Ephraim Hardcastle
PALACE officials have been asked by civil servants if the Queen has any engagements for the weekend after March 29 – Brexit Day. No 10 (ie, the PM) might need HM to address the nation in the event of this constitutional event ‘going pear-shaped’, I’m told. In fact, the monarch has a clear diary. She’s been here before. In 1997, she had to speak to the nation when panicking politicians thought the death of Princess Diana could threaten the monarchy, and had to endure New Year’s Eve at the controversial Millennium Dome, holding hands with the PM responsible, Tony Blair.
HM will watch proceedings at the Cenotaph from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office balcony on Remembrance Sunday while Prince Charles lays two wreaths – hers and his own. Prince Philip’s wreath will be laid by his equerry. Shouldn’t the Queen’s equerry do likewise? He’s Ghanaian-born Major Nana Kofi Twumasi-Ankrah, pictured, who would be the first African to lay a royal wreath at the Cenotaph.
FORMER angelic choirboy Aled Jones, 47, is promoting an album with celebrity tenor Russell Watson, including a single, commendably marking ‘both the centenary of the end of World War One and the 70th anniversary of the National Health Service’. Jones hopes to recover his family-friendly image. His role as Songs Of Praise host was axed by the BBC for three months until January after a sexual harassment claim. He was allowed to return after apologising.
THE approval ratings for President Emmanuel Macron of France are down to 26 per cent, with 41 per cent saying they’d ‘try an authoritarian government’. A voter on French radio explains: ‘We’ve given the Right a try, and then the Left, and now the Centre and they’ve all been merde – so why not?’
TORY MP and ex-soldier Johnny Mercer says of those who wear ‘peace’ poppies on Remembrance Day: ‘White poppies are attention-seeking rubbish. Ignore those wearing them. If you don’t want to wear a poppy don’t bother. They fought and died so you could choose.’ Quite.
MARILYN Monroe’s Jewish prayer book is to be auctioned on Monday in New York. She converted prior to her 1956 marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. Auctioneers estimate that, with notes in her handwriting, it could fetch up to £10,000.
WHILE Speaker John Bercow’s expected role at the Cenotaph wreath-laying raises eyebrows, the inclusion of another Westminster figure pleases MPs. Terry Wiggins MBE, a Commons chef for 44 years, will lay a wreath with two members of the 8th Royal Eltham Scout troop he leads in south London ‘in recognition of their splendid WW1 centenary project’.
THE Duchess of Cambridge was criticised in 2017 after most of her public engagements were in London. It’s the same this year. Must do better nationally, Kate!