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5 months ago
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One of the late Queen's best-loved roles was patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, retaining fond memories of her father George VI's enthusiasm for the birds.
His favourite, Royal Blue, received the Dickin Medal for Gallantry in 1940.
Before her death she sanctioned a £40,000 upgrade of the pigeon loft at Windsor.
Alas this fondness is not shared by the King.
The association wrote to Charles asking if he would take over his mother's role as patron. He declined.
His three times great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who was gifted the first royal pigeons from the King of the Belgians in 1886, would not be amused.
King Charles does not show the love his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, or great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, showed for pigeons
The late Queen's love of birds – she was responsible for the 100-strong collection of budgerigars at Windsor – began with George V's African grey parrot, Charlotte, whom the young Princess Elizabeth lovingly fed sugar lumps.
Charlotte, who could say 'God save the King', took part in George's funeral procession.
The late Queen's love of birds – she was responsible for the 100-strong collection of budgerigars at Windsor – began with George V's African grey parrot, Charlotte
Despite the King leaving Andrew off the Royal Ascot guest list, he could have turned up at the corporate hospitality marquees of the Bahraini and Qatari royals where he was invited.
He gallantly declined fearing his attendance would be a 'distraction' and embarrass his brother, the monarch.
Prince Andrew gallantly declined the corporate hospitality marquees of the Bahraini and Qatari royals where he was invited for Royal Ascot
BBC political editor Chris Mason palpitated like a star-struck teenager when country and western warbler Shania Twain described herself as a fan of the Yorkshireman.
She declared in a personal video message: 'I would love to meet in person.'
A blushing Chris, 44, described Shania's message as 'fantastic' and 'unbelievable', and mewled: 'Never mind soggy pants in Downing Street!'
That impresses me much: Singer Shania Twain told BBC political editor Chris Mason in a personal video message, 'I would love to meet in person'
Donald Sutherland, who has died at 88, nursed a career-long regret for turning down a percentage of the gross profits of National Lampoon's 1978 Animal House in which he played a zany pot-smoking professor.
Convinced the film would flop, he took an upfront payment of $40,000.
If he had opted for the percentage he would have earned $40million.
Missing millions: Actor Donald Sutherland regrets missing out on a $40million pay day
Smacking his lips at Labour's imminent return to power, Prince of Darkness millionaire Lord Mandelson seems to be ignoring the party's almost daily plea for donations from rich donors.
And none of the windows of his £12million Regent's Park terrace house displays posters of the local Labour candidate.
Who is he? Keir Starmer. Doh!
None of the windows of Lord Mandelson's £12million Regent's Park terrace house displays posters of his local Labour candidate - Sir Keir Starmer
Following Jeremy Vine's bizarre appearance in a 2008 BBC election special dressed as a Stetson-wearing Wild West gunslinger – and taking pot shots at Nick Clegg – what has he in store for us on July 4?
'Do we have Rishi Sunak in short trousers and every time he loses a seat his trousers get shorter?' he asks, sensibly adding: 'We're not quite there yet.'
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