Alexander Larman

I was once informed that hell would freeze over before I ever wrote anything kind or sympathetic when it came to Meghan Markle. In which case, that crackling sound you hear is ice forming over Hades, because recent events have convinced me that, for once, the Duchess of Sussex merits not the usual dismissal mixed with contempt that she has been treated with by many figures in the British media, but instead understanding and, indeed, sympathy as to why she has done many of the things that she is responsible for over the past eight years. Yes, even With Love, Meghan. When the news that Markle’s father, Thomas, was said to have a considerable stash of child pornography broke, my initial reaction was incomprehension. Firstly, his son Thomas Jr. had given an interview to the Sun.

Now that Meghan Markle has successfully – in her own estimation, at least – once again won the battle for hearts and minds in Britain after her trip to Nottingham with Prince Harry, her thoughts have turned once again to her resumption of her former profession. I refer, of course, to acting, and to the rumours that she was to be given a plum starring role in the third series of Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, in which she was said to be reading for an unspecified but pivotal part. A fly-on-the-wall documentary following their return to Britain would have been a guaranteed ratings hit These rumours have now been shut down. And, true to form with all things involving the Duchess of Sussex, there is a spat about who is telling the truth.

Twice in the past week, I’ve heard controversial figures say the words 'It’s good to be back', or some close variant thereof. The first was Johnny Depp, in character as literature’s most famous grouch Scrooge, in the dreadful-looking trailer for the latest cinematic ‘reimagining’ of A Christmas Carol. The other was Meghan Markle, arriving along with her husband Prince Harry in Nottingham, where they were going on a royal tour which we’re not allowed to call a royal tour for the simple reason that they are no longer working royals. Not, of course, that this has stopped Meghan and Harry from rocking up in the Midlands city, where they went to various worthy initiatives such as Himmah Hub, a food poverty action group, and a community recording station.

Whisper it, but the tide may be turning for one of Britain’s most unpopular, and unfortunate, men. The news that Thames Valley Police have admitted to using unlawful warrants to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s homes when he was arrested earlier this year is undeniably a victory for the beleaguered former Duke of York. It also might well be the beginning of the end for the police investigation into allegations of his misconduct in public office. There was widespread scepticism when it was announced that Andrew would be taking the police to court, and Buckingham Palace sources were quick to stress that the King would not be funding any part of the legal process. But Andrew has now won the first round at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The news of the death of Jeffrey Archer at 86 came in somehow typical circumstances. The bestselling novelist, Conservative peer and all-round reprobate was hard on the publicity trail for Adam and Eve, which he was calling his final book, although, typically, he was leaving the door ajar for future literary endeavours. Apparently his ‘sudden and peaceful’ death came between writing sessions at his Westminster penthouse. A home where he liked to show guests at his famous Krug and shepherd’s pie parties the views over the Thames that Monet had once painted.

As controversy continues to rage about the ‘he said/he said’ dynamic in Earl Spencer’s damning memoir – and whether Prince Harry knew (and, crucially approved) of the allegations in the book – there is, at least, the opportunity to draw light relief from something rather less consequential. It might seem strange to remember this, given the various other disasters in the world today, but Meghan Markle – now, of course, a resident in Britain once again – is continuing to run her As Ever brand. Even though she no longer has the backing of Netflix and her cursed With Love, Meghan television specials to promote it, it continues to be a going concern. Now, we have been treated to Meghan's dinner party hosting tips. They are neither profound nor revelatory.

Although 2026 isn’t a significant anniversary year for J.R.R. Tolkien, there has been more attention paid to the author recently than most deceased authors get when it’s their centenary. Firstly, D.J. Taylor published his critically acclaimed quasi-biography of Tolkien, The King Under the Mountain, which is the first serious attempt to examine the writer and his legacy since Humphrey Carpenter’s authorised life in 1977. And now, as if in serendipity, Westminster Abbey has announced that there will be a new memorial to the Lord of the Rings creator in Poets’ Corner, to be designed by artist Stephen Broadbent.

When Earl Spencer was interviewed by Larry King in 1997, he had nothing but words of praise for the-then Prince Charles, in the aftermath of Diana’s death and funeral. When Larry King asked if the Prince of Wales had had anything to say about Spencer’s fiery eulogy, his guest replied, ‘Not about the speech, no, but he was perfectly polite all day’, and went on to stress that, ‘Nothing nasty has ever been said about it by him to me.’ Spencer attempted to claim that he was drawing a distinction between Charles as king and Charles as unpleasant brother-in-law.