Mini Cryptic Crossword

Across

1. Sacked and set alight (5)

4. Lowest in importance when slate is mined (5)

6. Place to sleep out of boredom (7)

9. The Latin language (6)

10. Agrees about fatty matter (6)

12. Footwear to see off, we hear (4)

15. Large quantity heard at church (4)

17. Apostle one depicted (6)

19. Sheltered and dashed about (6)

20. Point me towards spice (7)

22. Requested a desk change (5)

23. Upright tree felled round about the first century (5)

Down

1. Superman stories? (6)

2. Ruin one type of celebration (7)

3. Budge up to remove faults (5)

4. Boy seen in a glade (3)

5. Gains points and notches (6)

7. Keen man, it’s said (7)

8. Wander about in Italy, we hear (4)

11. Fish in rased surroundings? (7)

13. Customs put on by sisters (6)

14. Sharp side found in hedges (4)

16. He enjoys inflicting pain; it’s sad in a way (6)

18. Complete excavation, we hear (5)

21. Fellow goes back to give silent assent (3)

Telephone:

The right fragrance can lift your mood, boost your confidence and (pardon the pun) really put a spring in your step. Now that we’re heading into spring, you might prefer a lighter, fresher fragrance than the one you wore over winter. It’s worth considering some of the newer fragrance houses. Shay & Blue, for example, offer a wide range of genderneutral, modern fragrances at affordable prices. Their Tallulahs Camellia is a particular highlight. It’s floral without being overly sweet, with notes of bluebell, gardenia, lily and white tea. £55 for 100ml is great value, and the subscriber offers are also worth checking out.

Perfumes can be expensive, but even the priciest ones usually work out at just a few pence per spray. Still, you’ll want to choose wisely. When you’re trying perfumes on in a shop, spray them onto cardboard tester strips first. Consider how each scent makes you feel. Keep hold of the strips and smell them again in an hour. Fragrance is made up of top, middle and base notes. The top notes are lighter and evaporate quite quickly, so the scent changes subtly over time. Which fragrance do you like best? Head back to the counter and spray it onto your skin. Again, check whether you still like it after an hour. If you do, you’re onto a winner.

On a tight budget? It’s worth checking discount stores like TK Maxx, www.perfumedirect.com and www.thefragranceshop.co.uk. We found Calvin Klein’s Euphoria reduced to £24.99 for 30ml (RRP £42) at Perfume Direct, and Gucci’s Guilty reduced from £57 to £34.20 for 50ml at The Fragrance Shop.

It’s also worth considering dupes. While they won’t smell exactly the same as the original, they’re often a pretty close match, at a fraction of the price. Lidl’s Suddenly Madame Glamour, for example, is very similar to Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle, but costs under £5. And many of Primark’s fragrances are remarkably similar to those of top brands.

If you have your heart set on a particular designer fragrance, you can save money by buying the eau de toilette version rather than the eau de parfum. However, as there’s a lower concentration of fragrance in an eau de toilette, it wears off much quicker, so you’ll need to spray it more often.

Easily bored? Consider buying a discovery set rather than one full-sized bottle. The Floral Street Discovery Set, for example, gets you eight miniatures for £16. You won’t get many sprays from each 1.5ml bottle, but if you don’t wear perfume every day, it’s a fun way to mix things up. Shay & Blue also offer discovery sets, and they’re often on offer.

No idea where to start? Some fragrance brands offer online quizzes or free virtual or in-person consultations. Search online or just ask in-store.

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As Catherine Elizabeth Middleton – AKA the Princess of Wales, Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay and one day likely Queen Consort – turns 41 on 9th January, we look at how she has evolved.

Kate Middleton became known as the girl who was dating the nation’s most eligible bachelor: her future husband and future king, Prince William. They met as students in 2001 during their first year at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and went on to graduate in 2005.

Styling a future

Noticeable changes in Kate’s appearance started taking place, presumably in order to fit in with the royal family. Her clothing almost began to reflect what people saw in her character. It was Kate starting to behave in ways that would be seen as more appropriate for a future Queen. William proposed to Kate in October 2010 while the couple holidayed in Kenya.

Following in Diana’s footsteps

Fast forward to 2022. In his first speech as King Charles III last September, Charles confirmed he was handing his previous title of Prince of Wales to Prince William, making Kate the new Princess of Wales.

Like the late Princess of Wales before her, Kate too has clearly won the hearts of the nation with her natural human approach. She is also following in Diana’s fashion-forward footsteps. While with her own unique sense of style, she also appears to take outfit inspiration from her mother-in-law. From her formal outfits for official engagements to glamorous evening wear, Kate often pays more than a passing nod to the woman she succeeded as a royal fashion icon.

Family first

Back in 2011, the newlyweds decided to postpone their honeymoon so that Prince William could return to his duties with the Search and Rescue Squadron at RAF Anglesey Valley. Now titled the Prince and Princess of

Wales, the country has a special place in the couple’s hearts – rooted in their first home where they lived when Prince George was born and reflected in their decision to take George and Charlotte to Cardiff during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Like other working parents, Kate has admitted to suffering mum guilt, saying: “I’m such a handson mum and whatever you’re doing you want to make sure you’re doing the utmost best job you can for your children.”

Recalling her own childhood, she added: “I had a very happy childhood. I think the things that really resonate with me most are the simple things and I see that now with my own children. Life is so busy, so distracting and sometimes the simple things like watching a fire on a really rainy day provides such enjoyment. I remember that from my childhood – doing simple things, going for a walk together – and that’s what I try and do with my children because it strips away all the complications, all the pressures as a parent.”