As Shakespeare said, some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em. Prince Philip was in a sense all three, a man born into the Greek royal family yet denied his birthright; someone who had to work hard to carve out his status in life; …
Read More »DOMINIC SANDBROOK: An unapologetic celebration of royal pageantry and patriotism
Great royal occasions — and make no mistake, the funeral of Prince Philip was a very great occasion indeed — are always charged with historical meaning. For the senior members of the House of Windsor, this was above all a poignant personal farewell. I defy even the most strident republican …
Read More »ANNA MIKHAILOVA: Because we’re worth it… L’Oreal defends £1million furlough claim
L’Oreal has pocketed nearly £1m in British taxpayer cash – despite making billions in profits during the pandemic. New figures from HM Revenue & Customs reveal the global cosmetic giant was given ‘£500,000 to £1m’ in furlough money in December and January alone – and continues to claim. And while …
Read More »AMANDA PLATELL: Prince Philip dies at 99
At times of grief, it is our close family we turn to for comfort and consolation. One can only imagine the wretchedness Prince Harry must have felt receiving that dreaded phone call telling him the terrible news that his grandfather had died. So helpless. So far away. So isolated from …
Read More »SARAH VINE: If Meghan Markle was wrong about the wedding, how can we believe anything else?
Truth, we are told, is central to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Indeed, it was supposedly the desire for truth that drove them to give that explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey, broadcast just over two weeks ago. ‘How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth …
Read More »ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: I know the efforts aides made to make Meghan welcome. She didn’t want their help
Before the Duke and Duchess of Sussex married, a professional creative, well used to the intricacies and diplomacy involved in working with Royal households, was interviewed for a role by Meghan. A mutual friend ran into the candidate immediately after the interview and asked excitedly how the experience had been. …
Read More »ANDREW PIERCE: Lindsay Hoyle’s royal approval for flying the flag
For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Commonwealth Day service in Westminster Abbey, attended by the Queen, the Prime Minister and faith leaders, has been cancelled. But I’m told Her Majesty is delighted that the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, is flying the flag for the Commonwealth, which she …
Read More »SARAH VINE: Vilified by the armies of woke… for being a woman
Last week, the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust proudly announced that, as part of a new policy designed to address ‘health inequalities’ for ‘marginalised and disadvantaged groups’, use of the word ‘mother’ is to be replaced by more ‘inclusive’ terminology. Thus its maternity services will henceforth be known …
Read More »JOHN HUMPHRYS: Look out Boris, PM Rishi Sunak may be Britain’s destiny all too soon
Some weeks ago I thought it might be helpful to paint a picture in these pages of what this country could look like in a few years’ time. Think Back To The Future if you like. My imaginary hero was not a mad professor creating a time-travelling DeLorean car, but …
Read More »The royal stroll that has split Britain
When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were photographed enjoying an impromptu get-together with Edward and Sophie at the weekend, naturally eyebrows were raised. As a group of nine they were, or appeared to be, breaking the Rule of Six outdoors in Tier 2. Some felt it was a bad …
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