As Prince George turns 12, why he might have to travel by himself,
As Prince George turns 12 today, his parents have been urged to take care to ensure the safety of the future king.
A former pilot of the royal helicopters has confirmed that George’s father, Prince William, stopped travelling with the then-Prince Charles when he was 12.
Talking about Charles, Princess Diana and their sons, former pilot Graham Laurie said: ‘Interestingly, we flew all four – the Prince, the Princess, Prince William and Prince Harry, up until Prince William was 12 years old.
‘After that, he had to have a separate aircraft and we could only fly all four together when they were young with the written permission of Her Majesty. When William became 12, he would fly normally in a 125 from Northolt and we would fly the 146 out with the other three on.’
Royal author Robert Jobson reported that the King had raised objections to William, a qualified helicopter pilot, flying the family to Norfolk – where they have a holiday home, Anmer Hall. ‘One recent source of disagreement is William’s stubborn refusal to take his father’s advice on safeguarding the succession,’ he wrote in Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, published in 2024. ‘Earlier this year, the King had raised concerns with his son about the wisdom of William using his helicopter to fly his entire family around the country.’
A friend of William and Catherine tells me: ‘William is a skilled pilot and loves flying but George must travel separately now.’
A Kensington Palace spokesman tells me: ‘We don’t comment on travel.’
Richard Osman’s influence over the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate proved murderously expensive. The TV host-turned-author put thousands behind a hotel bar for last week’s event. ‘Drinks are on me,’ he declared online. ‘Just go to The Old Swan and say, “I am here for the Wedding”.’ Cheers!
Roland sows seeds of love with child on way
Tears for Fears star Roland Orzabal has something to shout about.
The musician, who turns 64 next month, is to become a father again. His second wife, the US photographer Emily Rath, 38, is expecting their first child. Orzabal, whose hits with bandmate Curt Smith include Everybody Wants to Rule the World and Sowing the Seeds of Love, married Emily in 2020 during the pandemic.
Roland had two sons with first wife Caroline Johnston, who died in 2017 aged 54.
Checkmate, Sir Andy?
Sir Andy Murray is so competitive he has signed up to a chess improvement app to start beating his five-year-old son, Teddy.
‘He started playing chess a couple of months ago and he can already beat his dad and his grandpa and his uncle,’ Sir Andy’s mother Judy says of Teddy. Asked how the two-time Wimbledon champion has reacted to the losses, she replies: ‘He’s now signed on to this thing – I think it’s called Chess.com – and he is practising like crazy. He’s got to up his game.’
Shirley’s ex tangos with new love
Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas’s split from her ‘toyboy’ fiance, Daniel Taylor, in November – and he has wasted no time in finding new love.
I can disclose that the actor, 52, is going out with Rachael Jones, who is the director of a Merseyside recruitment firm and 14 years younger than Ballas, 64. Taylor shared photographs from the pair’s holiday, with Rachael in a bikini. ‘I’ve had worse Thursdays,’ he joked alongside one snap.
Shirley, who’s been married twice and engaged four times, confirmed she’d split from Taylor after six years, describing her love life as a ‘disaster’.
Charles’ gardener hopes might come a cropper
Unfortunate timing for King Charles. He’s advertising for a senior gardener at Buckingham Palace just as he’s reported to have cultivated disharmony among staff at Highgrove with his exacting standards.
The royal website’s advert says the £32,000-a-year job also comes with the bonus of accommodation.
‘It’s tending to gardens that thousands will admire,’ says the ad.
‘Our dedicated gardens team maintains and showcases the 39 acres of Buckingham Palace Garden to the highest standard. With lots of initiative and a creative eye, you’ll also be keen to contribute new ideas for developing the gardens and grounds.’
Joely’s all kiss and no tell about her mystery man
Joely Richardson, who once said she never talks about her love life, appears to have had a change of heart.
The actress, 60, who was married to film producer Tim Bevan, shared a photograph on social media of herself enjoying a passionate kiss with a mystery man.
To celebrate the unnamed man’s birthday, she wrote: ‘To all birthdays today, and every day as surely – we were all born just to love each other.’
Joely – whose exes also include Oscar winner Sir Kenneth Branagh and presenter Jamie Theakston – was congratulated by friends such as Marcella star Anna Friel, who said: ‘This is very beautiful.’ The star has a daughter, Daisy, 33, with Bevan and admits that she wants to get married again.
