EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Keir who? No mention of British visitor

EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: The King and Queen’s Paris visit triggers much media excitement in France, but many outlets make no mention of another British visitor… Keir who?

The King and Queen’s Paris visit triggers much media excitement with forensic focus on details of the Palace of Versailles banquet, including a breathless disclosure that a 180ft-long bench will be used so every guest can sit at Charles’s table. 

But yesterday French media including France Inter, BFMTV and CNews contained no mention of another British visitor to President Macron. 

Keir who?

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer (R) attends a meeting in central Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron

With Harry and Meghan safely back in California it transpires that Charles took the blame for he and Harry not seeing each other on his son’s UK trip. 

Charles allowed a statement to be issued saying he was too busy. Sources report that Harry didn’t seek a meeting. 

His Majesty’s diary was quite empty that week and although Harry would have had to fly to Royal Deeside, there was plenty of time to meet up. It seems that Harry is not so adept on the diplomatic front as the King.

Pictured is Prince Harry attending the WellChild Awards 2023 held at The Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London, during his UK visit

Twelve years after Joanna Lumley was denied membership of the all-male Garrick Club she may have another opportunity to join. 

With barrister Michael Beloff reversing his legal opinion that women don’t qualify, could Joanna now lobby her friend the King? 

HM, like Prince Philip before him, is a member (although he might have kept that a secret from Camilla). 

A King’s Counsel’s opinion carries a lot of weight. A nod from Charles might secure the salmon and cucumber tie for Joanna.

How is Helen Mirren coping with the sexual assault allegations against her co-star and friend Russell Brand? 

After starring with him in the flop remake of Arthur in 2011, she declared: ‘In some other universe, down some black hole, Russell and I have had a relationship. Maybe we still are! I adore him.’ 

At least Helen has never validated Brand’s boast that she accepted a pair of his yellow underpants as he spouted: ‘Please accept them as a token of my erection, I mean affection’.

How is Helen Mirren coping with the sexual assault allegations against her co-star and friend Russell Brand? (Pictured together in Arthur)

Novelist Julian Barnes, mourning his friend Martin Amis who died in May describes Martin’s stylish final e-mail. 

‘I knew he didn’t want me to ask him how he was. So we had a kind of football email exchange: “What do you think of Arsenal this season?” and so on. At the end, I got an email saying, in effect, “Look after yourself, old friend.” I took that as it was intended, which was “Goodbye”.’

Gyles Brandreth recalls a boozy session with the late Jimmy Edwards followed by the bewhiskered Whack-O star appearing stark naked declaring: ‘It’s time to try my Swedish sauna!’ 

Gyles made his excuses citing Barbara Windsor’s description: ‘With Jim, you’ve got to understand, there’s a touch of the Tommy Two Ways.’

Whistling singer Roger Whittaker, who has died aged 87, believed in reincarnation. ‘I think you come back,’ he mused. 

‘I don’t know as what but I hope as a more advanced soul.’ 

Would being a whistling kettle in Durham Town do the trick Rog?

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