However No one can forget Prince Andrew’s heroic role in Falklands war helicopter piloting, despite his present troubles.
And I hear the Queen’s second son plans to use his military career as a way to return to public life.
Next year will mark the 40th anniversary the South Atlantic war, in which 255 British troops died. The Duke of York will participate in commemorative events during the summer.
‘The Duke is determined to take part in the Falklands commemorations,’ a source tells me. ‘The Falklands was a key moment in his life and he wants to honour his fallen comrades. He hopes this could help pave the way for a return to public life.’
Prince Andrew is arriving to Ride in Windsor
Today is the second anniversary of Andrew’s withdrawal from royal duties, after the overwhelmingly negative reaction to his Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis about his ill-advised friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Virginia Giuffre asserts that she was made to have sex on three occasions with Duke when she was 17,
However, earlier this month, a U.S. judge set a date in January for Andrew’s bid to have his accuser’s allegations thrown out.
Heroes’ return: Prince is met by the Queen following conflict
He denied them repeatedly, and with vehemence.
My source tells me: ‘The Duke expects that the court action in New York will have been dealt with long before the Falklands events.’
Andrew’s spokesman, Falkland Islands Memorial chapel Trust, told me that he would be welcomed to the service. ‘We have a big commemorative service on June 12. It’s all about those who were lost, the veterans no matter who they were, those who were lucky enough to come home.’
A royal source is keen to make clear that Andrew would be attending events as a veteran, saying: ‘No invitation has been received for the Duke to attend events in an official capacity.’ Andrew’s spokesman declines to comment.
Duke of York aboard HMS Invincible in the Falklands War. He was a helicopter pilot.
Is Kate giving up her catwalking career?
Kate Moss has enjoyed a successful career in fashion that spanned three decades. But could she be leaving the runway?
I ask because this week, the 47- year-old supermodel closed down the long-standing business through which she’s channelled her catwalk earnings, Skate.
Recently filed documents confirm that the company, founded by her in 2008 has officially ceased to trade.
Kate Moss has enjoyed a successful career in fashion that spanned three decades. But could she be leaving the runway?
At one point it had about £5million in assets. Her spokesman declines to comment but friends say she’s now focusing on the business she established in 2016 to manage the careers of fellow mannequins, the Kate Moss Agency.
‘I want people who can sing, dance and act,’ she explained at the time of the launch. ‘I want to create stars.’
The move comes after a removals lorry was spotted for two days in a row outside Moss’s house in North London, suggesting the reformed hedonist was quitting city life.
Moss was also fortunate to have a Cotswold cottage where she lived during the pandemic. She spent her most time there with Lila (age 19) and her 34-year-old boyfriend, Count Nikolai von Bismarck.
As the new boss of the landed gentry’s union, Mark Tufnell should be accustomed to sitting astride a horse as he hunts.
In a startling confession, Tufnell, who owns an estate in the Cotswolds, has, however, admitted he’s scared of all things equine.
He was afraid of becoming a vet.
‘I found I was terrified of horses — couldn’t go near them,’ the new president of the Country Landowners’ Association admits.
Let’s hope his members don’t gallop away…
Chantal will get sweet revenge after the Chelsea chocolate war…
It was shocking to discover that chocolate can have bitter tastes. I hear of an unspeakable feud among the rich world of high-end treats.
At next week’s Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas fair, one stall will be manned by Chantal Coady, co-chair of the Academy of Chocolate, who will be officially launching her company, The Chocolate Detective.
Just across the lawn, West London’s well-heeled shoppers will find Rococo, the firm Coady founded and spent 37 years turning into a luxury brand adored by the Queen and Hollywood stars.
Rupert Morley (a Comic Relief trustee) will now be the sole proprietor of this stall.
Coady left her company, which she loved so much in 2019 abruptly. Morley invested in the company in 2017 when Rococo had five shops and had been valued at £10million.
To Coady’s dismay, she was gradually edged out of the business until it suddenly went into administration in 2019. Morley bought Rococo a few weeks later.
‘Losing Rococo has been utter hell for Chantal,’ a friend tells me. ‘She was wiped out financially and emotionally.
‘It has been desperately sad, but she is fighting back and starting from scratch again.’
Morley refuses to comment. However, I wish this war could have a sweet end.