The King is reportedly frustrated at his inability to get involved in soothing the national unrest.
Rebuilding broken communities was one of his specialisms as Prince of Wales, when he was able to summon ministers.
But as King, he must channel all dealings with government via the PM.
After the 2011 Tottenham riots, local MP and now Foreign Secretary David Lammy recalled: ‘Several national figures showed up for a photo-op in Tottenham in the days after but never came back. Prince Charles returned five times. In some ways, he has done more for my constituents than most politicians.’
King Charles, pictured last month, is reportedly frustrated at his inability to get involved in soothing the national unrest
Far-right activists hold an ‘Enough is Enough’ protest on August 2, 2024 in Sunderland, England after the murders of three girls in Southport
After the 2011 Tottenham riots, local MP and now Foreign Secretary David Lammy (pictured in 2023) recalled: ‘Several national figures showed up for a photo-op in Tottenham in the days after but never came back. Prince Charles returned five times. In some ways, he has done more for my constituents than most politicians’
Prime Minister and Lady Starmer are invited to Balmoral
Sir Keir Starmer has received an invitation to a weekend at Balmoral.
Most of his predecessors stayed one night, but what if he and Lady Starmer opt to arrive on Friday?
The PM keeps this night of the week special so the family can observe the Sabbath meal, as Lady Starmer is Jewish.
The King, keen on embracing all faiths – who made Rishi Sunak feel at home by observing Hindu traditions – will no doubt facilitate Lady Starmer.
Sir Keir Starmer, pictured in 2022 with his wife Lady Victoria, has received an invitation to a weekend at Balmoral
Lord Patten ‘surely still seething’ over smear attempt
How will retiring Oxford University chancellor Lord Patten feel should Lord Mandelson succeed him?
The former governor of Hong Kong is surely still seething over the Labour grandee’s 2010 attempt to smear him, alleging that Patten faced prosecution for leaking state secrets.
Lord Patten, (pictured in 2017) the former governor of Hong Kong, is surely still seething over Lord Mandelson’s 2010 attempt to smear him, alleging that Patten faced prosecution for leaking state secrets
BBC political reporter Lance Price said at the time that Mandelson told him ‘off the record’ the story was true.
The BBC broadcast the claim – which turned out to be an attempt to deflect attention from then foreign secretary Robin Cook’s affair with his secretary Gaynor Regan, and Patten accused Mandy of ‘mendacity’.
Townshend laughed at Clapton’s attempt to court Ann-Margret
Eric Clapton’s bid to woo Ann-Margret was the subject of laughter when the actress, who starred in The Who’s 1975 film Tommy, caught up with Pete Townshend.
‘Eric was banging her door in the middle of the night,’ Pete recalls. ‘He was drunk and Ann-Margret came out looking spectacularly sexy, and said, “What do you want?” Clapton sheepishly replied: “A cup of sugar?”‘
Eric Clapton’s bid to woo Ann-Margret (pictured) was the subject of laughter when the actress, who starred in The Who’s 1975 film Tommy, caught up with Pete Townshend
Trampolinist set to smash the snootiness of the honours committee
Olympic gold medal-winning trampolinist Bryony Page looks set to smash the perceived snootiness of the honours committee.
It’s no coincidence that ‘proper sports’ such as football, cricket, sailing, rugby and equestrianism dominate sporting honours – the sorts of things the mandarins enjoy.
Olympic gold medal-winning trampolinist Bryony Page (pictured at the 2024 Paris games) looks set to smash the perceived snootiness of the honours committee
Other sports aren’t treated so indulgently, which explains why Bryony, who has been world and European champion several times and a medallist at the last two Olympics, hasn’t received an MBE.
Her win should prompt the honours unit to give out its first trampolining gong.
The Spectator’s review of David Baddiel’s memoir, in which he pokes fun at his mother Sarah’s bearded, pipe-smoking lover, concludes with the warning: ‘Do not commit adultery with the mother of a future comedian’. Pictured: David Baddiel in 2021
Baddiel memoir serves as ‘adultery’ warning
The Spectator’s review of David Baddiel‘s memoir, in which he pokes fun at his mother Sarah’s bearded, pipe-smoking lover, concludes with the warning: ‘Do not commit adultery with the mother of a future comedian.’