Ephraim Hardcastle

THE Queen’s reported £6.7million winnings from racing over the past 30 years – an average of £223,000 a year – suggests she’s a highly successful owner but my racing source says: ‘This Flat season she has run 24 horses. Conservatively, that has cost her £600,000. She probably spends more than she earns.’ A royal source adds: ‘As well as maintaining the Royal Stud at Sandringham and excellent facilities at Windsor she has to pay an army of staff plus top-flight trainers and jockeys and she puts her yearlings in the care of the Polhampton Stud, which isn’t cheap. And, unlike some owners, she looks after her horses when they’re retired.’ THERESA May has a surprising ally in European political circles – former French PM Bernard Cazeneuve, 54, who is expected to run for the French presidency in 2022 as a socialist. Referring to Mrs May, he said this week on local TV, ‘Ah! British elegance!’. He added that she possesses ‘total professionalism’ and is good at ‘in-depth solution-seeking’, and confessed, ‘Yes, I do like her.’ He yanked up his jacket sleeves to reveal a pair of Big Ben cufflinks, adding: ‘Look, she gave me these as a present.’ Is Philip May, him indoors at No 10, aware of this unexpected entente cordiale?! CROSS-dressing entertainer Eddie Izzard, 55, pictured, who is again attempting to be elected to Labour’s national executive committee – he was unsuccessful last year – says the party needs to ‘tap into the diversity within our movement’. Eddie’s certainly diverse. There’s speculation he received ‘breast implants’ after visiting New York recently. WHEN the Duchess of Cambridge joined the Royal Family, an agreement was drawn up between Kate, her family and Prince William to protect her from undue stress during the first five years of marriage. The idea was to acquaint her gently with the public exposure rigours of royal life. Now Prince Harry is said to be considering a similar agreement to shield his own bride, Meghan Markle, from palace courtiers who prefer to keep their charges busy. APROPOS Harry’s nuptials, should there be a public holiday? Chancellors of the Exchequer hate them because of the multi-billion-pound cost to the economy. The Treasury would be happier if the couple decide to marry on a Saturday but royals prefer weekday weddings. Princes Charles and Andrew had Wednesday ceremonies, while the Queen and Princess Anne married on a Thursday and Prince William and Kate on a Friday. Charles and Camilla had to tie the knot on a Saturday only because he had to attend the then Pope’s funeral on the Friday. LEFTIE broadcaster James O’Brien, 45, was successfully replaced on LBC this week by Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, 48. ‘What a joy listening to J R-M for those three hours,’ enthuses one of many delighted listeners. ‘Really refreshing not to have a hand-wringing bigot presenting this slot for a change,’ chimes another. Might O’Brien have to resume taking inside leg measurements while selling suits in Regent Street?