Ephraim Hardcastle
WHAT will its patron, the Duchess of Cambridge, do about Wimbledon, starting on Monday? Kate’s still officially on maternity leave. Since Prince Louis was born on St George’s Day, she has appeared publicly only twice – for the royal wedding and Trooping the Colour. Visiting Wimbledon officially – if not about to resume full-time duties – might attract criticism. In 2015, on maternity leave after the birth of Charlotte, she watched the tennis on TV. Some wonder if she’ll be upstaged by sister-in-law Meghan. Harry’s ‘Her Royal Highness Indoors’ has made several visits to the All England Club. Also, she now rates a front-row seat in the royal box.
CITY writer Oliver Shah’s book about Sir Philip Green and the BHS scandal, Damaged Goods, says the retailer once entered Piccadilly restaurant Langan’s and spotted a former associate, ‘loan shark’ Tony Schneider, with whom he had fallen out. ‘Schneider leapt up and punched him in the face twice, sending him sprawling,’ says Shah. As staff helped Green to his feet, Schneider barked: ‘Leave the p***k where he is. He can crawl out.’ High finance? It’s so refined now, isn’t it?
NEXT week’s NHS celebration at Westminster Abbey is headed by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, pictured. While Princes William, Harry (and the former’s three children) all arrived courtesy of the private Lindo Wing, at St Mary’s, Paddington, the Wessex brood came into the world at Frimley Park – Edward and Sophie’s local NHS hospital in Surrey. They assisted Sophie through her ectopic pregnancy, the difficult birth of Louise in 2003 and the undramatic arrival of James in 2007. Isn’t she a clever choice to send to the Abbey?
RECENTLY knighted Beatle Sir Ringo Starr is harshly reviewed in Tel Aviv. A local critic describes his ‘dispiriting and sometimes actually discomfiting’ performance, adding: ‘Things got worse with an unwise performance of You’re Sixteen, whose lyrics no sensible man of 77 would attempt, but which Ringo rendered still more excruciating by actually asking whether there were any young girls in the audience.’ Oh dear.
LABOUR’S deputy leader Tom Watson, 51, is so proud of his recent weight loss that he vows: ‘When I’ve lost my 100th pound I’m going to treat myself to a new bike. I’m considering a Brompton but do send suggestions!’ Since the folding machines referred to can cost up to £2,000, does he hope London-based Brompton will offer him a freebie?
AS I have mentioned, the visit of King Felipe of Spain to Washington could prove ominous thanks to his determination to force us into handing over Gibraltar. President Trump enthused over his visitors: ‘Very special people and a beautiful place. Our relationship has been outstanding… excellent trade relationship, military relationship. Just about everything you can have. So we love Spain.’ Felipe’s response was along the same lines. We must hope Trump is equally effusive about his hostess next month, the Queen.