See the best-dressed celebrities in March 2026, including Kristen Bell’s look for the SAG Actor Awards and Caitriona Balfe’s romantic red gown.

Princess Kate’s polka-dot dresses by Alessandra Rich are widely regarded as her most iconic fashion choices. Princess Sophie of Prussia wore a similar dress by the designer at the reopening of the Hohenzollern Crypt at Berlin Cathedral.

Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more

It often feels like there’s a new expensive hair tool launching every week; we can barely keep up. However, given there are so many to choose from, finding the right one for you can be a bit of a headache, which is where we come in.

Our shopping experts have tried and tested thousands of products, from speedy hairdryers to scalp serums, so when the new Shark SilkiPro Straight landed on our desk, we knew we had to put it to the test. 

Costing £249.99, the new tool is a wet-to-dry air straightener, designed to smooth and straighten strands as you dry them, with less heat damage, interchangeable combs for extra control and shine, and even a built-in hairdrying feature.

While it officially launches on March 4, we’ve been testing it in advance so we can tell exactly what we think.  

Shark SilkiPro Straight

Shark’s newest hair tool is multi-purpose; it dries, straightens, smooths and even curls.

Buy Now for £249.99

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Metro’s shopping contributor Louise Whitbread, have spent the last few weeks getting to grips with Shark’s new tool, to unpack whether it’s worth a spot in your routine. 

Here’s their verdict…

Louise Whitbread, Metro shopping contributor:

‘I use a lot of heat on my hair. It’s fine, thina nd naturally straight so when I’m attempting to curl it, I typically turn it up to the hottest setting and hope for the best. My hair doesn’t appreciate this, as you can imagine, and I have more heat damage than I should, especially as a beauty journalist. 

Any tool that promises to minimise heat damage gets my attention, and Shark’s multi-purpose tool seems right up my street.

It comes in a sleek, heatproof case that’s compact and perfect for travel, along with a number of features you need to know about. Firstly, if you lock the plates together with the click of a button, you can give yourself a sleek blow-dry without needing an entirely separate tool. 

There’s a narrow groove alongside one of the plates, which is for slotting in one of the three interchangeable combs it comes with, so when you’re blow-drying, it smooths strands as you pull through the hair. For hair that’s prone to severe knotting (especially when wet), it’s a thoughtful design specification that I have a lot of time for. 

If you love a silky-soft blow-dry, you’ll love the mix of combs that add shine and allow you to adapt your blow-dry to your hair type. For example, the wide-tooth comb can be used to rough-dry roots and give my flat hair a bit of volume, the gentle comb provides a straight style that still has movement, and the precision comb is for an ultra-sleek finish. 

While the tool itself is a little heavy, it’s much cheaper than alternative multi-purpose tools (cough, cough Dyson) and the convenience of one tool that does it all is so helpful if you’re both short on time and a bit lazy with your hair like me.

The only downside for me is it’s a big clunky if you’re trying to curl strands – I’ve also found it hard to curl my hair with straighteners, so this for me, is much better suited to straight hairstyles.’

And there you have it. We’re sold, but are you?

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Former royal gardener Jack Stooks spent over 20 years working for King Charles and now he’s revealed this surprising insider insight on This Morning

Forget the golden threshold of eight hours of sleep, you only really need seven hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds.

If you sleep for this precise length of time, you are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which 6.3 million Brits are currently at risk for in the UK.

Diabetes already affects 5.8 million people in the UK, of which 90% are living with type 2, and 1.3 million are thought to be living with it but are yet to be diagnosed.

Adjusting your sleep schedule to fit in exactly 7.32 hours of sleep, which equates to the aforementioned time, has been found to ward off insulin resistance which causes the disease.

The new study published in the British Medical Journal of Open Diabetes Research and Care studied data on 23,475 Americans and tracked their sleep and their estimated glucose disposal rate (eDGR), which points to your level of insulin resistance.

This is because when the insulin in our body isn’t at a high enough level, it causes the level of glucose (sugar) in our blood to become too high, resulting in diabetes.

To calculate someone’s eDGR, you must take a person’s blood sugar levels after fasting, their waist circumference and their blood pressure.

The study’s findings showed that any less sleep than the seven hours and 19 minutes, or any more sleep, both impacted your insulin resistance.

Say goodbye to weekend lie-ins

Sadly, the researchers also found that catching up on sleep at the weekend wasn’t good for everyone.

While 48% of those studied did lie-in on Saturdays or Sundays, this extra sleep only benefitted a select few.

For those sleeping less than the optimal 7.32 hours during the week, one to two hours of extra sleep at the weekend was good for them, giving them a higher eGDR.

This means they were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes because they didn’t have excess sugar in their blood.

Sadly though, for those who had the 7.32 hours they need on weekdays, if they then had an extra two hours or more of sleep on the weekends they had a lower eGDR – meaning they were at greater risk for insulin resistance and therefore diabetes.

The scientists wrote: ‘[Extra sleep is] beneficial only in moderation and specifically for those with weekday sleep debt, whereas it may be detrimental for those who already sleep sufficiently.’

However, if you’re trying to cut your chances of a heart attack or a stroke, a 2024 study found that people who got the most extra sleep at the weekends reduced their risk by 19%.

Researchers concluded catching up on sleep at the weekends is linked to lower rates of heart disease, especially among those who are sleep deprived.

So really, having that extra hour of sleep at the weekend isn’t all that bad.

The 3-2-1 rule that could give you a better night’s sleep

Wellness expert Nicola Elliott, who has worked in the wellbeing industry for nearly 20 years, has developed a 3-2-1 rule which she claims will improve your sleep.

This could help you get that golden seven hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds you really need.

Despite being a simple and straightforward routine, it might take a little getting used to at first.

Essentially, it starts three hours before you go to bed, stipulating a different thing to avoid beyond each time frame.

First off, three hours before bed, you discontinue all food and drink consumption for the day. Alcohol is included in this rule, but water or non-stimulating herbal teas are allowed.

Then, two hours before bed is when you stop doing any work or strenuous exercise.

Finally, an hour before you go to bed, you switch off the screens (yes, that means putting your phone away) and also dim the lights in the room.

These steps mean that our blood sugar will stabilise before bed, we don’t have endorphins from exercise which increase our brain activity, and light from screens doesn’t signal to our bodies we should be awake.

Voila! A solid recipe for a better night’s sleep.

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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

The former Prince Andrew now lives in Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, but until recently, he leased a separate property owned by the Crown Estate

Next has a new collection of spring doormats – from floral to easter designs, girly bows and colourful doormats.

According to recent NHS figures, 16 million GP appointments were missed in 2025, with 4.3% of these counted as no-shows.

That’s equivalent to an entire day of missed appointments at every GP practice in England each month — the financial cost of which would presumably be eye-watering if calculated.

In a nationwide survey, the health service revealed almost one in four people have missed a medical appointment because they forgot or arrived too late.

This is despite the fact 8.4 million, or 2.3% more GP appointments were arranged last year, taking the total to 376 million.

So, struggling with stretched budgets, funding cuts and increasing wait times for patients, the NHS has launched a new campaign to combat this easily-avoidable issue.

As part of ‘Tap the NHS App’, Brits are being urged to turn on notifications, with adverts appearing on pharmacy bags, radio channels and social media.

Not only does this app remind users of appointments, it allows them to cancel or rearrange those they can’t make, and request repeat prescriptions.

Last year, an ‘Amazon-style’ prescription feature was rolled out in collaboration with 2,000 pharmacies across England, which shows the progress of the order and when it’s ready to be collected.

Dr Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation Minister, commented: ‘In the busy lives we all lead, it can be easy to forget an NHS appointment or need to reorganise it at the last minute.

‘That’s why I’d encourage everyone to tap the NHS App and turn on notifications – so you can stay on top of your appointments and let us know if you need to reschedule. When you do, someone else can be seen instead, helping us continue to cut waiting times.’

‘It’s fantastic to see that GPs provided more than 8 million extra appointments for their patients in 2025, and I hope this new campaign will help increase that number even more in 2026,’ added Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England.

‘I’d encourage all NHS App users to make the most of what the app has to offer so they never forget an appointment.’

Latest ONS figures show that people typically now prefer to contact their GP online when they have a health problem.

More than three quarters (75.2%) of adults found it easy to contact their GP practice, up from 71.6% a year ago, with more than 40 million users now registered with the NHS App.

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Spring is well and truly on the way, and if the change in seasons has you wanting to give your home a spring refresh then you’ve come to the right place.

This week’s Metro Deals column is all about sprucing up your spaces with appliances, homeware and soft furnishings to make it really feel like home – all without breaking the bank.

From bedding sets and mattresses to air fryers and even Le Creuset mugs, we’ve found the top deals to shop if refreshing your home for less is a priority, with unmissable savings of up to 82% to be taken advantage of.

One offer we’ve got our eye on is the 8L Dual Basket Air Fryer – a Wowcher top-selling product that’ll only set you back £30.99.

Boasting dual 4L baskets that let you cook two dishes at once, smart touch controls with eight pre-set programmes and sync-finish settings, it’ll make cooking up a storm quicker, easier and more affordable than ever.

After a designer deal for less? You can snap up six Le Creuset stoneware mugs for just £49 – bringing the price of each to just £8.16 when they would usually cost £17 direct from the brand.

Ready to give your home a spring refresh? Explore our top picks below, with prices starting at just £12.99.

Metro x Wowcher – This Week’s Top Deals

Luxury Seersucker Duvet Cover Set – Double

Upgrade your bedding for less with this luxe-looking Luxury Seersucker Duvet Cover Set, coming in at just £13.99 for a Double.

This Double set features a duvet cover with two pillow cases, available in 13 colours to suit your spaces.

shop £13.99

Le Creuset Vibrant Stoneware Rainbow Mugs – Set of 6 350ml

Refresh your cupboards with these six authentic Le Creuset mugs in an array of eye-catching colours.

Crafted from tough, chip-resistant enameled stoneware that keeps drinks hotter for longer, these stunning mugs will quickly become favourites in your collection, and come to just £8.16 each.

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8L Dual Basket Air Fryer with Touch Screen & Programs

Been looking to buy an air fryer but have been waiting for a super affordable model? This one costs just £30.99, and could totally transform the way you prepare your meals.

Boasting dual 4L baskets that enable you to cook two dishes at once, smart touch controls with eight pre-set programmes and sync-finish settings, it'll make cooking up a storm quicker, easier and more affordable than ever.

shop £30.99

Luxury Cotton & Down Blend Quilted Pillow

Treat yourself to better sleep with this ultra-affordable Luxury Cotton & Down Blend Quilted Pillow, a steal at just £12.99.

Available in six colour choices to suit your room, this firm yet cosy pillows offers ample support to reduce neck and back strain on all sleeping positions, while the durable, cool-touch cover add freshness that looks as good as it feels.

shop £12.99

Steel Lush Metal Nightstand Locker with Adjustable Shelf

Bring a designer look to your bedroom with this Steel Lush Metal Nightstand Locker with Adjustable Shelf – sure to add a pop of colour to any space.

The sturdy locker is available in four chic colours, boasting an adjustable shelf as well as lock and keys to keep your belongings safe.

shop £49

Grey Memory Foam Hybrid Sprung Mattress – Double

Score an incredibly affordable mattress for less with this ultra-popular Grey Memory Foam Hybrid Sprung Mattress, boasting huge savings on unbeatable comfort.

Combining open coil Bonnell springs and memory foam for enhanced support and pressure relief, this luxe mattress adapts to your body's shape for a personalised, restful sleep.

shop £79

Bistro Chef 2-in-1 1.5 Litre Ice Crusher & Smoothie Blender with Premium Glass Jar

Ace your kitchen prep with this Bistro Chef 2-in-1 1.5 Litre Ice Crusher & Smoothie Blender with Premium Glass Jar, a total steal at just £12.99.

This does-it-all appliance allows you to blend and grind, boasting a 1.5L capacity that's ideal for meal prepping big batches or feeding the family.

shop £12.99

Ultra Soft Electric Heated Sherpa Fleece Blanket

Make chilly evenings that much more bearable with the help of this ultra-snuggly Electric Heated Sherpa Fleece Blanket.

Perfect for sofa evenings on cold desk days, this blanket features nine heat settings to help you reach ideal snuggliness, as well as timer settings for total peace of mind.

shop £17.99

6-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filtration & LED Brush

Snap up a powerful-yet-affordable vacuum with this 6-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filtration & LED Brush, yours for well under £50.

This cordless vacuum can be transformed into a handheld vacuum to help you reach tight spots, stairs and even your car.

shop from £42.99

Energy Efficient 10L Portable Dehumidifier

Colder, wetter weather can be big causes of damp, so a dehumidifier like this one can be a great help in your home.

Boasting ultra-quiet operation, it boasts three smart modes to help dehumidify, dry laundry or run silent for low-key, flexible daily use.

shop £52.99

The spring reset your home needs.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales previously spent time at Wood Farm in their secret early relationship, years before Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moved into the Sandringham property.