EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Did Mary Berry help open the diplomatic gates to Gibraltar for Princess Anne?

By EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE FOR THE DAILY MAIL

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Gibraltar-coveting Spaniards usually take offence when royals visit. Queen Sofia was banned from going to Charles and Diana's 1981 wedding because they were to start their honeymoon at the Rock. 

Ditto from the late Queen's 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations after Edward and Sophie's visit. 

Because of Spanish objections, Princess Anne – patron of Gibraltar's Literary Festival since 2016 – has not been allowed to visit the actual event... until now. 

Her plane was diverted to Malaga due to fog so she was instead permitted to travel overland. 

But might the fact she was accompanied in the hastily-arranged minibus by the sainted Dame Mary Berry have opened the diplomatic gates?

Because of Spanish objections, Princess Anne (pictured) – patron of Gibraltar's Literary Festival since 2016 – has not been allowed to visit the actual event... until now

Because of Spanish objections, Princess Anne (pictured) – patron of Gibraltar's Literary Festival since 2016 – has not been allowed to visit the actual event... until now

Her plane was diverted to Malaga due to fog so she was instead permitted to travel overland (pictured: Rock of Gibraltar)

Her plane was diverted to Malaga due to fog so she was instead permitted to travel overland (pictured: Rock of Gibraltar)

But might the fact she was accompanied in the hastily-arranged minibus by the sainted Dame Mary Berry (pictured) have opened the diplomatic gates?

But might the fact she was accompanied in the hastily-arranged minibus by the sainted Dame Mary Berry (pictured) have opened the diplomatic gates?

 

Sussex mouthpiece Omid Scobie's latest book claims Harry and Meghan were kept in the dark about the late Queen's health as she neared her end. Indeed they were, says a source. 

Keeping them in the loop risked details being leaked to the media via 'friends', which is precisely what the King didn't want. Of course, it's a mystery as to why Mystic Meghan didn't foresee events. 

Scooby Doo claims that when the bad news did arrive, Meghan made Harry answer the phone 'just before it stopped' ringing. An amazing gift of second sight.

 

ITV's This Morning host Dermot O'Leary thought his guest presenter the Duchess of York might spill some secrets of festive royal shenanigans, asking: 'Can you just give us a little insight into what Christmas dinner is like with the Royal Family?' 

The normally turbo-tongued Fergie replied: 'Beans on toast.' 

All rather awkward – she was barred from attending Christmases with the Queen and Prince Philip for almost 30 years following her 1992 split from Andrew. King Charles invited her back for the first time last year.

ITV's This Morning host Dermot O'Leary (pictured) thought his guest presenter the Duchess of York might spill some secrets of festive royal shenanigans, asking: 'Can you just give us a little insight into what Christmas dinner is like with the Royal Family?'

ITV's This Morning host Dermot O'Leary (pictured) thought his guest presenter the Duchess of York might spill some secrets of festive royal shenanigans, asking: 'Can you just give us a little insight into what Christmas dinner is like with the Royal Family?'

 

Elizabeth Hurley, pictured, may not be in the front pew for the funeral of actor Joss Ackland, who has died aged 95. 

Reflecting on his less memorable celluloid excitements, Joss mused: 'I do an awful lot of crap, but if it's not immoral, I don't mind. 

'I was in Mad Dogs And Englishmen, a Liz Hurley thing, which was God-awful and quite rightly torn to shreds.'

 

Michael Gove famously cut off his old friend Dominic Cummings after he turned on Boris. Could they now be reconciled? 

Both were spotted in prayer at Sunday evening's service in St Bartholomew the Great Church in Smithfield.

'Cummings sat next to a pillar, directly behind Gove, with an empty seat in between them,' whispers my eagle-eyed altar boy. Alas they didn't speak. 

The former chums were attending the confirmation of former civil servant Pamela Dow, who worked with both.

Michael Gove (pictured) famously cut off his old friend Dominic Cummings after he turned on Boris. Could they now be reconciled?

Michael Gove (pictured) famously cut off his old friend Dominic Cummings after he turned on Boris. Could they now be reconciled?

'Cummings (pictured) sat next to a pillar, directly behind Gove, with an empty seat in between them,' whispers my eagle-eyed altar boy. Alas they didn't speak

'Cummings (pictured) sat next to a pillar, directly behind Gove, with an empty seat in between them,' whispers my eagle-eyed altar boy. Alas they didn't speak

 

The return of Doctor Who prompts the definitive BBC Time Lord Tom Baker to recall his Colony Room Club drinking companion Francis Bacon watching the show on the TV in the Soho trough. 

'He didn't really understand why everyone was excited by it,' Tom tells Radio Times. 

'Francis was very flirtatious. He would get closer and closer and say, 'Mmm? Mmm?' as if he were absolutely electrified.' And not a Dalek in sight.

ITVElizabeth HurleyDominic CummingsChristmas

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