SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Royal charity splits with Charles's 'Steel Magnolia' divorce lawyer

By Sebastian Shakespeare for the Daily Mail

Published: 20:31 EDT, 14 April 2017 | Updated: 20:34 EDT, 14 April 2017

Divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, 60, has parted company with the charitable foundation run by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

Divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, 60, has parted company with the charitable foundation run by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

Sharp-toothed divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton was dubbed the ‘Steel Magnolia’ after securing Prince Charles a divorce settlement in which Princess Diana lost her HRH title.

Now, however, Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia is the subject of a royal split herself. I can reveal that she has parted company with the charitable foundation run by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Lady Shackleton, 60, who memorably had a glass of water thrown over her by a furious Heather Mills during her divorce from Sir Paul McCartney, had been a trustee of the Royal Foundation since it was established in 2009.

‘It’s the end of an era,’ a courtier tells me. ‘William, Catherine and Harry are keen to shape the foundation in their own image, and Fiona is very much the Prince of Wales’s era.’ 

As part of the radical shake-up, the foundation recently appointed Demetra Pinsent, 42, the glamorous wife of Olympic rowing hero Sir Matthew Pinsent, to its board of directors.

A courtier told me at the time that the appointment of Lady Pinsent, who is chief executive of make-up company Charlotte Tilbury Beauty, was ‘very significant’. 

Lady Shackleton is not the only major departure from the foundation, which was established to distribute money to 26 causes ‘close to the hearts’ of William and Harry, focusing on the military, young people and conservation.

The Princes’ senior adviser Sir David Manning, who was Tony Blair’s foreign policy aide in the run-up to the Iraq War, has also stepped down. Like Shackleton, he was on the board since the charity’s creation.

Baroness Shackleton has been a trustee of the Royal Foundation since it was established in 2009. ‘It’s the end of an era,’ a courtier tells me. ‘William, Catherine and Harry are keen to shape the foundation in their own image'

Baroness Shackleton has been a trustee of the Royal Foundation since it was established in 2009. ‘It’s the end of an era,’ a courtier tells me. ‘William, Catherine and Harry are keen to shape the foundation in their own image'

Lady Shackleton (right), a partner at the law firm Payne Hicks Beach, acted as Charles’s personal solicitor until 2005, and continues to work with William and Harry on their legal affairs.

‘I like sticking up for people and making sure they are not taken advantage of,’ she has said in the past. ‘It helps to have a rod of steel through your back.’

As soon as Kate Middleton married into the Royal Family, William and Harry added her title to their foundation — and the ‘Kate effect’ duly saw donations soar. Money has continued to roll in, with income rising to a staggering £4.28 million in 2015.

A spokesman says Lady Shackleton and Sir David stepped down from the board in line with ‘normal governance standards’.

However, its rules make clear that its trustees can be reappointed annually ‘without limitation’.

 

Fans feel they can confide in Bill Nighy, who plays a jaded film star opposite Gemma Arterton’s screenwriter in World War II film Their Finest. 

‘A man came up and asked if he could take a picture of me with his wife,’ the actor says at the BFI Southbank premiere. 

‘I said: “Yes,” and afterwards the man said: “You look a lot better with your clothes on.”’ Nighy, who admits he is relaxed wearing nothing at home, didn’t inquire further as to just how the man knew. 

 

Mentioning no names... 

Which controversial Tory donor was enjoying the services of ‘a house of ill repute’ a couple of nights ago in London’s Pimlico, leaving his black Rolls-Royce — complete with personalised number plate — parked right outside? 

 

House of Cards author's son to wed tennis coach 

House of Cards creator Michael Dobbs, whose books inspired the hit Netflix series in which a U.S. president (played by Kevin Spacey) battles with his wife for power, has another politically minded couple on the brain.

This time it’s the Tory peer’s own son, financier William, 29, who has become engaged to Lucy West, 32, a spritely tennis coach from Lincolnshire.

‘I’m very interested in politics,’ Lucy tells me. ‘Will and I agree on most things, but his opinions are stronger than mine, and his knowledge is greater. I’m hoping I can catch up.’ She adds, diplomatically: ‘I’ve read several of Michael’s books and I’m an avid watcher of House Of Cards.’

 

Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon has a sideline for when the loony Leftie Corbyn project collapses. 

He’s making a guest appearance on a ditty by heavy metal rock group Dream Troll. ‘After work, it was great to get stuck in to writing and recording,’ the MP tells his Leeds constituents. 

‘The track I’m guesting on has a working title of Omen Habet Montem — Latin for Ominous Mountain!’ 

That sounds more like the obstacle in the way of Labour winning an election. 

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