Prince William, keen to ditch the tradition of sprawling portfolios of royal patronages, is taking a forensic interest in a report from research body Giving Evidence. It shows when disgraced Andrew was forced to abandon his patronages, there was no financial difference recorded. A source reports William, keen to concentrate on a few causes of personal interest, believes this could be applied across the board.
Those on committees value royal connections for the garden party invitations, a visit once in a blue moon and the slight chance of an MBE, but whether it makes any difference to donations is now very doubtful. Seems that William, who has long-questioned the point of hundreds of patronages, might have been right all along.
Queen Camilla at Wimbledon this year. Ten years ago she was unimpressed to have Andy Murray’s wristband thrown at her when she was in the front row of the royal box
There can be advantages to a front row seat in Wimbledon’s royal box – other than the tennis. Ten years ago Andy Murray rashly celebrated a win by hurling his wristband in the direction of Queen Camilla. Unimpressed, she wrinkled her nose and eyed it with disgust but soon came up with a bright idea. She got Murray to sign it and then popped it on eBay to raise funds for an animal charity. It was sold for £2,100.
Well-nourished Health Secretary Wes Streeting, appearing on ITV’s This Morning, makes the mistake of mentioning presenter Ben Shephard’s topless display, saying: ‘I’m probably not going to be on the front of Men’s Health magazine in quite the way you were.’ Shephard declares: ‘I’ve just had a message from the editor of Men’s Health saying ‘You’re on! Wes Streeting, front cover’.’ The visibly-embarrassed politician replies: ‘Oh, God. You’ve stitched me right up. The office is going to love this.’
Streeting, taking on the BMA, might peruse the King’s 1982 speech from when he was elected president of the association. ‘I received a letter from a member of the medical profession who said his fellow members were pleased I was honouring them by accepting,’ Charles declared. ‘He ended by reminding me the initials BMA stand for BIGOTED MORIBUND and APATHETIC! I shall watch my step as carefully as I can.’
Andy Murray celebrated a win by hurling his wristband in the direction of Queen Camilla ten years ago. She got Murray to sign it and sold it on eBay for £2,100 to raise funds for charity
Looking back at Monty Python breaking up following lucrative reunion shows in London in 2014, Eric Idle takes aim at fellow member Sir Michael Palin, snapping: ‘Michael said he was sad to see us break up? He was the first to leave! He’s such a hypocrite… I can’t believe Michael said he was sad. He turned down the opportunity to do it in America, in Australia, in South Africa. He turned down $30million!’ Deep breaths, Eric.
Live Aid performer Nik Kershaw claims Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have never forgiven Phil Collins for his ‘not very clever’ drum playing in Philadelphia. ‘They have never released the Live Aid footage for Phil on the drums,’ says Kershaw ‘The 40-year grudge. It is a bit of a shame ain’t it?
