Having made headlines in the summer of 2021 after notably missing daughter Lady Kitty’s wedding to retail millionaire Michael Lewis (more than 30 years older than the bride), Earl Spencer’s relationship with his eldest offspring, pictured, thankfully appears back on track.

In the wake of Spencer’s absence from Kitty’s nuptials in Italy, it was claimed the father and daughter’s relationship had “cooled” since the Earl’s own 2011 wedding to third spouse, Canadian Karen Gordon.

While he’s now embroiled in bitter divorce proceedings with Karen, I can more happily report that Princess Diana’s brother has recently been embracing his role as adoring grandfather to Kitty’s first child Athena, who turns two this spring.

Daughter of fellow model Victoria Aitken, divorced from the Earl in 1997, does Kitty approve of her smitten father’s current girlfriend Dr Cat Jarman, just eight years her senior?

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Bonding with the King courtesy of his admirable crusade to tackle knife crime by youths, don’t be surprised to hear news of “Sir Idris Elba” in the not too distant future.

With the Luther star previously awarded the OBE “for services to drama” in 2016, I gather an upgrade is deemed on the cards in recognition of the actor’s ongoing campaign. Royal links were recently further enhanced when Idris chose to be represented by His Majesty’s former long-time adviser, Eva Omaghomi.

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The annual sporting rivalry between the Prince and Princess of Wales recommences with the beginning of this year’s Six Nations rugby championship.

While William has been a Welsh rugby patron for 18 years, Kate took over from estranged brother-in-law Harry as patron of England in 2022.

Young Prince George has so far been swayed towards supporting Wales by his father. Having attended Wales-England matches together in the past, it’s hoped Wills and Kate will be in Cardiff for the next clash in March.

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Now known to have helped Nigel Farage overcome his fear of snakes and spiders before the Reform leader’s successful stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, showbiz hypnotist Paul McKenna has in fact long proved useful.

I’m reminded that McKenna discreetly advised Brexiteers about their social media ads during the EU referendum campaign…

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Five months after the family of late Monty Python star Terry Jones announced plans for a statue of the comedian and director in his native Colwyn Bay, donations continue to slowly edge towards the £120,000 total required.

Still £6,000 short at the time of writing, wouldn’t it be fitting if Terry’s four surviving Python colleagues, squabbling over money matters of late, instead clubbed together to get this over the line?

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Soon appearing alongside husband and Succession actor Brian Cox in a West End production of new play The Score, the Scot’s third wife – German-born Nicole Ansari-Cox, pictured – remains determined to emerge from his shadow.

Insisting that her own acting career was compromised by committing her life to Brian (they have two sons), Nicole has been heard to pointedly remark: “I’ve supported him for 25 years. Now it’s my time.”

It remains to be seen whether the critics concur…