Camilla’s brother: I’m more likely to have an affair with a ripe pomegranate * than date Nancy
* Not that I have got anything against pomegranates... Mark Shand rubbishes ‘laughable’ claims of romance with Sven’s ex
HER former loves have included a ex-England football manager and one of our greatest theatre directors – but if Nancy Dell’Olio had hoped to add aristocratic adventurer to the list, she is about to be disappointed.
For last night, the Duchess of Cornwall’s brother, Mark Shand, scotched reports that he is in a relationship with the colourful Italian socialite in no uncertain terms.
‘Let me be clear. I have never had an affair with Nancy Dell’Olio,’ he said. ‘We have never dated. There is no romance; there has not been any romance, there never will be.
‘I am more likely to have an affair with a ripe pomegranate! And I am very fond of pomegranates.’
The pair have met a number of times since they were introduced by Basia Briggs, owner of the Hyde Park riding stables, two years ago.
But 62-year-old Mr Shand, founder of the wildlife charity Elephant Family, insists their friendship has never strayed beyond the professional.
‘I know Nancy through my charity work,’ he said. ‘We have met and talked, even had a cup of tea together. There have been some staggering stories written which are laughably untrue. I have given consistent denials of any dating and certainly of any affair which have been ignored. Some stories, even if untrue, are clearly too enticing not to run.’
Certainly, Miss Dell’Olio’s romantic endeavours have been a source of great entertainment over the years, and she’s not usually been shy about discussing them publicly. First there was her unlikely nine-year relationship with the aloof football manager, SvenGoran Eriksson. Then there was talk of a romance with the former M&S boss, Sir Stuart Rose – rumours swiftly denied by the businessman.
Her last relationship was with Sir Trevor Nunn, a giant of English theatre who she insisted was her intellectual equal.
After they too broke up, she declared: ‘Being with me, it was a boost for him. I think every man takes a lift from being next to me.’ Mr Shand clearly thinks otherwise. He said: ‘I do know Nancy and clearly she is a remarkable character which is why she has become a staple diet of tabloids. As Ukraine and Russia feud it is odd to
be competing with that story for the front pages. It is mad. I hate to spoil a good story but the simple matter of truth is what is important and that dimension appears to have been lost.’ For her part Ms Dell’Olio – who is usually voracious for publicity – is remaining uncharacteristically silent. The 52-year-old flew to Italy yesterday and has so far refused to comment on the matter. Friends believe she would have liked a relationship but has persuaded herself that it is not possible because of ‘the Establishment’. One pal said: ‘In her mind Mark is a member of the British Royal Family. She told me, “It’s not Mark, it’s the Establishment, they can’t allow it. I’m too unique for them.”’
In an interview last week, Eriksson took a dig at Ms Dell’Olio, telling a Swedish newspaper she was only interested in status. ‘I used to tell her that she wouldn’t have been as interested in me had I been a plumber,’ he said. ‘She didn’t like that.’