Author: quyen1

Credits: IMAGO / PanoramiC

Lewis Hamilton has been one of the greatest qualifiers in F1. However, ever since George Russell has taken the wheel beside him, the seven-time champion’s single-lap prowess has come under the radar. In 2024, Russell leads 7-1 in the qualifying head-to-head against Hamilton. However, the 39-year-old can easily recover in this battle. According to The Race, the average qualifying pace difference between the Mercedes drivers is only 0.062 seconds!

The Formula 1 subreddit of Reddit posted this fascinating stat for all 10 teammate pairs on the grid. The Mercedes teammates are the second-closest duo with such a negligible qualifying pace gap after McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Now, Hamilton can turn the tide to start out qualifying his younger teammate in the upcoming races. However, he needs to believe in himself. Lately, at the Monaco GP, the #44 driver put up a rather defeated front after Russell qualified in fifth place, while Hamilton had to settle for seventh.

Speaking to the media, the British driver cited how he doesn’t expect to beat Russell in qualifying for the rest of this season. This raised many eyebrows as fans and experts speculated whether Mercedes are sabotaging Hamilton in favor of Russell.

Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari for 2025 could be a factor that may be hampering a smooth dynamic between him and Mercedes. There was chatter from many experts that the Silver Arrows may sideline the 39-year-old from development meetings as the 2024 season progresses.

As the seven-time champion will be leaving the Brackley outfit next season, they would look to focus on Russell being their team leader. However, Hamilton’s prowess, even in the closing stages of his Mercedes stint, could be quite valuable for the team.

What is going on with the dynamic between Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?

When Lewis Hamilton announced his switch to Ferrari, there were questions raised about how it would affect his relationship with Mercedes. The team boss Toto Wolff cited that they have accepted the Briton’s decision and will continue their professional dynamic for his last season at the team.

However, Hamilton’s Monaco GP comments don’t indicate that ‘all is well’ at Brackley. The 39-year-old was performing exceptionally well in the practice sessions in Monaco. However, come qualifying it all went away from him, as Russell pipped him.

This has been the trend for Hamilton at several races over the past two years. Sometimes, it has been due to the experimental setup on the #44 driver’s car that gave him a disadvantage relative to his teammate. Now, as the chatter and speculations suggested about Mercedes sabotaging Hamilton this time around, Toto Wolff has rubbished that notion.

According to Formula1.com, Wolff cited how all drivers can be “skeptical” at times when things don’t go well. He added, “I think as a team, we’ve demonstrated that even in the most tense competitions between teammates, we are trying to always balance it right and be transparent and fair.”

While the Mercedes boss is diffusing unfounded theories, the head-to-head battle between Hamilton and Russell seems to suggest otherwise. With just 12 points between them in the standing, it would be fascinating to see if the 39-year-old veteran can turn the tides in his favor.

Credits: IMAGO / ABACAPRESS

Lewis Hamilton became the latest guest on ‘Hot Ones’, where he discussed a wide range of topics, including fashion, fan reactions, and movies. The Mercedes driver did all of this while eating spicy (vegan) wings, and the viewers fell in love with the seven-time World Champion’s personality.

Hamilton is one the most popular F1 drivers in the world, but some didn’t know who the Briton was. Given not everyone follows the sport, viewers were pleasantly surprised with how humble the 39-year-old was. Especially after learning about his success.

Some fans, even deemed him to be on the “Mt Rushmore” of guests who have appeared on Hot Ones. This is quite a prestigious list considering all the big names that have graced the show in the past.

Introducing Lewis Hamilton to those who didn’t know him, one comment became an instant hit. “For those unfamiliar, he’s basically a British Lightning McQueen.” This was a reference to Disney’s Cars‘ protagonist, who in the movie, was the best and most widely known racing car.

Unfamiliar fans also took to the comments section, including one, who said, “This is one of my favorite episodes, what a great dude.” 

Hamilton is arguably the most widely supported F1 driver in the world. And his popularity is especially large in the US. Safe to say that after this latest episode of ‘Hot Ones’, he can add more names to the list.

Fans, both old and new, flock to appreciate a humble Lewis Hamilton

With Lewis Hamilton becoming the talk of the town in this latest escapade, people both familiar and unfamiliar with him couldn’t stop themselves from praising the Mercedes driver for his attitude. A comment on YouTube described the 39-year-old as “classy, elegant and refined.”

Meanwhile, another viewer wrote, “Dude is so humble and kind-hearted.”

The video, which was released on YouTube on 30th May, garnered over a million views in less than 24 hours. Hamilton also had an achievement of his own through this, earning himself a new legion of followers through the episode.

Credits: IMAGO Motorsport Images

While on the Hot Ones show with host Sean Evans, Lewis Hamilton was asked about the worst wipe-out he had faced while surfing. Braving through some intense hot wings, the seven-time world champion narrated a near-death experience that almost saw him run out of luck.

Hamilton revealed that the worst wipe-out he had ever experienced was when he was out surfing with Kelly Slater. As it turns out, the #44 driver was ambushed by four monster waves which even led to his surfboard being snapped in two. In the end, he weathered the storm but it got him closest to death.

Describing the exercise of ducking in, catching hold of the reef, and waiting for the wave to pass, Hamilton said that he had to do it three times consecutively. “I nearly ran out of air, you know, I nearly drowned”, he explained.

According to Surfer Today, the Briton actually got his first taste of surfing during his relationship with Nicole Scherzinger. After their breakup, the #44 driver kept at it and was eventually mentored by the likes of Slater and Kai Lenny into really falling in love with the sport.

Lewis Hamilton is an adventure sports freak

Lewis Hamilton is really an adrenaline junkie and surfing is not the only sport he likes to dabble in when he’s not driving. For instance, he is also an avid skydiver.

Hamilton’s inherent affinity for adventure sports probably stems from his F1 lifestyle. Once out of the car, it isn’t a far stretch to imagine the Briton seeking to replace the thrill and adrenaline rush elsewhere.

With such activities often involving high risks, one would expect Mercedes not to be in favor of them. However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is more than happy to allow the 39-year-old to indulge in such activities.

SilverArrows.net quoted the Austrian as once revealing, “Others meditate or run, but Lewis jumps out of a plane to clear his head. And he should!” Wolff then also explained that as long as Hamilton continues to perform on the track, he doesn’t mind what the Briton chooses to do in his spare time.

Lewis Hamilton. Remember him? Well, he pushed his name towards the top of the timesheets in practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion, who has endured an uncompetitive Mercedes the past three seasons, set the fastest lap in the opening session around the narrow streets, and the second best in the concluding warm-up.

A flicker of hope, then, for Hamilton ending the longest non-winning streak of his career, dating back to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix of 2021? Perhaps, but everyone was experimenting with different runs so we should regard the evidence with a degree of caution.

Still, Hamilton was buoyed enough to say: ‘It’s been a good day, probably the best we have had this year.’

He was also asked by an Italian reporter whether he felt it would be easier to learn Italian before moving to Ferrari or get on the podium in the remaining 17 races, Hamilton laughed.

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Lewis Hamilton reveals his chances of learning Italian are bigger than standing of the podium

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His last Formula One win was back in 2021 in Saudi Arabian Grand prix over Max Verstappen

‘I think learning Italian’s going to be the hardest, probably,’ he said. ‘But at the moment getting to the podium probably is the less likely one.’

It was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc who finished the action at the head of the field, 0.188sec in front, raising the prospect of Leclerc becoming only the second Monegasque to win his home race, and the first since the world championship was created in 1950. Louis Cheron, whose bust stands by the swimming pool, won here in a Bugatti in 1931.

Qualifying is viewed as crucial on the principality’s thin ribbon of tarmac, though only three pole men have gone on to win the race in the past eight years. Indeed, Leclerc has twice taken pole here without claiming a podium finish.

Max Verstappen, who has won five of seven races this season, was only fourth best, a place behind Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and more than half-a-second behind Leclerc.

The Dutch world champion complained of his Red Bull bouncing like a kangaroo and giving him a headache. He grazed the barriers at Portier.

Lando Norris, who harried Verstappen all the way in Imola a week ago and won in Miami earlier in the month, was fifth fastest for McLaren.

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The seven time champion won the opening free practice session for the Monaco Grand Prix

Sergio Perez walked away unscathed from a huge 160mph crash on a crazy opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Mexican, starting 16th, was tagged by the Haas of Kevin Magnussen heading uphill after the first corner, Sainte Devote. The Dane’s front left caught Perez’s rear right, sending the latter into the barriers.

Perez then ricocheted into the other Haas of Nico Hulkenberg in dramatic pinball action that brought out a red flag while the debris was cleared.

Perez’s Red Bull was all but destroyed with just one wheel left attached, though the monocoque protected the driver from physical damage.

All climbed out without obvious injuries.

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Sergio Perez’s car was all but destroyed following a first lap crash at the Monaco Grand Prix

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Only one wheel was left attached on Perez’s car following the crash with Kevin Magnussen

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A red flag was waved following the crash on a dramatic start to the Monaco Grand Prix

In a mad start, the two Alpines tangled, sending Esteban Ocon airborne on the entry to the tunnel. He landed safely but retired from the race under the red flag due to the damage his car suffered.

Carlos Sainz, running third for Ferrari, stopped at Casino Square as he appeared to go in too deep, after contact with Oscar Piastri at the start.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc led from pole with McLaren’s Piastri second prior to the stoppage.

The stewards took no action in the Perez-Magnussen-Hulkenberg collision – and rightly so for a racing incident on the first lap (where the stewards try to be more lenient).

Ocon was handed a 10-second penalty, but he didn’t restart the race in any case.

Racing resumed at 2.46pm (3.46pm local time) after debris was cleared from the circuit.

Stewards confirmed Sainz would resume in third at the restart, with drivers having not progressed enough around the first lap to establish a new order.

The race resumed without Perez, Magnussen, Hulkenberg and Ocon following the crash.

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Debris from Perez’s car was sent across the circuit following the crash with Magnussen

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Race marshalls cleared the track after the race was red flagged after the opening lap crash

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The marshalls were forced to clear a significant amount of debris before racing could resume

Speaking on Sky Sports, former world champion Jenson Button suggested Perez and Magnussen should have given each other more room.

‘It’s surprising [Perez] knew [Magnussen] was there and didn’t move to the left a little bit more,’ Button said.

‘It was a horrible impact and because you’re going at such a high speed there you end up about 300 metres away from the incident.

‘It’s a real strange one. You’ve got to say both guys should have given each other more room.

‘Is it a racing incident? It kind of is because Checo knew Kevin was there and maybe should have given him a little bit more room, but if a car is coming to the right doing 150mph, I’d back out.’

Sergio Perez has accused Kevin Magnussen of ‘dangerous driving’ after their massive collision on the opening lap of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Mexican, starting 16th, was tagged by the Haas of Magnussen heading uphill after the first corner. The Dane’s front left caught Perez’s rear right, sending the latter into the barriers in a huge 160mph crash.

Perez rebounded off the wall and into the other Haas of Nico Hulkenberg, as his Red Bull became a pinball before it finally came to rest on the circuit.

His car was written off with just one wheel left attached, though the strength of today’s cars was shown off, as he walked away without injury.

However, the Red Bull star was not happy that Magnussen didn’t receive any penalty, for what he felt was causing the crash.

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Sergio Perez has accused Kevin Magnussen of ‘dangerous driving’ after their Monaco crash

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Perez’s car was all but destroyed following a first lap crash at the Monaco Grand Prix which involved Magnussen and his Haas team-mate Nico Hulkenberg

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Only one wheel was left attached on Perez’s car following the crash with Kevin Magnussen

He said: ‘This was more dangerous driving, just to keep it flat out knowing that there was going to come contact at some point.

‘I think that was some dangerous driving. We need to ask for a reason why it’s not been investigated because without an investigation we don’t get a reason why it wasn’t a penalty. I’m really surprised.’

Magnussen, who is currently on 10 penalty points, two short of a race ban, felt Perez should have left him space.

Perez though responded: ‘You sometimes find yourself in a position and you have to take a very quick decision to say: “There’s only one way of it and it’s going to be contact, so I’d better back out.” But he will go for the contact.’

Magnussen’s team-mate Hulkenberg, who also retired following the collision, said that the crash was ‘unneccessary’.

In a mad start, the two Alpines also tangled, sending Esteban Ocon airborne on the entry to the tunnel. He landed safely but retired from the race under the red flag due to the damage his car suffered.

Ocon was handed a 10-second penalty, but he didn’t restart the race in any case.

Carlos Sainz, running third for Ferrari, stopped at Casino Square as he appeared to go in too deep, after contact with Oscar Piastri at the start.

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Debris from Perez’s car was sent across the circuit following the crash with Magnussen

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Race marshalls cleared the track after the race was red flagged after the opening lap crash

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The marshalls were forced to clear a significant amount of debris before racing could resume

Stewards confirmed Sainz would resume in third at the restart, with drivers having not progressed enough around the first lap to establish a new order.

The race resumed without Perez, Magnussen, Hulkenberg and Ocon following the crash.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former world champion Jenson Button suggested Perez and Magnussen should have given each other more room.

‘It’s surprising [Perez] knew [Magnussen] was there and didn’t move to the left a little bit more,’ Button said.

‘It was a horrible impact and because you’re going at such a high speed there you end up about 300 metres away from the incident.

‘It’s a real strange one. You’ve got to say both guys should have given each other more room.

‘Is it a racing incident? It kind of is because Checo knew Kevin was there and maybe should have given him a little bit more room, but if a car is coming to the right doing 150mph, I’d back out.’

Lewis Hamilton has led calls for a major revamp of the rules specifically for Monaco – possibly with three mandatory pit stops.

The seven-time world champion, who partly lives in the principality, spoke for a disappointed cadre of drivers – and television viewers worldwide – when he said ‘people were falling asleep’ watching Sunday’s race won through tears at a tortoise’s pace by home hero Charles Leclerc.

Hamilton agreed with the sentiments of Max Verstappen, who said he should have taken a pillow with him. ‘It was non-eventful,’ said the British star, who finished seventh.

‘Everyone drove so slowly. So it didn’t matter what tyre you were on. We were driving seconds off the pace.

‘I don’t know what to say. That is for you to report. I am sure people were falling asleep.

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Lewis Hamilton has led calls for a major revamp of the rules specifically for Monaco

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Hamilton spoke for many drivers when he said ‘people were falling asleep’ watching the race

‘Our tyres can do a whole race. We have too hard tyre compounds here, so we have to find ways of spicing it up, maybe a mandatory three stops.’

The grand prix was sterilised by a first-lap crash. All drivers immediately switched tyres – the regulations demand two compounds be used in a race – and then limped half-speed to the finish an hour-and-three-quarters later, knowing overtaking was nigh-on impossible on the narrow roads.

This allowed Ferrari’s Leclerc to covert pole to his first win since 2022, in Austria.

Of the few passing chances, Verstappen said: ‘We all know what it is like in Monaco. In the last few years it has become even more difficult with the width of the cars, but it is nothing new.’

Asked if he thought the event should be ditched, the Dutchman said: ‘First, I would like to make a few little changes to Monaco because that would make it even more exciting.

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Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took advantage of a first-lap crash to claim victory in his home-town

‘Overall, the weekend is really cool; it’s the Sundays that are little boring. The scenery is still great but if we could find a way to race a bit more, why not? That would be my preferred solution.’

The race is up for renewal after next year’s edition and is expected to stay on the calendar, with organisers, the Automobile Club de Monaco, and Formula One edging towards a new agreement for close to £20million.

Lewis Hamilton may drive one of the fastest cars in the world for a living, but his terrifying, near-death experience didn’t occur on a race track.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion revealed the scary incident happened in Hawaii while surfing the infamous Pipeline with Kelly Slater.

‘It was 20-foot waves and Kelly was like “there’s no way you’re coming out there,”‘ Hamilton said during an interview on Hot Ones, which dropped Thursday.

‘As I started to try to paddle in, I got sucked into the kill zone,’ he went on.

‘I turn around and see this set of four waves coming. [I thought] “it’s over, it’s all over.”‘

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Lewis Hamilton recalled a near-death experience during a new Hot Ones interview

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He said the incident took place when he was trying his hand at surfing in Hawaii

The Mercedes driver, who counts the 11-time World Surfing League champ as a friend, said he jumped off his board and dove underwater to hold onto the reef.

‘I could hear this wave crash above me,’ he recalled.

‘My board got ripped off and snapped in half. I came back up gasping for air but the next one was coming so I went back down.’

Hamilton, who was eating an ultra spicy wing while telling the harrowing story, said he dove underwater three more times.

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Hamilton, who was surfing with Kelly Slater, thought ‘it was all over’ as the wave approached

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‘My board snapped in half. I came back up gasping for air but the next one was coming,’ he said

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The seven-time F1 champ eventually made it back to shore after the set of ’20-foot’ waves

‘I nearly ran out of air, I nearly drowned,’ he said.

Luckily, he ‘managed to swim back’ to shore from there.

Back in 2019, the British athlete joined Slater at his state-of-the-art Surf Ranch, in California’s central San Joaquin valley.

The facility, which is powered by renewable energy, is credited with creating the world’s largest open-barrel artificial wave.

‘New year, new sport, time to learn new things. Thank you #goat Kelly Slater for teaching me! That was rad,’ Hamilton captioned a post at the time.

Lewis Hamilton proved he’s a true competitor when he went ‘full send’ during an interview on the popular internet show, Hot Ones.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion winced as he began sweating and tearing up while downing a series of ultra-spicy wings throughout the video.

Hamilton revealed he had previously cancelled on the Hot Ones team ‘several times’ because he was nervous about the infamous spice challenge.

‘A part of it was scheduling [conflicts] but most of it was like, “I don’t know if I can do it,” he admitted.

‘Even on the way here I was honestly like, “how can I get out of this?”‘

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Lewis Hamilton went ‘full send’ during an interview on the popular internet show, Hot Ones

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‘On the way here I was honestly like, “how can I get out of this?”‘ he admitted

By the fifth wing, Hamilton was starting to struggle.

‘Holy s**t, it’s hard to talk,’ he said.

The following wing, coated in the notoriously spicy ‘Da Bomb Beyond Insanity’ sauce, caused the athlete the most distress.

However, at the end of the interview, he insisted on going back in for another dab of the condiment.

‘It hurts when I breathe … Do we go in again? We should just send it,’ he said.

Fans were quick to praise the Mercedes ace for his ‘legendary’ behavior.

‘Can we please talk about how Lewis finished all the sauces and then WENT BACK FOR MORE?!! This man is INSANE,’ one person commented on the YouTube video.

‘Lewis just making sure that no other F1 driver will ever top his performance by doing da bomb again,’ another joked.

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The Formula 1 world champion winced as he began sweating and tearing up during the clip

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He even insisted on going back in for another dab of the ‘Da Bomb Beyond Insanity’ sauce

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Hamilton also recalled a near-death experience while surfing with WSL champ Kelly Slater

A third person chimed in, ‘bro what, ive been watching hot ones since day one NO one came back for an extra bite of da bomb with a dab of the sauce… this is why he is legendary.’

Elsewhere in the interview, Hamilton recalled a terrifying, near-death experience while surfing with WSL champ Kelly Slater.

‘It was 20-foot waves and Kelly was like “there’s no way you’re coming out there,”‘ he said.

‘As I started to try to paddle in, I got sucked into the kill zone. I turn around and see this set of four waves coming. [I thought] “it’s over, it’s all over.”‘

The Ferrari-bound F1 driver then jumped off his board and dove underwater to hold onto the reef.

‘I could hear this wave crash above me,’ he recalled.

‘My board got ripped off and snapped in half. I came back up gasping for air but the next one was coming so I went back down … I nearly ran out of air, I nearly drowned.’

THE Beckhams show they love Japan so mochi on a visit to a traditional tea house during a family holiday.

David, 48, Victoria, 49, and kids Cruz, 18, and Harper, 11, posed with geishas.

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The Beckhams visited a traditional tea house during a family holiday to JapanCredit: Instagram

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Victoria posed with a fan next to a geisha during the visitCredit: Instagram
The Spice Girl turned designer, 49, also kept herself cool as she posed with a fan during the trip.

Taking to Instagram to gush over the trip, Becks wrote: “After so long it was so nice to be back in Japan with the family learning about the culture & of course enjoying all the amazing food.”

Meanwhile, Victoria added: “So incredible being back in Japan after so long meeting incredible people and learning about the culture and traditions.

“Thank you to everyone for making our family feel so welcome.”

Last month Victoria posed for a photo with daughter-in-law Nicola Peltz, wife of her son Brooklyn, following rumours of a feud.

The Sun also exclusively revealed how Nicola and Brooklyn held an Easter peace summit at her family’s £76million Palm Beach mansion in a bid to end rift rumours between the bride and her in-laws.

It was reported that The Beckham family were to be hosted by Nicola’s billionaire businessman dad Nelson Peltz and mum Claudia for a special dinner at the Florida beach side estate.

An insider said at the time: “The couple have spent the last few days in Tokyo but wanted to gather both families in Palm Beach for a low-key Easter Sunday dinner to commemorate their first year as a married couple.”

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Victoria also shared photos with daughter Harper from the tripCredit: Instagram

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David wrote on Instagram: ‘After so long it was so nice to be back in Japan with the family learning about the culture & of course enjoying all the amazing food’Credit: Instagram

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Victoria wrote: ‘Thank you to everyone for making our family feel so welcome’