Emperor Akihito of Japan flew out of Britain yesterday after his controversial state visit. The Emperor, a keen naturalist and conservationist, enjoyed a peaceful final day in Britain yesterday visiting a farm in Oxfordshire. His private outing was in contrast with the protests that dogged his official engagements.
Jeering former prisoners-of-war had repeatedly demanded a full apology for their treatment during the second World War. However, the emperor's official spokesman insisted yesterday that the visit had been a success.
A beautiful country estate, popularised by the TV version of Pride and Prejudice, is to mark its 600th anniversary with a weekend of celebratory events on June 12th to 14th. Lyme Park, Cheshire, was used as Mr Darcy's estate, `Pemberley'. Visitor numbers have soared, with many tourists wanting to see where Darcy (played by Colin Firth) dived into a lake.
Superman star Christopher Reeve, paralysed from the neck down in a fall from a horse, vowed yesterday he would be walking within five years. "It is a challenge to the scientists, the way that President Ken nedy challenged scientists to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s," he told the BBC's Sir David Frost.
Egyptian millionaire Dodi Al Fayed was going to propose to Princess Diana on the night they were killed in a Paris crash, his butler said yesterday. Rene Delorm said in his autobiography, serialised in the Sunday Mirror, that Dodi showed him the diamond engagement ring he was going to offer the princess. "Yes. Tonight will top everything," Dodi was quoted as telling him. "So make sure you have the champagne ready. We'll be back around midnight."