EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Why did the Queen NOT Charles meet Russian religious leader?

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen meets the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, next week. Visiting religious leaders are usually received by Prince Charles. Why not on this occasion? Might it be because Kirill, 69, is an ally of (not to say apologist for) Russia's pugnacious president, Vladimir Putin? Charles publicly compared Putin to Adolf Hitler over the annexation of Crimea. So Kirill won't have wanted to be received by him.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen meets the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, next week

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the Queen meets the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, next week

 

Re the Prince of Wales, he and Camilla open their new catering venture today – the Rothesay Rooms restaurant, formerly the old Co-op at Ballater, Aberdeenshire. They're fondly known as Basil and Sybil (after the Fawlty Towers hoteliers) by locals.

Charles and Camilla open their new catering venture today ¿ the Rothesay Rooms restaurant

Charles and Camilla open their new catering venture today – the Rothesay Rooms restaurant

 

Alan Sugar, 69, of The Apprentice fame, inquires of perky Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman, 44: 'Who sprays Claudia Winkleman's face? She looks like an Outspan orange.' Adonis-like Sugar should avoid criticising those less lovely than himself.

Danish-born presenter Sandi Toksvig, 58, as new host of the BBC television show QI, wants to know why she is paid less than her predecessor, Stephen Fry, 59, telling Radio Times: 'I challenge you to ask the BBC.' They did but got no answer. It's because they regard Fry as a bigger star, presumably.

'Who sprays Claudia Winkleman's face? She looks like an Outspan orange'
Alan Sugar, 69, of The Apprentice fame, inquires of perky Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman, 44

'Who sprays Claudia Winkleman's face? She looks like an Outspan orange.' Alan Sugar, right on the Strictly Come Dancing presenter

 

Discussing his new novel, Conclave, in front of an audience at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, important novelist Robert Harris had a call on his mobile from his wife, Gill. Her news? EastEnders actress Tameka Empson had been voted off Strictly Come Dancing.

 

When BBC presenter Andrew Marr interviewed rosy-cheeked Tory veteran Ken Clarke on his Sunday breakfast show they clutched glasses of red wine. 'Why are Ken Clarke and Andrew Marr drinking wine for breakfast?' inquired a viewer. Because the interview was pre-recorded during the week. Clarke, 76, says he's had a drink 'every day' since he left school.

When BBC presenter Andrew Marr interviewed rosy-cheeked Tory veteran Ken Clarke on his Sunday breakfast show they clutched glasses of red wine

When BBC presenter Andrew Marr interviewed rosy-cheeked Tory veteran Ken Clarke on his Sunday breakfast show they clutched glasses of red wine

 

Jeremy Paxman's memoir having had mixed reviews, might it suffer the fate of his 1985 travel book, Through The Volcanoes? He recalls sitting 'in awkward silence' at a book-signing event while the queue to buy copies of a rival volume by the Beverley Sisters singing stars 'stretched down the stairs and out of the front door of the shop'. 

An elderly lady asked what his book was about. 'Central America'. How many copies had he sold? 'None'. She said: 'Ah, bless, I'll take one. I suppose I might find someone I can give it to.'

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