Queen’s man causes stir at true blue HQ

FOR almost 200 years, the Carlton Club in London’s St James’s has been the bastion of the Conservative Party establishment. Margaret Thatcher was the first woman to be made an honorary member. In 2008, saintly Ann Widdecombe, the former Tory MP, became the first paid-up woman member.

The true blue club has now appointed the suave Major Simon Robinson (who is a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) as secretary, on a reputed £130,000 salary package. Lord Strathclyde, who served in Lady Thatcher’s government, wrote to members saying: ‘I know you will all welcome Simon into our Carlton Club family.’

Well, not everyone has. The appointment of Robinson, a former Crown Equerry to the Queen, has raised a few eyebrows. Robinson, who looked after the Royal Mews, 34 horses and the carriages and coaches used at state ceremonies, quit the coveted so-called ‘job for life’ in 2011 after six years. And his exit was not without controversy.

He departed after his wife, Amelisa, walked out with their two children and started divorce proceedings. Robinson denied rumours of an affair.

The loss of the job was a blow to Robinson’s social standing. The Queen called regularly for tea at Robinson’s three-storey grace-and-favour house in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Robinson, who used to be commanding officer of the King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, was one of the few aides permitted to telephone the Queen directly.

If he still has her number, will he invite Her Majesty for tea at the Carlton when he starts next month?