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KING Charles is set to attend every day of Royal Ascot after he “surprised himself” at how much he loves the occasion. 

He and Camilla will be ever-present at the five-day meet, cheering on their horses from the royal box. 

David Dyson- Commissioned by The Sun

King Charles will attend every day of Royal Ascot this year after admitting he ‘surprised himself’ at how much he loves the occasion[/caption]

David Dyson- Commissioned by The Sun

The King and Queen enjoying the Ascot meeting[/caption]

Charles has been a regular at the event throughout the years supporting his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who loved horse racing. Camilla is also a big fan.

But since Charles became King, he has had a leading role there — and has enjoyed getting stuck in. 

A source said: “Camilla has been passionate about horse racing for many years but the King has surprised himself by how much he enjoys it. 

“It is an opportunity to catch up with guests and show support for the horse racing industry.” 

It is believed the King has two horses running at the festival, although the full list of runners and riders has yet to be officially confirmed. 

His horse The King’s Falcon could be a shrewd bet after the three-year-old gelding won at Carlisle two weeks ago. 

The week kicks off on Tuesday when the King Charles III Stakes is one of the opening day highlights. 

But news of the King’s fondness of racing comes after it emerged the 76-year-old will not appear on horseback at Trooping the Colour tomorrow. 

It is the second year in a row Charles has been forced to ride in a carriage for his official birthday parade because of his prostate operation and cancer diagnosis. 

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HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

(PG) 125mins

★★★☆☆

AP

Hiccup (Mason Thames) and Toothless take flight[/caption]

AP

Nick Frost is hugely likeable as Gobber the Belch[/caption]

THIS live-action adaptation of How To Train Your Dragon is a gorgeous, heartfelt film full of emotion and excitement.

However, as it sticks so closely to the 2010 animated version of Cressida Cowell’s books, it feels more like a copy than a fresh take on the beloved story.

Director Dean DeBlois returns, along with composer John Powell and Gerard Butler, now playing Stoick in person. It’s clear they all care deeply about the original.

Still, that reverence and respect keeps the film from taking risks or trying anything new and fresh.

The story is the same — and, naturally, it still works. Hiccup (Mason Thames), a young Viking with more brain power than physical prowess, lives on the rugged isle of Berk.

Despite his warrior lineage, the teenager has never quite fitted in with his tribe.

Thrilling scenes

When he finds an injured young dragon, instead of killing it like he’s supposed to, Hiccup decides to help it learn to fly again.

Their unlikely friendship drives this beautifully touching story and eventually changes everything for Hiccup and his people.

Thames brings warmth and charm to the role, and Toothless — thanks to inspired CGI — is as expressive and lovable as ever.

Nico Parker’s Astrid gets more screen time in this version, and she makes the most of it.

Her performance is strong, and her character feels sturdier and more developed.

Gerard Butler does a solid job as Stoick, Hiccup’s tough-but-caring father, though his live-action performance isn’t quite as memorable as his voice work in the original.

Elsewhere, Nick Frost is hugely likeable as Gobber the Belch, a pal of Stoick’s and teacher of the tribe’s dragon-training recruits.

Visually, the film looks beautiful. Cinematographer Bill Pope captures the rough beauty of Berk and creates some thrilling dragon flight scenes.

But even at its most stunning, the movie struggles to match the magic and creativity of the animated version’s look and feel.

The adaptation moves along smoothly and confidently, but rarely manages to surprise.

For people who are new to the story, it will be exciting and moving.

But for fans of the original, it may feel a little too familiar and not as magical second time around.

LOLLIPOP

(15) 100mins

★★★★☆

supplied

AFTER leaving prison, Molly Brown finds herself in a catch-22 situation.

To get her two young children back, she needs to have a home for them to live in. But the council will only provide Molly with accommodation if she has custody of her kids.

This kitchen sink drama from British director Daisy-May Hudson will have you shifting awkwardly in your seat as Molly makes one terrible decision after another in an attempt to see the children she so clearly loves.

Hudson, whose own mum was made homeless, pulls the audience’s sympathies this way and that. On the one side, Molly has been dealt a poor hand due to her alcoholic and belittling mum who calls her Lollipop, but on the other she doesn’t help herself by threatening social services.

Newcomer Posy Sterling is a revelation as the troubled mum. But not all the cast impress and if you want to know why Molly spent time behind bars, you’ll be left disappointed.

Lollipop is not a piece of throwaway confectionery but isn’t for cinemagoers who prefer to escape into a sweet-tasting world.

GRANT ROLLINGS

TORNADO

(15) 90mins

★★★☆☆

Alamy

Tornado combines elements of folk legends and samurai-style action[/caption]

JOHN MACLEAN’s Tornado is a unique, somewhat sad revenge western full of dark, beautiful imagery.

The story takes place in a bleak, empty landscape of 18th-century Scotland and combines elements of folk legends and samurai-style action to create an interesting, if slightly muddled storyline.

Mitsuki Kimura (credited as Kôki) brings spikey charisma to the role of Tornado, a travelling artist and sword performer who roams the empty moors with her father (Takehiro Hira), staging bizarre puppet and samurai shows to wandering villagers.

But their eccentric life is shattered when a child’s theft of gold drags them into the path of Sugarman (a brilliant Tim Roth) and his brutal criminal gang.

Meanwhile, Slow Horses star Jack Lowden, who plays one of Sugarman’s henchmen, is let down by a screenplay that gives him little to work with.

The film’s best asset is its atmosphere – the windswept landscapes feel almost otherworldly and the score adds eerie tension.

Tornado may not be to everyone’s taste, but its originality deserves more than a nod of respect.

LINDA MARRIC

DEAR DEIDRE: FOR years I’d had a nagging feeling something wasn’t right in my relationship, but nothing could have prepared me for the discovery that my husband was having an affair with our daughter’s netball coach.

I’m 48, and my husband is 49. We’ve been married for 25 years and have two daughters, aged 18 and 20.

I was clueless about his betrayal until I was having a clear-out a few weeks ago and discovered an old love letter my daughter’s netball coach had written to my husband in his bedside table drawer.

It referenced our eldest doing her A-levels so I knew it was around two years old. I was gobsmacked.

Back then, I knew something was off. He had become so cold and distracted.

He was constantly working late and spending weekends “running errands” or glued to his phone.

I remember asking if there was someone else, but he denied it and made me feel paranoid for even suggesting it.

Now I feel like a fool. This coach was in our lives regularly. She knew me well.

He claims it was a brief fling and that it ended long ago. He swears he never stopped loving me and that it was the worst mistake of his life.

I feel violated and humiliated, like our marriage has been built on lies.

I’m not sure I can ever trust him again.

DEIDRE SAYS: Finding out about a betrayal like this, especially years later, can knock the wind out of you and make you question everything you thought was true about your relationship.

It’s normal to experience a storm of emotions, from shock and anger to sadness and confusion.

In any relationship, trust is fragile, and once it’s broken, it can be hard to know how to rebuild it.

Talking openly with your husband about the past and your feelings is important, but only when you feel ready.

You will both need an understanding of why he cheated, what was missing from your relationship and what real changes you both need to make to strengthen your marriage.

Consider seeking support from a counsellor either alone or together. Organisations such as relate.org.uk (0300 100 1234) offer confidential advice.

My support pack, Cheating – Can You Get Over It?, will help you.

LOVING’S NOT SAME SINCE HIS CANCER TREATMENT

DEAR DEIDRE: WHEN my husband was finally declared cancer-free last year, I thought at last we’d have the chance to reconnect and rebuild our intimacy. But since his treatment ended, he’s struggled to get an erection.

I’m 54, he’s 56, and we’ve been together for 26 years.

His illness and treatment took a toll on us both, but I hoped once he was better, things would improve. Instead, his inability to become aroused has left him withdrawn and distant.

It’s been months, and I can tell it’s affecting his confidence. I want to be supportive, but sometimes I feel rejected and unsure how to help.

I love him deeply and just want us to find a way through this together, but I don’t know how to start that conversation without making him feel worse.

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s natural to feel confused and hurt when intimacy doesn’t return in the way you hoped.

However, erectile difficulties are common after cancer treatment and often affect both partners emotionally.

Open, gentle communication is key. Letting your husband know that you’re there for him without pressure can help him feel safe to share his feelings.

Encourage him to speak with his doctor about treatments or therapies that might help too.

I’m also sending you my support pack, Erection Problems?, to help.

DEVASTATED BY EX’S ABUSE LIES

DEAR DEIDRE: FALSE allegations of domestic violence have turned my life turned upside down

Even though the police found no evidence and dropped the case, the accusation alone has been enough to ruin my name and reputation.

I’m 38, my ex is 34, and for the four years we were together, it’s fair to say our relationship was toxic.

We argued constantly, and things ended very badly. But I never laid a finger on her.

After we split, she was bitter and angry, and while I tried to move on, she made sure I couldn’t – by making the worst accusation possible.

The police found no evidence to back up her claims, but the damage had already been done. Now everyone at work whispers behind my back, my friends have distanced themselves, and even some of my family seem unsure of what to believe.

I’ve lost my confidence and my reputation, and most days I feel like I’m barely holding it together.

How do I move forward when everyone behaves like I was guilty?

DEIDRE SAYS: Being falsely accused in this way is devastating, especially when it affects every part of your life.

It’s understandable that you feel isolated and overwhelmed. It’s important you hold on to the fact that the police decided there was no evidence to pursue her accusations.

Healing from this will take time, but surrounding yourself with people who believe in you will help. You may also benefit from speaking to a counsellor to process the trauma.

The False Allegations Support Organisation (false-allegations.org.uk, 03335 779 377) offers confidential support and practical advice to anyone affected by this, including those facing the allegations and their families and friends.

Try not to let this define you – the truth is on your side, even if it takes some time for others to see it.

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