Ephraim Hardcastle
JeReMY Corbyn’s chutzpah, demanding an audience with the Queen, deserves a wry smile from the monarch. On becoming Labour leader in 2015 he declined the traditional offer of an audience as well as making no secret of his aversion to state banquets. he prevaricated about joining the Privy Council and, when he did so, declined to kiss hands. Worse, he wore a red rather than black jacket at the Commons tribute to the Queen Mother in 2002. hM will not have forgotten. SINCE the retirement of Prince Philip the Queen can choose any of her children to accompany her to Westminster. Andrew’s Epstein nightmare has seen her going out of her way to support her favourite son, prompting a former courtier to speculate: ‘She firmly believes Andrew can do no wrong and could well be tempted to place him at her side for the state opening of Parliament.’ APROPOs the Queen’s speech, as we noted after the 2015 state opening, the weight of the Imperial state Crown and the ermine robes were becoming a burden. It was the last time she wore them. For Theresa May’s solitary state opening in 2017 she dressed down, giving one of her rare demonstrations of being miffed. It collided with Royal Ascot and caused the cancellation of Garter Day. hM wore euro blue and a hat bearing an uncanny resemblance to the eU flag. Nothing is ever a coincidence in the gilded corridors. AND spare a thought for the new Black Rod, Sarah Clarke, the first woman to hold the post. She’ll find the Lords well-behaved but what will happen when she bangs the door for admittance to the surly Commons? There have been occasions when MPs have tried to block entry. Clarke will be armed. Unfortunately, as the first nonmilitary Black Rod since 1832, she may not know how to use her ceremonial sword. WILLIAM and harry remain mute on the Royal Mint’s branding of Noddy creator enid Blyton as racist and homophobic. Noddy, pictured, was one of Diana’s favourites and she ensured her sons’ nursery shelves were stocked with new Blyton editions. A collection of her stories inscribed ‘This Book Belongs To Diana’ was given to a footman in 1975 during a clearout of her childhood home at sandringham. And when her marriage to Charles floundered she often joked with friends about tribulations with her own Big ears. NOW free to resume her Imelda Marcoslike enthusiasm for shoes, Theresa May has been spotted with husband Philip in Russell & Bromley in her Maidenhead constituency. Shouldn’t Philip steer her towards a pair of leopard skin steel-toed boots to give successor Boris a good kicking? JACOB Rees-Mogg mewls at John humphrys on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: ‘Thank you for having me on as you come to the end of your distinguished service. There is always a frisson in being interviewed by someone who interviewed Margaret Thatcher and Nigel Lawson in their pomp.’ Did soonto-retire humphrys simper coquettishly at Moggy’s blatant apple polishing?