dog, I feel like I’ve got the world’s most-loved dog who is bringing happiness to everybody.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jeneda won a total of $US1500 ($A2170) after Mr Happy Face won the competition. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Event Center</em></p>

Family & Pets

Crown Princess Mary stuns at fashion event

<p dir="ltr">Crown Princess Mary stunned crowds as she gave the opening speech at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 50-year-old attended the event on June 7 which is the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion. </p> <p dir="ltr">Photos of the event were shared by the Danish Royal Family on their Instagram as they shared the Princess’s experience at the popular event. </p> <p dir="ltr">“These days, more than 1000 representatives of the fashion industry are gathered in Copenhagen for the Global Fashion Summit, which is a leading international summit focusing on sustainability in the fashion and textile industry,” the caption read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess today gave the opening speech at the Opera in her capacity as patron of the Global Fashion Summit and Global Fashion Agenda. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceg3E0tA0Ov/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceg3E0tA0Ov/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“The Crown Princess first participated in the Global Fashion Summit in 2009, and since then, the green transition in the fashion industry has come at the top of the summit's agenda.</p> <p dir="ltr">“According to a recent UN report, the fashion and textile industry accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Global Fashion Agenda, which is the organization behind the Global Fashion Summit, works, among other things, for the industry to be climate neutral in 2050.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the Crown Princess’s speech, she attended a number of panels with several decision makers in the fashion industry. </p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Mary was then able to experience first-hand how fashion designers ethically and environmentally create their clothes. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The Crown Princess could experience the restoration of recycled clothing, digitization of the textile industry's value chain, environmentally friendly dyeing of clothing and many other innovative solutions to the green transformation in the fashion industry.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Crown Princess Mary’s trip to Bangladesh

<p dir="ltr">Crown Princess Mary is on a three day trip in Bangladesh and has shared her adventures in a selfie-style vlog online.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Mary arrived at Dhaka where she was greeted by Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed to start off her business trip.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 50-year-old was accompanied on the trip by Development Cooperation Flemming Møller Mortensen, who together met with workers from Danish companies in Bangladesh.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Princess is working toward an agreement which would see both countries collaborate on green, Earth-friendly products.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the incredible footage, Princess Mary is speaking in Dutch to her loyal fans, explaining the purpose of her trip. </p> <p dir="ltr">“On this journey, the focus is on the consequences of climate change for the population, nature and biodiversity, for Bangladesh is one of the world's most climate vulnerable countries, and it is expected that by 2050, up to 20 million people will be displaced,' Princess Mary says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We need to focus more than ever on the diversity of nature and to promote projects aimed at conserving and protecting nature.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In Bangladesh, there is a worrying pressure on natural resources. At the same time, the country is one of the most vulnerable countries in relation to the negative consequences of climate change - also for the population.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This means, among other things, that people often have to move because they can no longer grow their crops or because areas are flooded.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cc0i3ytlzmV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cc0i3ytlzmV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The video, which has been viewed more than 77,000 times received praise from her fans, commending the princess for her work. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Important work, thank you for sharing!” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Important to see you out in the field keeping it real Mary. Good work x,” another wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you so much for all of your work crown Princess,” someone else commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">In other posts, the Princess is seen taking selfies with members of the community, playing with children all while on her trip. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

New images of Crown Princess Mary's daughter released on her birthday

<p dir="ltr">A series of beautiful new photos of Crown Princess Mary’s daughter has been released in honour of her 15th birthday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Isabella, born on April 21, 2007 at Copenhagen University Hospital, stunned in the four images which showed the uncanny resemblance to her mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The princess celebrates her birthday with family and friends, and on the occasion of the day, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess have the great pleasure of sharing a new photo series of the birthday girl,” the caption translated from Danish to English read.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans of the Royal Danish Family wished the Princess happy birthday on the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So stunning beautiful looks from her mother and father. Happy Birthday Princess Isabella,” one person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Strong and beautiful portrait series,” another translated comment read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations on your birthday,” someone else wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Isabella is the second child and eldest daughter of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, along with Prince Christian, born in October 2005 and twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine, born in January 201. </p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Isabella is second in line of succession to the Danish throne after her brother Prince Christian. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her confirmation will occur on April 30, at Fredensborg Palace Church.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Hasse Nielsen/Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Jada Pinkett Smith and Black women’s hair: History of disrespect leads to the CROWN Act

<p>The fallout from “the slap” at this year’s Oscars continues. Last week, Will Smith <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-smith-resigns-from-the-academy-slapped-chris-rock-at-oscars/">resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</a>, after the academy issued a statement <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/will-smith-chris-rock-slap-oscars-academy-formal-review/">condemning</a> Smith’s actions.</p> <p>There have been innumerable media stories about “the slap,” including <a href="https://theconversation.com/will-smiths-oscar-slap-reveals-fault-lines-as-he-defends-jada-pinkett-smith-against-chris-rock-podcast-180280">an episode of <em>Don’t Call Me Resilient</em></a>. “The joke,” however, has received less attention. <a href="https://www.capitalfm.com/news/chris-rock-will-smith-jada-pinkett-slap-oscars-gi-jane-joke/">“Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2 can’t wait to see you</a>,” is what Rock said to Jada Pinkett Smith and the Oscar night audience before Smith got up and slapped him.</p> <p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119173/"><em>G.I. Jane</em></a> is a 1997 fictional drama starring Demi Moore about the first woman to undergo training in the United States Navy Seals. Moore’s “feminine” character, Jane O'Neil, is <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/review97/fgijane.htm">chosen</a> by a female politician attempting to make a point in her battle against the <a href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/gender/2021/04/22/the-hidden-masculinization-and-militarization-of-the-canadian-citizenship-guide/">inherent sexism in the military</a>. To “keep hanging,” O'Neil “divests herself of any trace of femininity” and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU_mJDOB7ZM">shaves her head</a>.</p> <p>Although a shaven head for a woman should not signify anything but a <a href="https://www.etalk.ca/celebrity/celebrities-who-shaved-their-heads-and-looked-absolutely-amazing.html">style choice</a>, Pinkett Smith’s shaven head is also due to alopecia. In 2021, she <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8a93q1We4E0">shared a video on Instagram</a> explaining <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926">the disorder</a>.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYB7dMppvjk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CYB7dMppvjk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Regardless of the reasons for Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle, Rock’s joke was yet <a href="https://screencrush.com/g-i-jane-oscars-joke/">another jab at a Black woman’s hair</a>. We Black women have learned to love our hair, despite a wider culture that has, historically, not accepted its diversity.</p> <p>In fact, Black women have been fighting the court system for 40 years to get protection from hair discrimination.</p> <p><strong>Alopecia disproportionately affects Black women</strong></p> <p>In my 2019 book, <a href="https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/B/Beauty-in-a-Box2"><em>Beauty in a Box</em></a> I examined the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5163">dermatological research on hair loss</a>. Two U.S. studies, from 2009 and 2017, found that <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/central-centrifugal-cicatricial-alopecia">central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia</a> (CCCA) is often underdiagnosed; some estimates report that 17 per cent of Black women have this condition.</p> <p>Some of the reasons why Black women are more adversely affected by CCCA are due to tight braiding hairstyles, long-term use of hair weaves, lace-front wigs and chemical relaxers.</p> <p>While Rock might not have known of Pinkett Smith’s alopecia, in his 2009 documentary <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213585/"><em>Good Hair</em></a> he spoke to Black women about their hair, especially about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCEX34-1o6M">chemical relaxers</a>.</p> <p><em>Good Hair</em> was a successful film for Rock, but that does not mean he grew from the project.</p> <p><strong>Black hair discrimination and the CROWN Act</strong></p> <p><em>Glamour</em>’s <a href="https://www.glamour.com/story/the-crown-act-september-2020-cover-story">September 2020 cover story</a> was dedicated to six Black women who endured discrimination at work because of their hair. The feature explained how curly, “kinky” or big hair carries meaning for Black women.</p> <p>For example, a <a href="https://www.ellecanada.com/beauty/hair/how-to-style-a-messy-topknot-so-it-looks-chic-not-just-out-of-bed">messy topknot is considered chic</a> on a white woman, while a Black woman with natural hair such as large Afro or locs would be considered unkempt and has <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2513893/Florida-girl-threatened-expulsion-afro-hair.html">led to workplace reprimand</a>.</p> <p>On March 18, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/03/18/1087661765/house-votes-crown-act-discrimination-hair-style">CROWN Act</a>, banning hair discrimination at private places of work, federal programs and public accommodations. CROWN stands for <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2116">Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5edc69fd622c36173f56651f/t/5edeaa2fe5ddef345e087361/1591650865168/Dove_research_brochure2020_FINAL3.pdf">A 2019 Dove study</a> found that Black women were 80 per cent more likely to feel pressure to change their hairstyles to fit in at the office. Black women were also 83 per cent more likely to report being judged on her looks than other women.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VPvBmkIA-g?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">‘Subjects of Desire’ by Jennifer Holeness delves into issues of race, power and beauty.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>The CROWN Act is not yet an official law. Despite <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/house/598757-house-passes-crown-act-banning-race-based-hair-discrimination/">President Joe Biden expressing strong support for the bill</a>, there may not be enough votes to pass it.</p> <p><strong>Rogers vs. American Airlines</strong></p> <p>In 1981, American Airlines fired ticket agent Renee Rogers for wearing cornrows. She <a href="https://scholar.google.ca/scholar_case?case=6092364812619612919&q=Rogers+v.+American+Airlines&hl=en&as_sdt=2006&as_vis=1">filed a discrimination suit</a> challenging the airline’s policy prohibiting employees from wearing an all-braided hairstyle, claiming that such a policy violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and discriminated against her as a woman, and also as a Black person.</p> <p>Legal scholar <a href="https://doi.org/10.2307/1372731">Paulette Cladwell</a> explained how and why the U.S. Federal District Court of New York rejected Rogers’s claim that the style evoked her African heritage.</p> <p>The court said her hairstyle was a result of having seen the <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078721/">1979 film <em>10</em></a>, starring <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au0Pp_9oQbo">Bo Derek who makes an appearance wearing long braids</a> with beads at the ends. It became known as the “<a href="https://law.fiu.edu/2019/10/11/the-unnatural-treatment-of-natural-hair-courts-failure-to-recognize-hairstyle-discrimination-as-race-discrimination-the-need-for-state-legislature-action/">Bo Derek defence</a>.” <em>Rogers vs. American Airlines</em> was a landmark case because it set a precedent that sanctioned the firing of Black women on the basis of their hair.</p> <p>In 2016, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a lawsuit filed by the <a href="https://www.vox.com/2018/4/18/17242788/chastity-jones-dreadlock-job-discrimination">Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against Catastrophe Management Solutions (CMS) for firing Chastity Jones, a Black woman</a>, because she wore her hair in locs. The lawsuit shared much in common with <em>Rogers vs. American Airlines</em>. Lawyers for Jones also argued that her termination was in violation of the Civil Rights Act.</p> <p>The court of appeals ruled that <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/u-s-court-rules-dreadlock-ban-during-hiring-process-legal-n652211">CMS’s “race-neutral grooming policy” was not discriminatory</a> because while hairstyles are “culturally associated with race” they are “not immutable physical characteristics.” The court ruled that a hairstyle might be closely associated with one’s culture but because it is changeable, it is not protectable under the law and an employer is within its rights to use it as a reason to deny employment.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/456215/original/file-20220404-12538-fk7qau.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown smiles." /><figcaption><span class="caption">Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson smiles in Washington on March 31, 2022.</span> <span class="attribution">(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Hair has also come up in discussions on <a href="https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/a39520244/judge-ketanji-brown-jacksons-locs/">Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings</a> because the legal profession has often discouraged natural hairdos. In 2007, an editor from <em>Glamour</em> in a “do’s and don'ts” fashion event at a New York law firm <a href="https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/almID/1188161099761/?slreturn=20220304144452">called locs “truly dreadful.”</a></p> <p><strong>Why Black hair jokes aren’t funny</strong></p> <p>When Black women are in legal and cultural battles for the right to wear their hair as they choose, jokes about our hair just aren’t funny. The <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2019/02/06/685506578/is-beauty-in-the-eyes-of-the-colonizer">straight hair standard of beauty has been called toxic</a> not only to Black women but women in general for the ways it valorizes white, western beauty ideals.</p> <p>One may argue that public figures should be open to criticism. For example, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson often shows up with his hair in disarray <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/how-boris-johnsons-hair-defined-britain/">which gets poked fun at by media</a>. The difference is that there is no threat to his livelihood.</p> <p>Until Black women can wear their hair how they want without risk of ridicule, reprimand or termination, a joke targeting Black hair is no laughing matter.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/180631/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/cheryl-thompson-662166">Cheryl Thompson</a>, Assistant Professor, Performance, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/ryerson-university-1607">Ryerson University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/jada-pinkett-smith-and-black-womens-hair-history-of-disrespect-leads-to-the-crown-act-180631">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Aussie Town of the Year crowned for 2022

<p dir="ltr">With Australia being such a huge country, knowing where the best places are can make it easier to plan an unforgettable trip.</p> <p dir="ltr">To help prospective travellers, <a href="https://www.wotif.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wotif</a> has announced the country’s top places to visit - and Launceston in Tasmania has taken the top prize as the 2022 Aussie Town of the Year.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-db417037-7fff-3ce2-9265-a8d09c291dfc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Launceston’s fresh produce, renowned sparkling wine and commitment to great food is world-famous,” said Daniel Finch, the managing director of Wotif.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/launceston1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Launceston has been crowned the best Aussie town for 2022. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">“With some of Tasmania’s most spectacular natural landmarks just a short drive away, including the Tamar Valley, Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park and the Bay of Fire, it’s no surprise that demand for the city has grown by over 125 percent on Wotif.com.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although international borders have begun to reopen, Wotif found that a third of Aussies plan to stay within Australia, while 24 percent plan to visit somewhere new.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though Tasmania took the top spot, the top ten featured entries from each of the six states.</p> <p dir="ltr">Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Bright and Halls Gap made the list, making it the state with the most prized destinations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Caloundra and Hervey Bay made the list on behalf of Queensland, while Tamworth and Batemans Bay represented New South Wales.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Wotif’s 2022 Aussie Town of the Year Award winners</strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Launceston, TAS</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Caloundra, QLD</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tamworth, NSW</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Yarra Valley, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Adelaide Hills, SA</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Bright, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Hervey Bay, QLD</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Halls Gap, VIC</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Batemans Bay, NSW</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Busselton, WA</p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-f41d2804-7fff-59ea-759b-7138a2a90a6b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

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