A hush descends over the table. A small group of wine enthusiasts watch with due reverence as the cork is gently pulled from the 1968 bottle of French first growth Chateau Haut Brion.

Its intricacy, expense and craftsmanship once made it a must-have for England’s elite. Denise L’Estrange-Corbet traces the history of Honiton lace, a famous feature of royal births and weddings.

Sharon Armstrong, former Maori Language Commission deputy chief executive, has been detained in Buenos Aires.

Susan Boyle has been immortalised in wax by Madame Tussauds.

Lily Allen will throw a lavish bash at The Ritz hotel in London for her hen party.

A German-Jewish man's lost hoard of gold, which lay buried in a London garden for 70 years, has been returned to his family.

What if your daughter squanders her considerable intelligence on meaningless jobs and other fripperies, waiting for her prince to come?

Rugby legend Zinzan Brooke will be helping to make the big day run smoothly for a couple who share their wedding day with William and Kate.

Paul Henry hasn't got time to think of the royal wedding. He's heading back to America on the day of the nuptials and until then he's flat tack getting his memoirs to the publisher.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has ridiculed the royal family and its traditions on British television, insisting Prince William and Kate Middleton "aren't special people".

Kiwi Trooper Blair Newton will escort Prince William and Kate Middleton back to Buckingham Palace after their wedding.

You can bet that one would shop at Selfridges for one's wedding attire if one happens to be attending Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials.

Parents who stumble over their words need not worry - it may even help their children learn to talk.

Did some of the world's biggest banks collude to manipulate interest rates during the depths of the credit crisis?

Britain's Glastonbury Festival on Thursday revealed the full line-up for the world's largest greenfield music and performing arts jamboree, which U2, Coldplay and Beyonce will headline.

With only days to go, Royal wedding fever is in full swing. Even Prime Minister John Key is talking frocks, rocks and locks. He rang me yesterday to reveal what he will be wearing on Kate and Wills' big day.

Viva celebrates the life and work of Britain's most imaginative - and imitated - designer, Vivienne Westwood.

Christopher Hirst wonders whether the UK's obsession with fiery food has gone too far.

Two Kiwis are among a small group of musicians who will play their trumpets as Prince William and Kate...