EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Will Dalai Lama make the Coronation guest list?

EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Will Dalai Lama make the King’s Coronation guest list?

Seven months before the Coronation, King Charles has been working on his guest list and is keen to involve representatives of all faiths – including the Dalai Lama. But will Rishi Sunak veto the Tibetan spiritual leader’s attendance in order not to offend China? 

His Holiness is an old friend of Charles and was once photographed holding his hand in the Clarence House garden. The King may have an ally in Cabinet. Home Secretary Suella Braverman is the first Buddhist to hold one of the great offices of state – and she always likes to get her way.

Seven months before the Coronation, King Charles has been working on his guest list and is keen to involve representatives of all faiths – including the Dalai Lama

Stung by criticism for only visiting the England team and not the Welsh pre-Qatar, the Prince of Wales sent a consolation prize of a signed tweet of support in Welsh. 

William has been president of the English FA since 2006 and his World Cup embarrassment could have been prevented if Kate, as widely expected, had been appointed patron of the Welsh FA in succession to the Queen in time.

BBC Panorama editor Steve Hewlett accused reporter Tom Mangold of being jealous of Martin Bashir’s interview with Diana when he inquired about Bashir’s use of forged documents to dupe the princess. Mangold makes the claim in The Critic magazine, accusing the BBC of covering up Bashir’s behaviour. ‘So the Big Lie was born,’ he writes. 

Stung by criticism for only visiting the England team and not the Welsh pre-Qatar, the Prince of Wales sent a consolation prize of a signed tweet of support in Welsh

‘Within days the huge BBC press office was ordered to spread the calumny.’ Hewlett – who died in 2017 – was the only person who knew the full truth about Bashir, Mangold claims. He adds: ‘The complete absence of any reports about how he handled Bashir remains the biggest scandal of all.’

Strictly’s princess Claudia Winkleman, pictured, recalls her first commission from the BBC

Strictly’s princess Claudia Winkleman, pictured, recalls her first commission from the BBC. ‘I phoned my dad and I was crying and he was crying. I said, ‘I have got a job at the BBC’. 

He was like, ‘It has all been worthwhile.’ I said I am doing a three-part documentary series on BBC Three. He said, ‘Stop. What is it called?’ I said, ‘It is called Toilets’.’ 

She’s been flushed with success ever since!

King Charles’s foie gras ban would not have impressed diarist Chips Channon. The third volume of his memoirs includes seven indexed references to his consumption of the delicacy, including a ball with ‘so much foie gras from Strasbourg that there cannot be a goose left in all of Alsace’.

What accolade awaits Jeremy Paxman as he records his last University Challenge? Short-listed for Oldie of the Year, he has been pipped to the post by Paddington Bear. Will Paxo turn up at today’s awards lunch at the National Liberal Club to accept his consolation prize of Cuddly Rottweiler of the Year?

Joy at The Guardian as Rishi Sunak is revealed to be registered with a private GP practice. All the newspaper’s journalists are offered free private healthcare with the option of adding spouses and dependents. Pot and kettle anyone?

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