The Bedford Tiara

I've just finished reading an autobiography by Nicole, Duchess of Bedford, called Nicole Nobody.

Her Grace, second wife of the 13th Duke of Bedford, wrote it in 1974.

At that time they lived in the ancestral seat, Woburn Abbey, one of the very grandest houses in the British Isles.

They also had a London town-house in Chester Terrace.

The Bedford Jewels are renowned, particularly the famous Bedford Tiara.

About three months before she married the 13th Duke, Nicole was staying at her flat in Paris when Ian arrived (the 13th Duke didn't like his Christian name, John).

Ian discarded a brown carrier-bag onto Nicole's lap, which contained the exquisite tiara.

Woburn Abbey

It was made in the 18th century and once belonged to Caroline Bonaparte, Queen of Naples and sister of Napoléon.

The tiara comprises roses, thistles, and wheat, mounted on springs so that it quivers gently.

One evening, at a dance in Luton Hoo, the residence of Sir Harold and Lady Wernher, attended by members of the Royal Family, the Duchess of Bedford noticed that her tiara was grander than Her Majesty the Queen's.

Her Majesty approached the Duchess during the reception to have a closer look at it.

Incidentally, in 1970, when the Duchess reached 50 years of age, the 13th Duke bought her an Astrakhan brown Rolls-Royce Phantom VI, registration number DOB 1.

One luxury item fitted was a kind of "teasmade" (which cost £600, equivalent to about £9,000 today).

Royal Visit

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in Belfast and were welcomed by the Lord-Lieutenant of Belfast, Mrs Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle CBE.

Their Royal Highnesses are visiting Hillsborough Castle and Gardens prior to its official opening on the 18th April, 2019.

The royal couple were greeted at the Castle by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, Mr David Lindsay.

Tyrone DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mr Robert Scott OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of County Tyrone, has been pleased to appoint

Mrs Catherine Duffy OBE
Moy
Dungannon
County Tyrone

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County her Commission bearing date the 1st day of April, 2019.

Lord Lieutenant of the County

Ode to Belmont

The old school pal, NCS, alias the Bard of Schomberg, has composed an ode specially dedicated to self:-

ODE TO BELMONT

I was disheartened this evening to see, 

That to your ‘blog’ was missing,

The latest culinary exploit.  

Oh did one with habitual fever wait.

Even as the sun set its head,

Even at the strikes of the midnight hour, 

Nothing had materialised.

Thence I stumbled upon your ‘twitter.’  

I saw before my eyes the most wonderful vista:

Of decadent banana tart and fillet steak, 

And sadness turned to joy.

Jolly fine stuff here from Schomberg and not one penny exchanged hands, either.

First published in April, 2016.

The Hon Shane O'Neill DL

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LIEUTENANT

Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE, Lord-Lieutenant of County Antrim, has been pleased to appoint

The Hon Shane Sebastian Clanaboy O'NEILL
Shane's Castle
County Antrim

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County his Commission bearing date the 30th day of April 2018

Joan Christie

Lord Lieutenant of the County

English Lesson

Jeeves in the Offing was published by Sir P G Wodehouse in 1960.

In Chapter Eighteen Bertie Wooster is discussing his old prep schoolmaster, Aubrey Upjohn MA:-

“Audacity,” I said, throwing her the line.

“The audacity to dictate to me who I shall have in my house.”

It should have been “whom”,  but I let it go.

“You have the ...”

“Crust”.

“...the immortal rind,” she amended, and I have to admit it was stronger, “to tell me whom” - she got it right that time - “I may entertain at Brinkley Court, and who” - wrong again - “I may not.”

New DL

Mrs Alison Millar, Lord-Lieutenant of County Londonderry, has been pleased to appoint

Mr David Cunningham

Maghera

County Londonderry

To be a Deputy Lieutenant of the County his Commission bearing date the 11th day of March 2019

Lord Lieutenant of the County