Today’s birthdays

Miss Sophia Loren, actress, is 85; Prof David Marquand, Principal of Mansfield College, Oxford, 1996-2002, 85; Lord Dear, HM Inspector of Constabulary, 1990-97, 82; Mrs Isobel Brydie, Lord-lieutenant for West Lothian, 2002-17, 77; Lord Janvrin, Private Secretary to the Queen, 1999-2007, 73; Mr Alan Simpson, former Labour MP, 71; Lord Justice Lindblom 63; Prof John Harle, saxophonist, composer and conductor, 63; Mr Justice Jay 60; Ms Caroline

Flint, MP, 58; Mr Ian

Macgregor, Editor Emeritus, TMG; Editor, The Sunday

Telegraph, 2006-17, 58; and Ms Stephanie Millward, swimmer; Paralympic gold and bronze medallist, Rio 2016; silver and bronze medallist, London 2012, 38. Today is the anniversary of the QEII being launched and named at Clydebank in 1967.