The Launch of the London Grand Prix by Santander at the Royal Automobile Club London

(L to R) F1 driver Jenson Button, Olympian Amy Williams, radio presenter Sarah Jane Crawford, TV presenter Melanie Sykes and F1 driver Lewis Hamilton attend the launch of the London Grand Prix by Santander at the Royal Automobile Club on June 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

Prince William: Born to be King

Penny Junor

H&S Non Fiction 9781444720402 $32.99

The definitive portrait of the man who will be King, written by the bestselling royal biographer Penny Junor.

Prince William has emerged as the people's prince, surfacing from a lifetime of scrutiny and speculation as a discerning and charming young man, determined to serve the nation he loves.His wedding to long-term sweetheart Kate Middleton last year was watched by over two billion people around the world. Protective of his new bride, William has emphasised that he's keen to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. William has inherited her instinctive empathy for others and in both his professional and personal life he has demonstrated a rare ability to get on with people from all walks of life.In BORN TO BE KING acclaimed royal writer Penny Junor tells his fascinating story - from growing up in the spotlight; the tragic death of his mother; his career serving in the RAF; the love story with Kate and their fairytale wedding.This is the definitive portrait of a remarkable young man.

About the Author

Penny Junor is a writer and broadcaster. She is the author of many best-selling biographies including ones of both the Prince and the Princess of Wales and two British Prime Ministers. She also co-wrote best-selling autobiographies of Pattie Boyd and Sir Cliff Richard. For many years she presented The Travel Show on BBC2 and Channel 4's award-winning consumer programme 4 What It's Worth. She is married with children and grandchildren and lives in Wiltshire.

Elton's Bentley Under the Hammer

A 1975 Bentley Corniche convertible formerly owned by Sir Elton John, goes under the hammer at Bonhams sale in Oxford on 16th June, estimated to sell for £50,000 to £60,000. The sale is held in Association with the VMCC (Vintage Motor Cycle Club) Banbury Run.

The current owner bought the Corniche when a selection of cars from Sir Elton's collection was auctioned in 2001, at which time the odometer reading stood at a little over 43,000 miles. Sir Elton speaks highly of the Bentley, which was one of a handful of his cars used extensively. He said: "I've had a lot of people in it, Princess Margaret's been in it, everyone's been in it."

The car is one of only 45 Bentley Corniche 'Series 1' convertibles built between 1971 and 1976. It was purchased new by Elton John in September 1975 and supplied finished in Silver Mink with beige interior and matching hood. In 1998, the year of his knighthood, Sir Elton sold the Bentley to his Personal Assistant, Robert Halley, from whom he repurchased it in 1999. During Mr Halley's ownership the car was repainted in its present livery and updated with later alloy wheels.

Construction of these cars involved moving the bodyshells between the Crewe factory and MPW's Willesden plant, a process that took all of 20 weeks for the saloon and slightly longer for the more complex convertible. These exclusive cars were hand built in the best traditions of British coachbuilding using only materials of the finest quality including Wilton carpeting, Connolly hide and burr walnut veneers, such painstaking attention to detail resulting in a price some 50% higher than that of the standard Silver Shadow or T-Series Bentley.

Used sparingly since acquisition, the Corniche benefits from refurbishment of the interior, carried out by marque specialists P & A Wood four years ago at a cost of circa £10,000, but otherwise is un-restored and in generally good condition. The interior, needless to say, is excellent. Accompanying documentation consists of Sir Elton's letter of provenance, current MoT and Swansea V5 document.