In Britain's most publicly scrutinised private party of the year, Prince Charles throws a 50th birthday bash tomorrow for his mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, in a bold declaration of a 25-year love affair. The party for about 80 guests at the prince's Highgrove country home is something of a gamble for the heir to the throne as he tries to win public acceptance of the much-maligned Ms Parker Bowles as his lover, if not his bride.
Some guests have, however, turned down their invitations.
Blind Date presenter Cilla Black (53) had a "lorra lorra" things to tell Queen Elizabeth yesterday - in fact she could not stop talking. "You know me, I did all the yapping," she said, proudly holding her OBE. "I told her my life story. I saw that glazed look and I thought, it's time to shut up."
The TV star, who had just received her honour at a Buckingham Palace investiture, said the award was unexpected.
Cilla, reputedly the highest paid star on British TV, first met the queen in 1964 when she appeared on a Royal Command Performance at the London Palladium at the start of her pop-singing career.
Disgraced ex-Cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken faced a media mob yesterday when he appeared in public for the first time since fleeing Britain last month after the collapse of his libel case.
He was surrounded by a scrum of cameramen, photographers and reporters as he walked towards College Green, opposite the Houses of Parliament, and he could not force his way through the throng. Walking slowly, as he approached the green from a side road, Aitken smiled but refused to answer questions.
After a while he stopped and was forced to turn around, saying: "I don't think I'm going to get to College Green.