Party animal prince can't read the room

AMID all the revelation and recent indignation engulfing Prince Andrew, one story hit me right between the eyes. He was planning a sumptuous extravaganza to mark his ex-wife’s 66th birthday.

- Vanessa Feltz

Her sister Jane had flown over to share the festivities. The great and the good had been invited to celebrate in style. Florists, caterers, stylists and makeup artists were rubbing their hands in glee.

Only when the incriminating tranche of emails exchanged by the couple we no longer call the Yorks and convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein showed no sign of drying up, public revulsion escalated and the King had no alternative but to demand his brother relinquish use of his title and confine himself to covert backdoor appearances at family gatherings did Andrew finally twig this might not be the moment for a full-on marquee, band, DJ, cocktail, white tie-and-tails, no-expense-spared bash.