Tate Modern overtakes British Museum as top UK visitor attraction

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionTate Modern's hit shows in 2018 included a major Picasso exhibition

The British Museum has lost its crown as the UK's most popular visitor attraction for the first time in a decade, overtaken by Tate Modern.

Almost 5.9 million people visited the Tate Modern art gallery last year, new figures show - just above the 5.8 million who went to the British Museum.

Elsewhere, an exhibition of Terracotta Warriors helped visitor numbers to Liverpool's World Museum jump by 111%.

Image copyrightGARETH JONES

Image captionTerracotta Warriors at Liverpool's World Museum

That made it the most-visited English museum outside London in 2018.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva), the World Museum was visited by 1.4 million people in 2018 - 610,000 of whom saw the ancient Chinese statues.

It was 23rd on the overall national list, above Tate Britain and London Zoo.

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Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery also saw a big rise, thanks partly to the visit by "Dippy" the Diplodocus.

The replica dinosaur skeleton was in Birmingham for five months as part of its three-year tour from the Natural History Museum. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery welcomed 832,000 people in 2018 - up 38% on the previous year.

The new branch of the V&A in Dundee received 341,265 visits between its opening in September and the end of the year.

Tate Modern, which staged blockbuster exhibitions by Picasso and Modigliani last year, is top of the overall list for the first time since it opened in 2000.

Despite the overall rise in visitor numbers, some outdoor attractions had a dip - mostly blamed on the extreme cold spell early in the year.

The country's second most popular garden, RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey saw its visitor numbers drop by more than 70,000.

The Eden Project in Cornwall; ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Bedfordshire; Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire; and Chatsworth House, Derbyshire also all saw a drop in visits.

"I wish tourism was slightly more sophisticated, but the weather has always been a determining factor on where people go," said Alva director Bernard Donoghue.

Alva also said the World Cup period had also led to a fall in visitors to some attractions.

RAF centenary: Thousands watch flypast

Thousands of people have gathered outside Buckingham Palace to watch a flypast of aircraft to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force.

Up to 100 planes representing the RAF over the years flew over The Mall following a parade by personnel.

The Queen and other members of the Royal Family saw the display - which included the new F-35 fighter and Spitfires - from the palace balcony.

Earlier they marked the centenary at a special service in Westminster Abbey.

The service began what the head of the RAF said would be a "tremendous" day of events to mark its 100 years.

Three F-35 Lightning stealth fighters were involved in the flypast - the first time the aircraft has been seen by the public.

And 22 Typhoons spelt out 100 as they flew over the palace.

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Nine helicopters led the armada, while the Red Arrows brought up the rear.

The aircraft assembled in holding patterns off the coast of East Anglia before merging near Ipswich and flying down the A12 corridor to London.

Image copyrightCPL TIM LAURENCE RAF,MOD,EPA

Image captionThree of the RAF's new F-35 Lightning fighters flew over the capital

Image captionThe Red Arrows brought the flypast to a close

Image captionThousands of people gathered on The Mall

Image captionSeven of the nine Tornados in the flypast - the aircraft is due to be retired from the RAF in 2019

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThe spectacle in the sky was met with applause from the crowds

According to the Met Police, an estimated 65,000 to 70,000 people gathered on The Mall to watch the parade and flypast, with roads in central London being closed until 17:00 BST.

Surrounded by other members of the Royal Family, the Queen presented a new Queen's Colour to the RAF in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace before moving to the balcony.

In a brief speech, she congratulated the RAF for a "remarkable contribution to defence" over the last 100 years, saying "tenacity, skill and gallantry" had been its hallmarks.

She added: "I remember the Battle of Britain being fought over the skies above us and we shall never forget the courage and sacrifice of that time."

Image copyrightPA

Image captionThe Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived together for the service earlier in the day

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThe Queen called today "a very special day" and said the RAF's "courage and sacrifice" will never be forgotten

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThe number "100" was spelt out in the sky by 22 Typhoon jets in their biggest ever formation

The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to create the RAF on 1 April 1918 - the world's first independent air force.

In his address at Westminster Abbey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, said the RAF had played a "decisive factor in saving this country's independence, its democracy and its freedom; its hope of civilisation and its contribution to humanity for the future".

He added: "It is also right to remember with sorrow and again profound thanksgiving the scores of thousands who have given their lives in service as part of the RAF."

Wreaths laid

The Queen, who did not attend Prince Louis' christening on Monday, attended the service along with the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke of York, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Retired and serving members of the RAF were also there, along with the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, and politicians including Prime Minister Theresa May, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Princes William wore the No 1 uniform of the Royal Air Force, and his RAF wings, in recognition that he is a qualified RAF pilot.

The Duke of Sussex's uniform carried RAF Regiment shoulder flashes in recognition of the home of the RAF, Honington, and his role as Honorary Air Commandant of the base.

Media captionWing Commander Paul Farnes describes what it was like to fly in the Battle of Britain

Image captionA new Queen's Colour was presented to the RAF in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThe Duchess of Cambridge is still on maternity leave but felt it was important to attend the celebrations

Image captionThe Royal Family watched the flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace

Image copyrightEPA

Image captionThe RAF was formed out of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service, which merged in 1918

Image captionThe prime minister gave a reading at the service

Image copyrightCPL SCOTT ROBERTSON, MOD, EPA

Image captionWreaths were laid at the RAF Memorial

Image captionMore than 2,200 people crowded into Westminster Abbey for the service

Image captionPrime Minister Theresa May, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also attended

Royal Wedding 2018: Harry and Meghan release official photos

Image copyrightTHE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX / ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

Image captionThe bride had 10 bridesmaids and pageboys including Princess Charlotte and Prince George

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released three official photographs taken on their wedding day.

The pictures, taken by Alexi Lubomirski, include a group photograph with bridesmaids and close family, including their parents and the Queen.

The couple would like to thank everyone who took part in the celebrations on Saturday, Kensington Palace said.

"Their Royal Highnesses are delighted with these official portraits," a statement added.

Image copyrightTHE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX / ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

Mr Lubomirski, who also took the couple's official engagement pictures, said it had been an "incredible honour" to document the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's "inspiring journey of love".

"This has been a beautiful chapter in my career and life, that I will happily never forget," he said.

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Thousands of well-wishers gathered in Windsor as Prince Harry wed Meghan in St George's Chapel on Saturday afternoon.

More than 110,000 people filled the town's streets with about 67,000 train trips made in and out of Windsor's two stations on Saturday, according to the council.

Meanwhile, an average of 11 million viewers watched on BBC or ITV at any one time.

Image copyrightTHE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX / ALEXI LUBOMIRSKI

Image captionMeghan's mother Doria Ragland was the only member of her family to attend the wedding

Mr Lubomirski is normally found shooting for fashion magazines like Vogue and Harpers Bazaar and can count celebrities including Beyoncé, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Scarlett Johansson among his subjects.

According to his website, in 2014 he published a book called 'Princely advice for a happy life', written for his sons, about behaving like a 21st Century prince.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionAlexi Lubomirski (right) and his wife Giada were among the guests at the ceremony on Saturday

Meghan's pure white, boat neck gown was designed by British designer Clare Waight Keller, the first female artistic director of French fashion house Givenchy.

A five metre-long white silk veil - which covered her face as she entered the chapel - included embroidered floral detail representing all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

This was kept in place by Queen Mary's diamond encrusted bandeau tiara, loaned to her by the Queen.

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As a member of the royal family, Meghan now has an official profile on the Royal Family website, which details her work for a number of charitable causes.

"I am proud to be a woman and a feminist," the Duchess of Sussex, said on the site.

All pictures subject to copyright - Source BBC News - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44201476