Royal divide over role for Princesses

By Richard Kay


For years, their relationship has been cordial rather than close. In private, Prince Charles would say of his younger brother Prince Andrew that ‘he wants to be me’.

While for his part Andrew would complain that Charles’s plans for a slimmed-down monarchy were targeted at him and his family.

Now there are signs of an intriguing rapprochement between the siblings - born more than 12 years apart - thanks to the friendship the Duchess of Cornwall has been showing towards Andrew’s daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie.

Rift: But Prince Charles (left) and his brother Prince Andrew are at least talking about their disagreement


‘Camilla has made a point of being nice to the two princesses at family events and Andrew is very grateful for that,’ I am told. However, one problem continues to divide the brothers: the thorny issue of what position the girls should have in royal life.

‘Andrew is very stubborn about this, just as he has been about them continuing to have police protection,’ explains a friend. ‘His view is that as the current working members of the family age, Beatrice and Eugenie - who are fifth and sixth in the line of succession - will be required to have roles.’

Charles is doubtful and supports those who believe the girls need to make their own way in the world.

Difficult position: Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are unsure of their roles in royal life

Senior aides are also thought to favour this. ‘Recently, the example of Chelsea Clinton was cited to Andrew,’ I am told. ‘It was pointed out how she was often front-page news - like his daughters - until she went to work for management consultants McKinsey.’

The firm, he was told, not only provided her with a career, but could also protect her, so she was no longer so high profile. It was also explained that their protection worked in another way: by not tolerating a party lifestyle because it was bad for the company’s image.

‘The subtle message was that were the princesses to work for big companies, they would be told what they could or more importantly couldn’t do in a way royal advisers cannot,’ says the friend.

Andrew, who as I revealed is standing down as UK trade ambassador, does have one further mission — to prove to his older brother he continues to do valuable work for the monarchy.

‘Andrew wants his brother to recognise what he does, too,’ I am told.
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Voice Of Racing hands over reigns

More than a quarter of a century after most of his contemporaries have retired from active employment, Sir Peter O’Sullevan continues to work at a feverish pace, raising millions of pounds to help horses who have participated in the sport he knows intimately and loves with a passion.

But now, with his 94th birthday in March, the Voice Of Racing has decided to hand over the reins of his fundraising efforts to others. Sir Peter has chosen to announce his move to a more back-seat role to coincide with his 15th annual charity lunch at the Dorchester on Thursday.

It is a busy week for O’Sullevan, who will also be hosting, along with Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Henry Cecil, a fundraising dinner at Newmarket on Saturday for campaigners fighting Lord Derby’s development plan. ‘I am already 23 years beyond the normally allotted span and I really can’t expect that this will go on indefinitely,’ adds Sir Peter. ‘I am now pretty ancient as well as being under repair all the time.’
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Gemma's strip club challenge

Although she brought along her Spanish husband Stefano Catelli to an awards ceremony last night, there is one place that stunning actress Gemma Arterton will not be taking him to — the strip club she is planning to visit.

Former Bond girl Gemma, 25, tells me she is off to study strippers after filmmaker Neil Jordan cast her as a lady of the night in his next movie.

‘I play a prostitute called Clara. It’s a tough role but more and more I am choosing parts that are as different from the real me as possible.

‘I’m not scared of a challenge. I prefer it that way,’ she tells me.

Gemma, who married sales manager Stefano last summer in a ceremony in Andalucia, adds that to get into the part properly she will have to visit some less than salubrious venues.

‘I’m going to have to go to a strip club or somewhere like that,’ says Gemma, who was giving out the best actor gong at the Evening Standard theatre awards.

‘It’s something I’m dreading because I am a real prude and I know that in places like that my immediate reaction is to feel “eugh”.

‘But I’ve got to understand it’s something I need to do for the part. I will not be going with my husband.’
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The only way is Essex for Purdey's

Usually their awards are handed over to well-husbanded grouse moors owned by landowning dukes, but Mayfair gunmaker Purdey’s latest conservation prize has gone to a former Essex gravel pit.

The once-derelict, 30-acre site near the unlovely marshes town of Grays has been transformed by Gary Wilson and Steve Wallis into a sanctuary for pheasants and other plant and wildlife. There was an aristocratic flavour to the ceremony as the prize was presented by the Marquess of Douro, heir to the 96-year-old Duke of Wellington.
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Sweet news from Cadbury

Just two years ago, he was unveiling a statue in Hyde Park to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of motherhood, in his role as chairman of the Royal Parks Foundation.

Clearly, the goddess has worked her magic. For last week, chocolate heir Joel Cadbury, 40 and his wife Divia, 35, were back in the park — and telling friends that Divia was pregnant with their third child.


Celebrating: Joel Cadbury with his wife Divia

The couple — Divia is the daughter of electronics millionaire Gulu Lalvani — were strolling around at the launch of the annual Christmas extravangaza, Winter Wonderland. ‘They were both ecstatically happy and they couldn’t help telling everyone the news,’ says a friend.

The couple will no doubt put on a lavish bash for the new arrival. Known for their opulent parties, their wedding, hosted by Divia’s father, lasted four days and 350 guests were bedded down at Mr Lalvani’s five-star Royal Phuket Marina resort in Thailand.
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Damian hides monied background

Right-on Old Etonian actor Damian Lewis, 40, has always been somewhat embarrassed about his expensive education. Indeed, decrying his £30,000-a-year alma mater, the flame-haired Band Of Brothers star declares: ‘Well, it was probably posh at one stage, but not now.’

What about the fact that Princes William and Harry were both fairly recent pupils? Says Lewis, the son of a City broker and grandson of a Lord Mayor of London: ‘Well, they were the first Royal Family to go there, so you might say they weren’t posh — they were arriviste.’ Sounds like lese-majeste, I should say.
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PS Labour MP Tom Watson is stung by suggestions he has undergone an Ugly Betty-style makeover. The phone-hacking campaigner, who has accepted an honorary year’s membership of louche Soho watering hole The Groucho Club, says: ‘I only joined the Groucho because the membership was a runner-up prize in its Maverick Of The Year award. I haven’t had a makeover. It’s not true. My glasses are three years old and were bought by my wife. I have my hair cut at the Commons for £15. I have lost weight but that’s because I was so obsessed with the phone-hacking thing I gave up drink and took up walking.’


source:dailymail