Barometer | 21 May 2011

Royal reception


— The first visit to Ireland by a British monarch in 100 years has focused attention on the last, by George V on his coronation tour in July 1911. He remarked on the warmth of his reception, even though this was just five years before the Easter Rising.

— One visit that went less well, at least behind the scenes, was that of Victoria in 1900. The Admiralty lost the royal yacht, believing it to be in Dublin when it was off the south coast of England. And a wooden pier at Kingstown Harbour was completed with minutes to spare, and was ‘most unsatisfactory’ according to the Ministry of Public Works, which also complained about the cost of its decorations.

Years of the panda


Ming Ming, the world’s oldest panda, has died aged 34, more than twice a panda’s natural lifespan in the wild. Here are some animals that lived longer:

Lin Wang, elephant, d.