United show of defiance following book smears

THE Royal Family put on a show of unity last night, appearing together for the first time since they were subjected to fresh smears in Omid Scobie's book.

- Giles Sheldrick Chief Reporter

Beaming King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales took centre stage at a gala reception at Buckingham Palace.

The glittering annual white-tie function was staged to honour 500 top British and foreign mandarins.

The Palace has kept a dignified silence since allegations were made last the week after publication of Omid Scobie's book Endgame.

It was billed as a look "inside the royal family and the monarchy's fight for survival".

But Endgame's relentlessly savage tone, attacks on the Princess of Wales - whom the author describes as a "pliable" Stepford wife and a part-time royal because of her devotion to her children - has seen it roundly denounced and it attracted a brutal reviews.