SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Out of a job, the author whose revelations left Prince Charles rattled 

By Sebastian Shakespeare for the Daily Mail

Published: 19:41 EST, 5 April 2015 | Updated: 04:44 EST, 6 April 2015

Catherine Mayer’s recent biography of the Prince of Wales — suggesting he was hellbent on meddling in politics as king — caused such a stir at Clarence House, it prompted Charles’s private secretary to make an unprecedented public statement dismissing it as ‘ill-informed speculation’.

So it’s interesting to learn that nearly two months after it was serialised, the fallout from the book — called Charles: The Heart Of A King — may still be being played out.

Mayer is quietly parting company with her long-term employer Time, the U.S. magazine where she has worked for the past ten years, most recently as editor at large.

Catherine Mayer (pictured with Prince Charles) recently wrote a biography on him, which suggested he was hellbent on peddling in politics as king

Catherine Mayer (pictured with Prince Charles) recently wrote a biography on him, which suggested he was hellbent on peddling in politics as king

Colleagues are surprised by the timing of her departure, not least as she had rushed to finish the book before the run-up to the General Election while still carrying out her duties on the magazine. It prompts the inevitable query as to whether her exit was entirely voluntary.

Confirming her departure, Mayer tells me: ‘I’d rather not comment. It’s not something I’m particularly keen on talking about. I’ve got lots of plans, but I don’t want to announce them.’

Among the claims made in the book — scornfully dubbed ‘so-called revelations’ by an unnamed Palace aide — was that Charles was an anguished figure who would be unable to resist airing his political views when monarch.

She also claimed that Clarence House had been dubbed ‘Wolf Hall’ because of turf wars between rival courtiers.

Mayer is quietly parting company with her long-term employer Time, the U.S. magazine where she has worked for the past ten years, most recently as editor at large

Mayer is quietly parting company with her long-term employer Time, the U.S. magazine where she has worked for the past ten years, most recently as editor at large

However, Mayer’s credibility was quickly challenged, with Charles’s head of communications, Kristina Kyriacou, announcing: ‘It is not an official book. The author did not have the access as claimed.’

Mayer later clarified she had one ‘on-the-record conversation’ with the Prince as well as being ‘on the margins of various events’. She insisted: ‘I never said I conducted multiple interviews with Charles.’

Previously Time’s Europe editor and then London bureau chief, American-born Mayer first came to prominence when she was granted a brief congenial interview with the heir to the throne in 2013, in which she generously portrayed him as a passionate philanthropist committed to making the most of his privileges.

 

Couture Countess calls Kate 'dowdy' 

Society milliner Judy Bentinck — who holds the title of Countess of Portland — created at least 30 couture hats for guests at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011.

But like author Margaret Atwood — who recently claimed Kate was an ‘uneventful’ dresser — Judy, wife of The Archers star Tim Bentinck, says she is disappointed with the Duchess’s wardrobe.

Society milliner Judy Bentinck created at least 30 couture hats for guests at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011

Society milliner Judy Bentinck created at least 30 couture hats for guests at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding in 2011

‘I do think when she’s had the baby it would be nice to see her in younger, more flamboyant fashion,’ she told me at the launch of her husband’s new children’s book, Colin The Camper Van.

‘Catherine is a lovely girl with gorgeous hair but she’s in danger of looking dowdy.

‘It would be nice to enhance her youth and beauty. I fear since her marriage — through no fault of her own — she is looking too conservative and fuddy-duddy at the moment.’

I suspect that’s Judy’s future chances of a royal warrant well and truly scuppered.

 

MPs little earner 

Alan Johnson has declined repeated invitations to return to the Labour front bench, saying he is happier on the backbenches. He’s certainly richer.

The latest register of members’ interests shows the likeable ex-postie has just collected £32,000 in royalties from the publisher of his recent memoir. He also received £2,000 to make a short speech in the City in February.

But he’d happily swap his moolah-making activities for a Cabinet perch should (Gawd help us) Ed Miliband enter No 10 next month. ‘Just so long as there’s no heavy lifting,’ says a source.

Alan Johnson has declined repeated invitations to return to the Labour front bench, saying he is happier on the backbenches

Alan Johnson has declined repeated invitations to return to the Labour front bench, saying he is happier on the backbenches

 

Hats off to the late Duke of Marlborough’s nephew Alexander Spencer-Churchill, who is engaged to girl-about-town Scarlett Strutt. Ali, an uncomplicated sort who once squired Pippa Middleton, popped the question in Barbados over the weekend. Under a pic of Scarlett’s new sparkler on Instagram, Ali wrote: ‘That deal is done!!!!!!’ Chivalrous fellow. 

 

Dull-dog former Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Keir Starmer, parachuted in as Labour candidate for safe-as-houses Holborn, refuses to use his title in campaign literature. He says: ‘When I was DPP, everyone called me “director”, and I said, “Please don’t call me ‘director’ — call me Keir Starmer.” It’s a very similar battle now.’ Battle? I fear moaning Sir Keir’s inevitable arrival in the Commons may not be the same ‘up-by-his-bootstraps’ tale endured by some of his comrades. 

 
Nick Clegg has quit smoking and is getting himself into shape on the tennis court ahead of the General Election

Nick Clegg has quit smoking and is getting himself into shape on the tennis court ahead of the General Election

Nick Clegg is in fighting shape for the General Election, busily getting himself fit on the tennis court. He’s even quit the fags.

‘I’ve given up. I’m on these vapers,’ he tells GQ magazine, referring to the smokeless electronic devices used for inhaling nicotine.

Considering the drubbing that awaits the Liberal Democrats, frankly it’s a mercy dear old Cleggy’s not chuffing back crack cocaine . . .

 

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