Two-finger typist, occasional journalist & royal panjandrum. Founder & Emeritus Trustee, @geddestrust. Under another hat, novelist @TPFielden1

Joined July 2014
You're absolutely right, of course, Richard - like the Windsors they'll always be there gnawing away at the edge. I just feel they are borrowing from the Donald Trump playbook - maintain chaos at all times - and editors are putty in their hands
I mentioned before that media interest may wane or at least settle down but, as with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, I think there’s always going to be a level of interest in the break with the institution and how that affects family relationships.
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Whatever the Sussexes put out gets reported as fact, sometimes with little or no checks made before printing or broadcasting. That's a dangerous slip of standards unworthy of Fleet St and the UK broadcast media
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Greatest respect, Richard, that's not enough. They've proved themselves utterly untrustworthy and the sooner MSM gives them a well-earned rest, the sooner the rocking boat will be stabilised
Cynics may disagree but the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do seem serious about reconciling with the Royal Family. They are prepared to apologise if necessary and will not undertake public charity visits while the King and William are abroad on trips. inews.co.uk/news/hidden-thre…
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Christopher Wilson retweeted
The phrase should be defined. It means you represent the head of state. If you do not, and act as if you do, you are committing a fraud that endangers the reputation of Britain’s head of state and of our government abroad. Please do this @thetimes
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Christopher Wilson retweeted
BREAKING: Billionaire Sir Richard Branson unleashes a SCORCHING attack on Trump and his disgusting cozying up to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that gets under Trump's skin... "I thought I’d never have to say this in my lifetime, but this is 2026, and sadly nothing is what it used to be," Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, wrote on LinkedIn. "The Trump administration has become an appeaser to autocrats and dictators, putting their personal whims before the best interests of the American people and those of the free world. What is it about Putin that President Trump fawns over?" "How will America’s allies ever be able to trust this administration again when they are now turning against them at a time of war and suffering?" he asked. Trump has repeatedly betrayed our Ukrainian allies in recent days. First, he announced a stunning deal with Putin to allow millions of barrels of diesel into the global markets, a move that will directly pump money into the Russian war machine. Then, he began a concerted smear campaign against President Zelenskyy and said that Putin is easier to deal with. The backstabbing escalated when Washington failed to provide its usual early warning to Kyiv of an incoming Russian ballistic missile attack. Now, it appears that the White House ordered a temporary disruption of Starshield, a military version of Elon Musk's Starlink that the Ukrainian armed forces rely upon. "The slowdown of Starlink/Starshield and the inexplicable lack of advance warning of Russian missile launches have already caused Ukrainian civilians to die unnecessarily," wrote Branson. "How much worse can it get?" "If one thing is clear it’s that European leaders must overcome the initial shock about Trump’s recent actions and step up to the plate. It’s as much about Europe’s freedom as it is about Ukraine’s sovereignty. Both are worth fighting for," he continued. "All options should be on the table now, from the transfer of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to the delivery of advanced weapons systems such as Germany’s Taurus." "Why oh why is this happening? We cannot let the free world be dismantled before our very eyes," Branson concluded. We couldn't agree more. Trump is an enemy to Ukraine, an enemy to democracy, and an enemy to the American people. When Democrats retake power, we have our work cut out for us. Every last trace of this monstrous man's legacy must be erased. Please ❤️ and share if you think that Trump is Putin's puppet!
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Do read, if you can find it, A Book Of Food by P Morton Shand [1927]. So incredibly sharp about English food, and occasionally hilarious. Author was the present queen's grandfather
My husband and I were talking about the history of food and he comes out with, “Why do you think English cuisine is what it is. It’s based on what the lords would allow them to eat and WWII rations.” And I can’t stop thinking about it.
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Journalists at the BBC in need of a severe rap on the knuckles. There's nothing 'official' about the Sussex visit. Playing into their narrative diminishes the national broadcaster, worse it makes them look like numpties bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6ge…
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Everywhere I hear the sound Of marching, charging feet, boy 'Cause summer's here and the time is right For fighting in the street, boy
Replying to @TheWislon
Was on the main march today, and it's touching how many showed up to-relive the glory days, Christopher. It was on the Left Bank, so they criss-crossed the Boul’Mich, were tear-gassed around Montparno, fought the CRS etc...Plus ça change !
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Furs
BAG FORCE ONE 🛄 boards after Trump. Susie Wiles, Katie Zacharia, Natalie Harp and Walt with Two Bag carriers🤣🤣🤣 Have to wonder...What's in all those bags. 🤔
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Oh yes
Infamous some evenings. Pit stop for the Blackfriars express. Each way.
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I'm awaiting a similar character endorsement from Andrina Colquhoun, the personal assistant Archer proposed marriage to while married to Mary - and dumped the moment he got the sniff of Tory high office.
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This is 24 carat spin. The King's allowance made to AMW will go into his bank account regardless, he can spend it any way he likes. If BP spox had said 'by prior agreement it cannot not be used for legal, etc' that would be a different matter
The King has made clear his private money wont fund AMW's legal battles. Anyone else like to see it made clear that taxpayers wont fund the security of private citizens who attacked Britain and its core institution of Monarchy?King tells Andrew: I won’t fund your legal battle telegraph.co.uk/royal-family…
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A wonderful discovery, and still a largely unknown tale. My own contribution to the Archer legend was going to his childhood corner shop where they still called him Tuppence, as in his cry 'Anything for Tuppence?' His mum borrowed the name for her weekly col in a local rag
Greatest Archer story of all - as I told in Sun Times last month - was American sister Rosemary, who married post-war US senator Brien McMahon (D-Conn), US presidential contender 1952 & died just after Democrat convention. Rosemary said to be among DC's "Most Beautiful Women"
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"Champagne for the brain" 🥳
Highly rec’d The Standard of Living @TRH_London - about the economist and Bloomsbury Group member John Maynard Keynes. He saved our economy, Impressionist paintings, founded the Arts Council - and fell for a ballerina. Champagne for the brain with Rory Kinnear, dir by Hytner.
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If you can't bring yourself to read the entire 400 pages of Charles Spencer's 'Swan Song', this cool, unbiased, knowledgable and elegantly written review by @JohannaTC in @TheTimes brilliantly sums it all up. Without the flak thetimes.com/culture/books/a…
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Distinguished performance by @hardmanr in understandably difficult circumstances. Chapeau!
Another chat with GBNews - and @CamillaTominey is not buying the #Spencer “giddy elation” narrative either. xitter.cf/gbnews/status/21015965…
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Zac Goldsmith is the brother of Jemima Goldsmith, one of Princess Diana's closest friends
If his stories were even partially true, he’d have blurted them years ago when the feelings were raw. He certainly wouldn’t have waited 30 years. No. He’s cashing in his dead sister, who he treated appallingly in her hour of need.
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