EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: King Charles ‘is reassured Prince Andrew has no plans to rehabilitate his image by writing a book: In return the monarch pledges to help with Royal Lodge repairs’

Has King Charles finally drawn a line under the Andrew imbroglio? A senior mole confides that, at the recent Balmoral family gathering, the King received assurances that Andrew had no intention – despite it oft being reported – of trying to rehabilitate his image by writing a book or doing a lucrative deal for a biopic, and as far as he was concerned the Virginia Giuffre affair was ‘done and dusted’. 

And while playing a full part in family events, he will have no role in official duties. In return, the King has settled an annual allowance for him from his own resources and pledged assistance with repairs to Andrew’s home, Royal Lodge. His Majesty has, says the source, mellowed somewhat since his mother’s passing and is more inclined to accept Andrew’s defence that he is innocent until proven otherwise.

Indications of the burgeoning anti-Royal sentiments in Australia emerge with confirmation that the Sydney Opera House wasn’t lit up for King Charles’s Coronation because of political opposition. Initially, Chris Minns, the premier of New South Wales, claimed that illuminating the iconic building for Charles would be too expensive. 

It was, however, lit specially for Indian leader Narendra Modi’s visit. Internal government emails dispute Minns’ claim of a £50,000 cost, stating that his decision not to mark the first crowning of an Australian monarch in more than 50 years was ‘political’. With 60 per cent of Aussies supporting Charles’s replacement with a president, might the King summon his travelling yeoman and pay a rallying visit Down Under?

Saoirse Ronan has achieved her ambition of starring alongside fellow Hibernian Paul Mescal, playing his wife in the forthcoming sci-fi flick Foe. Paul plays a farmer-turned-spaceman, while Saoirse is his earthbound wife, making do with an AI version of him. Saoirse, pictured, has been a long-time admirer saying: ‘The first time I saw Paul act was in a commercial for Denny’s Irish sausages. He’ll kill me for mentioning it, but that was the first time I went: ‘Oh who’s that guy? He’s really good.’

Saoirse Ronan has achieved her ambition of starring alongside fellow Hibernian Paul Mescal , playing his wife in the forthcoming sci-fi flick Foe (File Photo)

After Billions star Damian Lewis bluntly describes the hit TV drama as a ‘show about a***holes’, perky daytime telly host Lorraine Kelly awkwardly explains: ‘I’ve just been told we have to apologise for you saying a-hole.’ Old Etonian Lewis replies: ‘I apologise to everyone at ITV, to everybody watching. I’m well brought up really.’ 

Fiery Location, Location, Location TV show presenter Kirstie Allsopp disapprovingly tweets from her lavish Notting Hill abode: ‘Whichever neighbour of ours that starts the day with a spliff… I can smell it in our kitchen if the window is open. I hope they are not operating heavy machinery.’