Hardcastle
PRINCESS Eugenie’s restructuring of her Anti-Slavery Collective charity prompts the question: how is her father Andrew expressing regret for his Epstein association? Contained in his £12million settlement with Virginia Giuffre is a pledge to show regret by supporting the victims of sex trafficking. With the mere mention of his name prompting charities to bolt with the speed of Linford Christie, Andrew has an uphill struggle finding a berth through which to publicly demonstrate remorse.
DESPITE a fleeting reconciliation at Windsor, relations between Harry and Camilla apparently remain glacial after the Queen’s approval of the duchess as the first queen consort to be crowned since her mother in 1937. Charles reportedly plans to be crowned side by side with Camilla, meaning Harry would be obliged to kneel alongside William to pay homage to Charles and Camilla. Rather than bend the knee to his stepmother – enthroned and crowned just yards from where his mother’s coffin lay in 1997 – might Harry decide to absent himself in California?
TOM Cruise, clearing his throat to take part in ITV’s Windsor Castle Platinum Jubilee broadcast next month, was once ruled out as a potential romantic partner by the late Princess of Wales. After meeting Cruise, pictured, on the set of the first 1996 Mission: Impossible film with sons Wills and Harry, Diana cheekily concluded on returning to Kensington Palace: ‘That’s another one off the list – he’s too short!’
HIGHCLERE Castle chatelaine Lady Carnarvon rattles the chandeliers in fury at Amazon deliveries going astray because drivers can’t find the address. She explains: ‘Filling in the complaint form, the first question of which: “Are there any distinguishing features about your address?” We replied, “Large building with towers, visible from some miles, possibly the most famous home in the world, more commonly known as Downton Abbey”.’
FORMER BBC head of religious broadcasting the Very Reverend Colin Semper, who has died aged 84, produced Jimmy Savile’s Radio 1 show Speakeasy, where Savile had wide access to underage girls. ‘I’d say, “Leave the girls alone! We’re not doing girls now!”’ recalled Semper, who was cleared in Dame Janet Smith’s Savile report. Dame Janet did add: ‘But he clearly did “think” that Savile had casual sex with a lot of girls, some of whom might have been underage.’
ENCOUNTERING a Speedo-clad Frankie Dettori on holiday, oafish Oasis warbler Liam Gallagher accepted the jockey’s challenge to clamber on his back, telling Mojo magazine: ‘I’m in a pair of shorts riding on Frankie Dettori’s back topless along this beach for about 20 minutes, whipping his arse, whole beach cheering. He’s very strong.’ Weighed in!