EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Was King Charles too busy to talk to Archbishop Welby when he sought permission to resign final week?

Was King Charles too busy to speak to Archbishop Welby when he sought permission to resign last week? 

He did call HM but was fobbed off with a flunkey. Apparently, the King was devastated by the Makin Report into John Smyth and was in no mood to converse.

And when is the prelate actually leaving? He appears to be in no hurry to hang up his mitre stating in his resignation announcement: ‘Exact timings will be decided once a review of necessary obligations has been completed.’ 

Could his departure end up running into his planned retirement date due to be announced next year?

Was King Charles too busy to speak to Archbishop Welby (pictured) when he sought permission to resign last week? He did call HM but was fobbed off with a flunkey

Apparently, the King (pictured) was devastated by the Makin Report into John Smyth and was in no mood to converse

Justin’s downfall has set the cat among the pigeons at the BBC

A source whispers of heated debate about whether the Archbishop of Canterbury’s annual address to the nation, aired on New Year’s Day, should go ahead. 

Some feel Welby should get the chance to have his say although others counter it would be like giving Prince Andrew a platform. 

Both men had blind eyes when it came to the sins of close friends. Others have suggested Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, stand in although he, too, is now battling to save his own mitre. 

Those keen to axe the annual sermon might seize their chance.

Justin’s downfall has set the cat among the pigeons at the BBC. A source whispers of heated debate about whether the Archbishop of Canterbury’s annual address to the nation, aired on New Year’s Day, should go ahead

Any chance of the Irish Tourist Board hiring Bad Sisters actress Eve Hewson, daughter of Bono, to promote her native land has surely vanished. 

Complaining in Radio Times about the weather, Eve says: ‘It’s always really cold and rainy, we had four hurricanes. 

That’s the main challenge about shooting in Ireland – the weather is atrocious.’ Well, her dad did caterwaul: ‘Take me to the clouds above!’ 

Any chance of the Irish Tourist Board hiring Bad Sisters actress Eve Hewson (pictured), daughter of Bono, to promote her native land has surely vanished

The King will be unamused with the theft of farm machinery on the Windsor estate. 

 Last year, animal rights campaigners purloined three of the King’s lambs from Sandringham which, a source reports, sent him into a ‘meltdown’.

It prompted the King to order another security review of farms and other livestock endeavours from the Royal Stud through to the royal pigeon loft. 

Stealing sheep is no longer a capital offence but the latest attack of the footpads could see, at the very least, deputy heads rolling.

Farm machinery was stolen from the Windsor estate on October 13. Pictured: Windsor Castle

For his last inauguration, Donald Trump opted to use two copies of the Bible – the Lincoln Bible, first used in 1861, and a copy given to him by his mother. 

 This time he might use his own brand. After the success of his $399 Never Surrender golden trainers, Trump published a leather-bound King James Bible.

 He might be unable to resist promoting it, surely a bargain at $59.99 (£47). 

Donald Trump chose to use two copies of the Bible for his last inauguration. He used the Lincoln Bible, first used in 1861, and a copy given to him by his mother

Joining farmers protesting against the Government in London yesterday, Jeremy Clarkson could be bracing himself to go down on one knee to receive an honour from Charles and Camilla. 

The reason? The Queen’s son Tom Parker Bowles reveals his mother has a soft spot for him. ‘Mum’s a big fan of Clarkson’s Farm,’ he says. Arise, Sir Diddly Squat!