EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: William takes his first steps into politics by giving Keir Starmer audience

EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: William takes his first steps in politics since becoming Prince of Wales by giving audience to Keir Starmer next week

William is taking his first steps into politics since becoming Prince of Wales by giving an audience to Sir Keir Starmer next week.

Traditionally, monarchs only have business with their prime minister, while heirs have more freedom.

But his father also seems interested in what Starmer, who could become his third prime minister, has to say. His Majesty broke with convention and invited Starmer and his wife Victoria to dinner at Windsor Castle.

Starmer seemed more interested in chatting with England manager Gareth Southgate.

Harry’s allegations of a tracking device on former squeeze Chelsy’s motorbike stir memories of Prince Philip’s refusal to allow police to fit a similar gadget to his dark green London taxi, now in the Sandringham House Museum stands.

Traditionally, monarchs only have business with their prime minister, while heirs have more freedom

His Majesty broke with convention and invited Starmer and his wife Victoria to dinner at Windsor Castle.  Starmer seemed more interested in chatting with England manager Gareth Southgate.  Pictured: Conversation with former England footballer Gary Neville in September

His Majesty broke with convention and invited Starmer and his wife Victoria to dinner at Windsor Castle. Starmer seemed more interested in chatting with England manager Gareth Southgate. Pictured: Conversation with former England footballer Gary Neville in September

But his private business around London was being watched by Scotland Yard. The late Queen agreed to a tracker being placed without telling him.

Before interviewing Rishi following the backlash in last month’s local elections, Sky’s political editor Beth Rigby, pictured, sought advice from her friend Rob Burley, former BBC political editor.

He told her that as one of life’s winners, the prime minister might have had a hard time losing the local elections.

“I suggested Beth ask him how he handles defeat,” he says. “It really messed him up. Stumped, he resorted to parroting his five commitments.”

Before interviewing Rishi after the backlash in last month's local elections, Sky political editor Beth Rigby, pictured, sought advice from her friend Rob Burley, former BBC political editor.

Before interviewing Rishi after the backlash in last month’s local elections, Sky political editor Beth Rigby, pictured, sought advice from her friend Rob Burley, former BBC political editor.

Jeremy Clarkson’s antics on his Diddly Squat Farm could soon be mirrored in BBC Radio 4’s classic soap The Archers.

Sybil Ruscoe, the show’s farm and countryside consultant whose input has helped attract listeners, hopes to visit Clarkson’s acres as part of her strategy to talk to farmers.

“I haven’t been there yet,” she says. “But the farmers I meet love Jeremy’s program.” Are Archers aficionados up for the antics of Jeremy’s silly sidekick Kaleb Cooper?

Jeremy Clarkson's antics at his Diddly Squat Farm could soon be mirrored in BBC Radio 4's classic soap The Archers

Jeremy Clarkson’s antics at his Diddly Squat Farm could soon be mirrored in BBC Radio 4’s classic soap The Archers

Are Archers aficionados up for the antics of Jeremy's silly sidekick Kaleb Cooper (left)?

Are Archers aficionados up for the antics of Jeremy’s silly sidekick Kaleb Cooper (left)?

Australian Republican eyebrows are rising at the revelation of the cost of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s presence at King Charles’s coronation.

The hotel rooms in Westminster alone cost around £150,000 for his entourage of 18.

Coincidentally, unlike Charles on his last visit to Down Under, Albanese was not accompanied by a traveling landowner to look after his medals.

Alf Dubs, who is celebrating his 90th birthday in the House of Lords, recalls joking to a hospital doorman when his dress swung open as he was being wheeled onto a trolley: ‘That will teach you to buy personal protective equipment from Michelle Mone. ‘

Bob Stanley’s new Bee Gees biography recalls a brooding Maurice Gibb who left the group to star in a musical about Marie Lloyd with Barbara Windsor.

In an effort to cheer him up, writer Ned Sherrin asked Babs to “give him one.” She was kind enough to admit, but the woeful Maurice couldn’t perk up. Isn’t life great?