2015年4月5日 星期日

The Easter parade: royals attend traditional service in Windsor

  • Queen arrived at St George's Chapel alongside the Duke of Edinburgh and was dressed in a bright blue coat and hat
  • Couple were joined by family members including Princess Beatrice, the Countess of Wessex and Autumn Phillips 
  • They were greeted by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Connor, who led the Easter Day service  
Yesterday the Countess of Wessex and Princess Beatrice were not exactly fly-away style winners with their feathered hats as they joined the Queen at Windsor for an Easter Sunday service.

Sophie, 50, wife of Prince Edward, wore a beret-style percher hat topped with large, dark plumes, while Beatrice, 26, the elder daughter of the Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson, opted for an unusual blue creation.

With them, and sporting a slightly more subtly coloured hat embellished with a large rose, was Autumn Phillips, 36, wife of the Queen’s grandson Peter Phillips.
Lady Louise Windsor, the countess’ 11-year-old daughter, made up the four royal ladies.


After arriving at the chapel, the royal couple were greeted by other members of the royal family including Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex 
After arriving at the chapel, the royal couple were greeted by other members of the royal family including Princess Beatrice and Sophie, Countess of Wessex 

The Queen and Prince Philip were joined by the rest of royal family as they attended a traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle today.

Today's church service marked a busy weekend for the Queen, who attended a Maundy Day service at Sheffield Cathedral on Thursday.


The female members of the royal family including Lady Louise Windsor, the Countess of Wessex, Autumn Phillips and Princess Beatrice, all walked together and chatted as they made their way to the chapel 


Although the Countess of Wessex, Autumn Phillips and Princess Beatrice attended the service, absent were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are expecting their second child later this month 
Resplendent in a turquoise coat by Stewart Parvin and matching hat, the monarch was all smiles as she arrived at Sheffield Cathedral for the traditional ceremony.
Joined by the Duke of Edinburgh, Her Majesty was there to present 'alms' to 89 women and 89 men.

Historically, this sum of £5.50 in the Red Purse is made up of £3 for clothing, £1.50 in lieu of provisions and £1 for the redemption of the Sovereign's gown.

Many of male members of the royal family followed behind as they walked to the chapel, including Prince Edward and his nephew Peter Phillips 
Many of male members of the royal family followed behind as they walked to the chapel, including Prince Edward and his nephew Peter Phillips 
Prince Andrew and Princess Anne, dressed in mint green, were followed on their way to church by Daniel Chatto, husband of Lady Sarah Armstrong- Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret 
Prince Andrew and Princess Anne, dressed in mint green, were followed on their way to church by Daniel Chatto, husband of Lady Sarah Armstrong- Jones, daughter of Princess Margaret 




Source: the Mail

The Spanish royal family attend a traditional Easter Mass , 2015

On the Balearic Island of Majorca, the Spanish royal family attend a traditional Easter Mass at the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca.

Before the service, Spanish King Felipe VI posed for pictures with his wife Queen Letizia, his mother Queen Sofia and his daughters Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia.

The Spanish royal family were also pictured attending Easter Mass at the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca. The family traditionally spend their Easter holidays on the Balearic Island 
The Spanish royal family were also pictured attending Easter Mass at the Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca. The family traditionally spend their Easter holidays on the Balearic Island 

BEAUTIFUL SNAPS OF FAMILY LIFE AT NO.10

In her interview Mrs Cameron also revealed that her taste in music includes US psychedelic band Polica, whose latest album Shulamith has on its cover a topless woman with her back turned and her hair and neck covered in blood. Mrs Cameron saw the band perform in London when they toured Britain.


The album is named after Canadian Marxist Shulamith Firestone, the author of The Dialectic Of Sex: The Case For A Feminist Revolution.

Mrs Cameron also told of her embarrassment at being told Nancy and Elwen were having a 'huge pillow and duvet fight' when the family stayed with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at her schloss near Berlin in 2013.

INTIMATE SNAPS OF FAMILY LIFE AT NO.10 

This picture - from a new set of photographs showing the Camerons at home in Downing Street - has a clear message: That while the Prime Minister has been holding down the most important job in Britain for the past five years, he’s also made time to learn the all-important art of tying up his daughter’s hair for school. Showing that being left-handed is no handicap, he holds four-year-old Florence’s hair with one hand while brushing with the other. Behind them, the dishwasher looks suspiciously empty in the midst of the morning chaos inevitable in the home of any family of five, but reaching down to it provides the Prime Minister’s wife with an opportunity to show off her enviable figure
A new set of photographs showing the Camerons at home in Downing Street - has a clear message: That while the Prime Minister has been holding down the most important job in Britain for the past five years, he’s also made time to learn the all-important art of tying up his daughter’s hair for school.

 Showing that being left-handed is no handicap, he holds four-year-old Florence’s hair with one hand while brushing with the other. Behind them, the dishwasher looks suspiciously empty in the midst of the morning chaos inevitable in the home of any family of five, but reaching down to it provides the Prime Minister’s wife with an opportunity to show off her enviable figure

While this battered ministerial red box may have carried some of the most important documents in British history, as it lies around in the Cameron household it becomes the perfect toy. In this previously unseen 2011 family photograph of Florence as a toddler, she fits perfectly into the box as it sits perched on the yellow sofa from the Fancy Nancy range at sofaworks.com (£1,579). Tucked behind it appears to be a label from one of daddy’s trips to Brussels. And behind Florence, standing on the chest of drawers, is a Ribbon Copper Large Table Lamp from Habitat (£160) and a rattan tissue box cover (£26) from Oka
While this battered ministerial red box may have carried some of the most important documents in British history, as it lies around in the Cameron household it becomes the perfect toy. 

In this previously unseen 2011 family photograph of Florence as a toddler, she fits perfectly into the box as it sits perched on the yellow sofa from the Fancy Nancy range at sofaworks.com (£1,579). 


Tucked behind it appears to be a label from one of daddy’s trips to Brussels. And behind Florence, standing on the chest of drawers, is a Ribbon Copper Large Table Lamp from Habitat (£160) and a rattan tissue box cover (£26) from Oka

Breakfast and the family enjoy porridge – the pot is on the table in front of Mrs Cameron, who wears a cashmere grey, red and white Chinti and Parker sweater (£295). A box of Weetabix Organic is also just visible. The black mug is from Whittard, while the green chairs are by Knoll Saarinen, and cost £816 each. On the white marble breakfast table (£750 from amodernworld.co.uk) is a plastic tub containing toothbrushes, hairbrushes and nail scissors. There’s also a wicker basket containing Boots dietary supplements

Breakfast and the family enjoy porridge – the pot is on the table in front of Mrs Cameron, who wears a cashmere grey, red and white Chinti and Parker sweater (£295). A box of Weetabix Organic is also just visible. 

The black mug is from Whittard, while the green chairs are by Knoll Saarinen, and cost £816 each. On the white marble breakfast table (£750 from amodernworld.co.uk) is a plastic tub containing toothbrushes, hairbrushes and nail scissors. There’s also a wicker basket containing Boots dietary supplements

 This is our house! The Camerons’ children Elwen and Nancy in a photograph taken five years ago
 This is our house! The Camerons’ children Elwen and Nancy in a photograph taken five years ago

Now in her home office, and this time wearing a more business-like blue spot sleeveless blouse by Joseph (£215), Mrs Cameron catches up on some work.The laptop is an Apple Macbook Pro, which costs from £899, and in the background you can just make out an arch lamp, similar to a £99 Arche from made.com
Now in her home office, and this time wearing a more business-like blue spot sleeveless blouse by Joseph (£215), Mrs Cameron catches up on some work.The laptop is an Apple Macbook Pro, which costs from £899, and in the background you can just make out an arch lamp, similar to a £99 Arche from made.com

Ivan (pictured) was born with Ohtahara Syndrome, a rare brain disorder which left him in a wheelchair, needing to be fed through a tube and suffering from cerebral palsy and severe epileptic fits. He died aged six in 2009
Ivan (pictured) was born with Ohtahara Syndrome, a rare brain disorder which left him in a wheelchair, needing to be fed through a tube and suffering from cerebral palsy and severe epileptic fits. He died aged six in 2009

In a tearful interview, Mrs Cameron spoke for the first time of the 'nightmare' of learning that their first child had a rare disorder which left him needing round-the-clock care.

Within a year, she said, looking after him had left the Camerons 'totally shattered' and trying to 'find a way through'.

Source: the Mail

Forget New York and London... the fastest-growing cities for multi-millionaires are Ho Chi Minh City and Houston


Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has seen 400 per cent growth as far as multi-millionaires calling the city home
















Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has seen 400 per cent growth as far as multi-millionaires calling the city home

When it comes to nationwide statistics, South America boasted multi-millionaire growth of 265 per cent over the 10 year period, while Australia saw an increase of 190 per cent.

Among the emerging markets, Russia, China and Indonesia all similarly performed well.

China is currently home to 26,600 multi-millionaires, with Germany trailing behind at 25,400 and the United States topping the list with a whopping 183,500.
But as far as the highest-ranking cities, Hong Kong comes out on top with 15,400 multi-millionaires calling it home.

New York City follows with 14,300 multi-millionaires and London and Moscow are not far behind.

WORLD'S TOP CITIES FOR MULTI-MILLIONAIRES:

1. Hong Kong - 15,400 multi-millionaire residents
2. New York City - 14,300 multi-millionaire residents
3. London - 9,700 multi-millionaire residents
4. Moscow - 7,600 multi-millionaire residents
5. Los Angeles - 7,400 multi-millionaire residents
6. Singapore - 6,600 multi-millionaire residents
7. Chicago - 6,000 multi-millionaire residents
8. San Francisco - 6,000 multi-millionaire residents
9. Zurich - 5,600 multi-millionaire residents
10. Mexico City - 5,600 multi-millionaire residents

A new 10-year study from New World Wealth found Hong Kong to be home to the most millionaires: 15,400
A new 10-year study from New World Wealth found Hong Kong to be home to the most millionaires: 15,400

The concrete jungle of New York City follows closely and is home to 14,300 multi-millionaires
The concrete jungle of New York City follows closely and is home to 14,300 multi-millionaires

But it's Houston, Texas, that takes the title of being the most noteworthy American citiy on the list.

The state capital has seen an increase of 1,420 multi-millionaires in the last 10 years, while Seattle is up 330.

San Jose, California, Dallas, Texas, and San Francisco, California, have all likewise seen a jump in multi-millionaires of 50 per cent or more over the past decade.

FASTEST GROWING CITIES FOR THE SUPER-RICH:

IN ASIA PACIFIC: Ho Chi Minh City - 400% growth (2004-2014)
IN USA: Houston, Texas - 63% growth (2004-2014)
IN CHINA: Fuzhou - 450% growth (2004-2014)
IN SOUTH AMERICA: Sao Paulo - 296% growth (2004-2014)

In the United States, Houston, Texas, is now home to 1,420 more multi-millionaires than it was a decade ago
In the United States, Houston, Texas, is now home to 1,420 more multi-millionaires than it was a decade ago

In India, the cities of Pune (pictured), Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad all saw spikes of 200% or more
In India, the cities of Pune (pictured), Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad all saw spikes of 200% or more

But it was Fuzhou in China with the most impressive multi-millionaire growth rate: a whopping 450%
But it was Fuzhou in China with the most impressive multi-millionaire growth rate: a whopping 450%

In the Asia Pacific region, Jakarta, Indonesia also performed well, going from being the home of 280 multi-millionaires in 2004 to the home of 1,390 in 2014.

Meanwhile, in India, the cities of Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi and Chennai all saw spikes of 200 per cent or higher.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, China saw the greatest increase overall when it came to the amount of multi-millionaires calling its cities home.

For the purposes of the study, New World Wealth separated China out from the rest of the Asia Pacific region, largely due to the fact that so many of the world's millionaires are concentrated there.

However, much like Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, there were eight different Chinese cities that saw multi-millionaire growth of over 400 per cent, with the southeasterly city of Fuzhou leading the pack.

Source: the Mail

The most powerful passports in the world revealed

  • Henley and Partners's Visa Restrictions Index calculates travel freedom
  • It is based on the number of countries citizens can visit visa-free
  • The best passports include those from Finland, USA, Germany and the UK
  • Lowest ranking countries include Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan   

  • Owning a passport opens up a world of possibility and freedom for travellers - or so you would think.
    In some countries around the world, even if you are lucky enough to have access to the government-issued documents, you are still restricted and barred from several countries. 
    Henley and Partners created a Visa Restrictions Index, which ranks countries globally in accordance to the travel freedom their inhabitants enjoy - with some surprising results. 
    Scroll down for video 
    The Visa Restrictions Index analyses countries ability to travel visa-free. The latest results were based on results from May 20, 2014
    The Visa Restrictions Index analyses countries ability to travel visa-free. The latest results were based on results from May 20, 2014

    TOP RATED COUNTRIES 

    1) Finland
    = Germany
    = Sweden
    = USA
    = United Kingdom (174 points)

    2) Canada
    = Denmark (173 points)

    3) Belgium
    = France
    = Italy
    = Japan 
    = Korea (Republic of South)
    = Luxembourg
    = Netherlands
    = Portugal
    = Spain (172 points)  
    ........................................................................

    Where it might be expected that countries such as North Korea and possibly Cuba could take the bottom spots for the most restricted travel freedom, they actually place at 86 and 69 respectively, from a ranking of a total of 94.

    Each country was given a score by global consulting firm Henley and Partners, who specialise in residence and citizenship planning.

    The score was calculated based on visa regulations of all countries and territories in the world, and the number of other countries that their citizens can travel to without having to obtain a visa. 

    Taking the lowest spots were Afghanistan (ranked at 94 and able to visit 28 countries visa-free), Iraq, (able to visit 31 countries), Pakistan and Somalia (able to visit 32 countries) and the Palestinian Territory (able to visit 35).

    This was juxtaposed by Finland, Germany, Sweden, the UK and the US, in first position, who are able to access 174 countries visa-free. 

    Henley and Partners said: 'In today's globalised world, visa restrictions play an important role in controlling the movement of foreign nationals across borders. 
    'Almost all countries now require visas from certain non-nationals who wish to enter their territory. 

    'Visa requirements are also an expression of the relationships between individual nations, and generally reflect the relations and status of a country within the international community of nations. '
    ..............................................................................

    BOTTOM 5 RATED COUNTRIES  

    89) Eritrea
    = Libya
    = Sudan
    = Syria (38 points)

    90) Nepal (37 points)

    91) Palestinian Territory (35 points)

    92) Pakistan
    = Somalia (32 points)

    93) Iraq (31 points)

    94) Afghanistan (28 points

    A UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) report stated that three-quarters of people in the world travelling to Europe need a visa

    According to the latest Visa Openness Report by the UNWTO, 62 per cent of the world’s population was required a traditional visa prior to departure in 2014, down from 77 per cent in 2008. 

    A total of 19 per cent of the world’s population was able to enter a destination without a visa, while 16 per cent could receive a visa on arrival (compared to 17 per cent and 6 per cent in 2008).   



    Source: the Mail

    'We two women stood firm in the Beatles family': Yoko Ono pays tribute to John Lennon's first wife Cynthia


    Yoko Ono has led the tributes to John Lennon's first wife Cynthia calling her a 'wonderful mother' with a 'strong zest for life' after she died at the age of 75 following a short battle with cancer.

    The second wife of the Beatles singer said she was 'very saddened' by the news, adding that she was 'proud' how she and Cynthia had 'stood firm in the Beatles family'.  

    Cynthia, who married Lennon after meeting him in college, died yesterday at her home in Spain. A message on her son Julian's website said he was at her beside throughout, and the family 'are thankful for your prayers'.

    Yoko Ono has led the tributes to John Lennon's first wife Cynthia, posting this photo of the two women with their sons Sean and Julian. She wrote underneath: 'When we were very happy together'
    Yoko Ono has led the tributes to John Lennon's first wife Cynthia, posting this photo of the two women with their sons Sean and Julian. She wrote underneath: 'When we were very happy together'


    This memorial website set up for her by her family carried an image of her surrounded by a love heart and a brief statement explaining she had died after a 'short but brave' battle with cancer
    This memorial website set up for her by her family carried an image of her surrounded by a love heart and a brief statement explaining she had died after a 'short but brave' battle with cancer

    In the statement, Yoko said: 'I'm very saddened by Cynthia's death. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian.

    'She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time.'  

    Yoko also posted a picture which had been taken in 2010 of the two women with their sons, Julian and Sean.

    She captioned the picture: 'When we were very happy together.'

    Cynthia Lennon, nee Powell, married Lennon in 1962 and stayed with him as he rose to global stardom with The Beatles until the couple divorced in 1968. 

    But the pair divorced in 1968 after Cynthia discovered her husband's relationship with the Japanese artist. 

    Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr added their condolences.

    Writing on his website, McCartney, 72, said: 'She was a lovely lady who I've known since our early days together in Liverpool. She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together.' 


    After years of trouble, the marriage finally ended in August 1968 when Yoko Ono discovered she was pregnant.

    Fearing a lengthy divorce process, the couple settled outside of court, with Lennon agreeing to pay Cynthia £100,000 and give her custody of Julian.

    The divorce prompted Paul McCartney to pen the Beatles' classic Hey Jude to help Julian cope with his parents' separation. He changed the name Julian to Jude in the song.

    The line 'take a sad song and make it better,' is about the Lennons' broken marriage and its impact on their son.

    Cynthia learned of Lennon's death on 8 December 1980, while she was staying with friends in London.

    She married Italian hotelier Roberto Bassanini in 1970, divorcing him in 1973. In 1976, she married John Twist, an engineer from Lancashire, but divorced him in 1983. 

    In an interview to publicise one of her books, 2005's John, she told Good Morning America: 'I have read so many books and seen so many films, and it's like we don't really exist. We are like walk-on parts in his life. We did spend 10 years together.'

    Recalling their early days, she said: 'You couldn't resist being around him. You couldn't resist watching what he was up to. I mean, he was a total rebel. Everybody was amazed by him.' 

    Author Hunter Davies, who wrote the only authorized Beatles biography in 1968, described Cynthia as a 'lovely woman'.

    He said that unlike John, she was 'quiet and reserved and calm' and 'not a hippy at all.'

    He said their friends at art school never thought the relationship would last because they were so different.

    In her book, Cynthia described being mistreated by John. Julian was their only child together.

    He said: 'When I was writing the book I spent two years with them, visiting her home and spending time with her.

    'I think it was the attraction of opposites between them. When they got together at art school everyone was amazed - she was seen as refined and reserved and nobody thought they would last.  

    DIVORCE PAPERS SHED LIGHT ON THE LENNON'S RELATIONSHIP

    A never-before-seen dossier detailing the bitter breakdown of John Lennon's marriage to his first wife Cynthia was uncovered in February after nearly 50 years.

    The five-page document, drafted by the solicitors dealing with the Beatle's divorce in 1968, reveals details of his increasing drug use and his affair with Yoko Ono.

    It centres on claims made by Dorothy Jarlett, Lennon's housekeeper of four years, on what she saw while working at the Lennon family home Kenwood in Weybridge, Surrey.

    The papers detail his mood swings, aggressive behaviour towards his young son Julian and heated arguments between him and Cynthia.

    Mrs Jarlett describes how Yoko Ono would visit the country pile while Cynthia was out of the country, and how she once found the pair in bed together.

    She reveals how Lennon became nonchalant towards his wife around 1967 - five years after they tied the knot - when the Beatles were at the height of their fame.

    She said Lennon was uninterested in playing the father figure role and that he would smack Julian if he misbehaved.

    The statement was made to Herbert Oppenheimer, Nathan and Vandyk - a firm of solicitors in London employed by Cynthia following the breakdown of the marriage.

    The document has never been seen before because Lennon and Cynthia settled out of court, with Lennon agreeing to pay her £100,000 and give her custody of Julian.

    Cynthia and her son Julian pictured together in 2006 at the opening of The Beatles' LOVE by Cirque du Soleil
    Cynthia and her son Julian pictured together in 2006 at the opening of The Beatles' LOVE by Cirque du Soleil

    Cynthia was often left to look after the couple's son Julian (pictured together in 2011) at home by herself as Lennon traversed the globe with The Beatles
    Cynthia was often left to look after the couple's son Julian (pictured together in 2011) at home by herself as Lennon traversed the globe with The Beatles

    The mother and son, who were extremely close, attend the unveiling of the John Lennon monument in 2010
    The mother and son, who were extremely close, attend the unveiling of the John Lennon monument in 2010

    Julian yesterday released a moving song written in tribute to his mother. The two remained close right up to her death
    Julian yesterday released a moving song written in tribute to his mother. The two remained close right up to her death

    Cynthia Lennon - In Loving Memory

    Yoko Ono has led the tributes to John Lennon's first wife Cynthia calling her a 'wonderful mother' with a 'strong zest for life' after she died at the age of 75 following a short battle with cancer.

    The second wife of the Beatles singer said she was 'very saddened' by the news, adding that she was 'proud' how she and Cynthia had 'stood firm in the Beatles family'.

    Cynthia, who married Lennon after meeting him in college, died yesterday at her home in Spain. A message on her son Julian's website said he was at her beside throughout, and the family 'are thankful for your prayers'. 

    The bad boy and the nice girl: Cynthia Lennon and John Lennon, who met at Liverpool Art College as teenagers, pictured in 1960
    The bad boy and the nice girl: Cynthia Lennon and John Lennon, who met at Liverpool Art College as teenagers, pictured in 1960

    At home with Julia in Surrey, 1965, before drugs began to have a destructive effect on the musician
    Domestic bliss: The couple on holiday in Dorset on one of their days out (left) and at home with Julian in Surrey in 1965 (right) before drugs began to have a destructive effect on the musician

    In the statement, Yoko said: 'I'm very saddened by Cynthia's death. She was a great person and a wonderful mother to Julian.

    'She had such a strong zest for life and I felt proud how we two women stood firm in the Beatles family. Please join me in sending love and support to Julian at this very sad time.'

    Yoko also posted a picture which had been taken in 2010 of the two women with their sons, Julian and Sean.

    She captioned the picture: 'When we were very happy together.'

    Cynthia Lennon, nee Powell, married Lennon in 1962 and stayed with him as he rose to global stardom with The Beatles until the couple divorced in 1968.

    But the pair divorced in 1968 after Cynthia discovered her husband's relationship with the Japanese artist.

    Former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr added their condolences.

    Writing on his website, McCartney, 72, said: 'She was a lovely lady who I've known since our early days together in Liverpool. She was a good mother to Julian and will be missed by us all, but I will always have great memories of our times together.'
    Starr, 74, tweeted: 'Peace and love to Julian Lennon God bless Cynthia love Ringo and Barbara xx.'

    Julian also tweeted a picture of his mother, who was 75, inside a heart with the message 'In Loving Memory'.


    He also posted a moving video tribute to his late mother with a song he had written in her honor.

    'You gave your life for me, you gave your life for love,' it begins, showing footage of him as a young boy with his parents. It also shows footage of Cynthia with John during the early days of Beatlemania.

    'The love you left behind will carry on,' Julian sings in a style influenced by his late father. It concludes with the words: 'I know you're safe above.'

    Cynthia met Lennon at art school in Liverpool in 1957 and the couple married just before Beatlemania transformed her husband from a jobbing musician into one of the most famous men in the world. 

    Man about town: John Lennon and Cynthia with Paul McCartney and his then girlfriend Jane Asher in 1968 
    Man about town: John Lennon and Cynthia with Paul McCartney and his then girlfriend Jane Asher in 1968 

    At the height of the Beatles' early success, she was kept so far in the background that many of Lennon's female fans were not even aware of her existence, and she stayed at home bringing up Julian while the Fab Four toured the world and topped the charts.


    Cynthia Lennon grew up in a middle-class community on the Wirral, met John Lennon while they were both students at the Liverpool College of Art.
    The pair married in 1962, when Cynthia was just 22, after she became pregnant with their son Julian.

    Beatles' members George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and The Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein - who was best man - all attended.

    The Lennons bought Kenwood, then a 22-bedroom home, in Weybridge, Surrey, for £20,000 in 1964.

    Kenwood became the place to visit for the other Beatles, various American musicians and total strangers that Lennon had met the previous night in London nightclubs. 

    Cynthia with Lennon and fellow Beatle George Harrison at a film premiere in 1965. The couple's divorce was swift and acrimonious 
    Cynthia with Lennon and fellow Beatle George Harrison at a film premiere in 1965. The couple's divorce was swift and acrimonious 

    While she had suspicions of Lennon's infidelity over the years, with friends telling her that Lennon had had numerous affairs as far back as their time together at art college in Liverpool, Cynthia ignored the warnings.

    The Lennons' marriage troubles came to a head in February 1968 when Lennon drunkenly confessed to sleeping with other women during their marriage.

    Lennon suggested Cynthia take a holiday with friends. She returned to find her husband sitting across from Yoko Ono on the floor - staring into each other's eyes.
    In one of her book's she wrote that she then found Yoko's slippers outside their bedroom door - shocked and upset she left the house to stay with friends.

    After years of trouble, the marriage finally ended in August 1968 when Yoko Ono discovered she was pregnant.

    Fearing a lengthy divorce process, the couple settled outside of court, with Lennon agreeing to pay Cynthia £100,000 and give her custody of Julian. 

    Palatial home: The Surrey home where the family lived in the Sixties. But beneath the exterior of the lavish home, there was trouble - John had affairs, usually with clever, upmarket women, while Cynthia patiently tried to keep the peace
    Palatial home: The Surrey home where the family lived in the Sixties. But beneath the exterior of the lavish home, there was trouble - John had affairs, usually with clever, upmarket women, while Cynthia patiently tried to keep the peace

    The divorce prompted Paul McCartney to pen the Beatles' classic Hey Jude to help Julian cope with his parents' separation. He changed the name Julian to Jude in the song.

    The line 'take a sad song and make it better,' is about the Lennons' broken marriage and its impact on their son.

    Cynthia learned of Lennon's death on 8 December 1980, while she was staying with friends in London.

    She married Italian hotelier Roberto Bassanini in 1970, divorcing him in 1973. In 1976, she married John Twist, an engineer from Lancashire, but divorced him in 1983.

    Source: the Mail