Pick of the week’s Gossip

In his new book, The Fifth Risk ( see page 29), Michael Lewis reveals that a strange breach of protocol took place after President Trump’s election. Ignoring the established order in which foreign leaders are allowed to talk to the new incumbent, President Sisi of Egypt rang Trump Tower and persuaded the operator to put him straight through. Trump rose to the occasion with his usual diplomacy. “I love the The Bangles [pictured],” he declared. “You know that song Walk Like an Egyptian?”

The broadcaster Gyles Brandreth was waiting for a train at Newport, Gwent, last week, when a fellow passenger came up to him and asked him if the station had a toilet. “I don’t know, I’m afraid,” Brandreth said. “On the telly,” replied the stranger, “you give the impression you know bloody everything.”

No expense was spared at Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk’s wedding in the Hamptons, according to the bride’s website, Goop. The Argentinian chef Francis Mallmann – “known for his live-fire cooking style” – flew 5,000 miles from Chile to prepare the rehearsal dinner, of which the highlight was “a 12-hour grilled pineapple, so tender you can eat it to the core”. For those keen to recreate the occasion at home, the website thoughtfully lists everything used on the day, from “custom cocktail napkins” to cast-iron cocottes, with links to their retailers. “The day ended as it began,” the post concludes, “with beauty, love and two very happy people.”