EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: Beatrice gave Harry nod to film at Queen’s cottage 

Princess Beatrice, one of the few royals still in communication with Harry and Meghan, gave her permission for them to film at the Queen‘s outsize Wendy house at Windsor Castle for their Netflix entertainment. Called Y Bwthyn Bach, it was a sixth birthday present to Princess Elizabeth from the people of Wales in 1932. In 2010, HM passed custodianship of the house to Princess Beatrice, who oversaw a year-long renovation before inviting Andrew Marr inside for The Diamond Queen for the BBC in 2012, the first time television cameras had been allowed in. But when she allowed access to the Montecito Two did she know they would be smirking over their tea as they monetised one of the Queen’s most private retreats?

Called Y Bwthyn Bach, it was a sixth birthday present to Princess Elizabeth from the people of Wales in 1932

Harry and Meghan, moaning that the two-bedroom Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace was just too small for them, neglect to clarify that it was a stopgap berth while the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were being moved from their 21-room apartment at KP to allow an expensive refurbishment for the Sussexes. At the last minute, the Sussexes decided they didn’t want to live there and the Queen offered Frogmore Cottage at Windsor instead. Staff were relocated and £2.4million was spent on making it a des res fit for the Sussex lifestyle. Curious how recollections vary.

Gillian Anderson, pictured, wasn’t thanked for getting into character while playing a witch in the film version of the children’s book Room on the Broom. ‘I went in and did a whole day of recording as a witch cackling,’ she says. ‘And then I got a call from them, and they said, ‘You know, we’ve been listening to the recordings – and we actually really like you just doing you for this character. We don’t want this [does a witchy voice], ‘Ha ha!’.’

Tom Watson’s berthing on the red benches infuriates Lord Hague, who remarks, ‘I wouldn’t want him in my house.’ Accusing Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of weakness in pushing through the elevation of the former Labour deputy leader he adds: ‘His conduct towards some people of high reputation, including dear friends of mine like Lord Brittan, was despicable.’ Yet the so called Nonce Finder General is now Lord Watson of Wyre Forest. Discuss.

Chips Channon’s renowned curator Simon Heffer seeks information about a vicious row between bisexual Channon’s jealous lovers, playwright Terence Rattigan and handsome major Peter Coats, aide de camp to General Wavell. ‘They had a bitch fight, and Coats won,’ says Heffer. ‘But there are no diaries for the period during which it happened, and I think either Chips was too distressed to keep them, or Coats destroyed them after Chips’s death. I just don’t know.’

Asked by GB News presenter Gloria De Piero what he does for relaxation, Jacob Rees-Mogg replies: ‘When I want to relax I go into the House of Commons and I lie down on the front bench.’ The member for the 18th century is having what he wouldn’t call a giraffe.