The Queen, 2007. Image: NASA/Bill Ingalls

The Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond, has defended the Queen over comments made on camera yesterday, in which the monarch described Chinese officials as ‘very rude’ during a state visit last year.

Meanwhile Daily Mail columnist Harry Mount has pointed blame at the media team.

The gaffe follows comments by David Cameron recorded ahead of an anti-corruption summit this week in which he referred to Afghanistan and Nigeria as ‘fantastically corrupt.’

Speaking to Sky News the Nigerian  president,  Muhammadu Buhari has admitted his country is corrupt and is not expecting an apology.

Yellow weather warning

Yellow weather warning. Image: radlemadle

Celebrations for the Queen’s 90th birthday are being disrupted due to a yellow weather warning.

Yellow means be aware. Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you. Yellow means that you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities.

-The Met Office

The Met Office is asking the public to be aware of heavy showers, localised surface water flooding and difficult driving conditions.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show has been cancelled today due to the weather, where 10,000 people were expected to attend including the Queen.

Automatic refunds have been given due to the cancellation.

West Ham

West ham beat Manchester United in thrilling fashion last night, as the Hammers said goodbye to the Boleyn ground.

Defender Winston Reid scored an 80th minute winner for West Ham, which sees them climb to sixth place in the Premier League, still in with a chance of European qualification.

Their manager, Slavan Bilic, says the match was like ‘a movie script’.

Women’s Cricket

Charlotte Edwards, captain of the England Women’s Cricket team, has announced her retirement from the sport.

Her captaincy has lasted 10 years, in which time the team has won the Ashes four times.

However Mark Robinson, the new head coach, openly criticised the team after Edward’s last outing as captain in the World Twenty20 in India.  England lost in a five run defeat to Australia.

In her leaving statement Edwards has said:

I believe now is the right time fior a new captain to lead the team forward and for young players to be given more opportunities to make their mark on the international game.

After honest and open discussions with Mark, it became clear that he wants to build a new team and I fully support that. I would have loved to have carried on and whilst I am disappointed  that I won’t be doing so, I full understand and respect what Mark is looking to do.

– England women’s cricket captain Charlotte Edwards announcing her retirement.