The Irish Queen

Britain's Prince Andrew was staying in the same Muscat hotel as the President, Mary McAleese, when she arrived in Oman on her state visit last week. The sumptuous Al Bustan Palace has a cathedral-like lobby, wafting incense and a private beach. Their paths didn't cross, which was probably just as well. Had he seen the account presented to her officials as she checked out of the Marriott Hotel in Cairo earlier that day, he might not have been very amused. Beside the room numbers, it gave the name - The Irish Queen.