Prince Philip DID have an affair with Susan Barrantes despite what that daft rotter Mogg says
LOVERS: Philip and Barrantes at the Yorks’ wedding in 1986
I had intended to give the Yorks a rest this week but, alas for them, it's the story that keeps on giving. And keeps introducing priceless moments of awfulness from their self-appointed defence team.
For reasons I have explained here recently, I have a particular interest in Entitled, Andrew Lownie's perfectly-named biography of the couple. And, following the Mail's serialisation of the book and prior to its publication this Thursday, Lownie has been doing the rounds of the TV and radio studios. At the same time a former 'model and It Girl' (remember them?) by the name of Lady Victoria Hervey has been saying obliging things about her friend Prince Andrew.
But first let's consider the treatment meted out to Lownie by that ridiculous Edwardian relic, Jacob Rees-Mogg, on GB News last Thursday. In what was billed as an 'interview' Mogg clearly had no intention of listening to the answers to his questions. It is an object lesson in how not to interview someone when you've already made up you mind that your guest is, in Moggspeak, a bounder and an absolute rotter.
He immediately lighted on the brilliant opening line in the book which, when I read it in my advance copy, I had to re-read to make sure my eyes hadn't deceived me.
"The father of the groom and mother of the bride - lovers 20 years earlier - sat in the third carriage waving to the crowds".
It's an intro to rival 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' or 'It was a bright cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen'. There we have it; in just 23 words we are informed that Prince Philip had an affair with Susan Barrantes.
Mogg's first question, and rightly so, was "Who told you that?" He expected Lownie to waffle and blather. But he didn't, and said his source was a trusted and knowledgeable member of his own family. Instead of interrogating the answer Mogg dismissed it as "just gossip" and talked over any attempt to fully explain.
So allow me to fill in the gaps; Lownie's wife Angela grew up near Ascot in close proximity to the Fergusons, her father had been at Eton just before Ronald Ferguson arrived and, like Ron, was a Guards officer. The families knew each other well. And on that strange day three years ago Drone passim) when Sarah met Lownie, Mrs L showed her a picture of her sister with Fergie when they were children.
Mogg was having none of it and just blundered on, never allowing an answer without interrupting or dismissing it. Everything in the book was rubbished as 'salacious, hear-say or gossip' and with that the interview, in truth the Mogg Rant, was mercifully over.
His father William, the distinguished former editor of The Times, would be turning in his grave. He believed an interviewer's objective is to add to the sum of knowledge by asking the right questions and listening to the answers. So does every proper journalist. But of course Mogg is not a journalist in any sense of the word, he is a failed politician and, to use the technical term, an arrogant prick.
He is also the man who in 2019, as Leader of the House, lied to the Queen in order to have Parliament prorogued and avoid proper scrutiny of Brexit legislation.
If he had done his research, he would know that Andrew Lownie and he are members of the same club (the Beefsteak) and that, before Lownie went to Westminster School, he was at Tony Blair's alma mater, Fettes, where he played rugby against Prince Andrew in the annual match with Gordonstoun. His connections are impeccable and widespread.
Maybe Mogg's mood will be blamed on Nanny's failure to lay out the correct double-breasted underpants that day. Whatever, I am delighted to report that Ofcom has been blitzed with complaints from viewers.
And then there is Lady Victoria Hervey (it rhymes with scurvy), who tells every channel on both sides of the Atlantic that her prince is terrific, has done so much for his country and is innocent of any of the ghastly things he's accused of. "He's incapable of lying". And that “Emily Maitlis is evil".
Hervey claims Lownie has had a "lifelong obsession with Prince Andrew”. The truth is rather different: "I hadn't picked up any book on the royals until 10 years ago when I began research for my biography of the Mountbattens".
The problem is Hervey has a selective memory and can't seem to remember all the other tales she told along the way. Three years ago she said that because of her aristocratic background she was being used as bait by Epstein and Maxwell to attract high-powered men and in her words 'young girls’. Now she claims she hadn't seen many who looked underage.
She should remember that if you're going to modify your story, you really should remember the version you used in the past.
Together Mogg and Hervey make a very unappetising and pathetic pair in defence of one of the most unappealing people even the monarchy has produced.
FOOTNOTE 1: In the US the publishers are keen to know the truth of reports that Andrew once underwent treatment for, ahem, a particularly nasty complaint. Cocklecarrot advises me to leave it there. He has also forbidden me from any reference to Lord Porchester, the late Queen’s racehorse trainer
FOOTNOTE 2: Vulgarity appears to run in the Ferguson family. When Ross Benson and Ingrid Seward married in 1987 we were next to Major Ron in the line-up at the reception. His request to the bride was: "May I be the first to commit adultery with you my dear?"
*****
In stark contrast to her brother, Princess Anne, who hits 75 on Friday, is a breath of fresh air. The hardest working member of the family with 474 engagements last year, she refused titles for her children and just gets on with life.
In the 90s I was given the task of co-ordinating an initiative we had with a charity aimed at preventing youth crime. The lead sponsor was Vauxhall and we were the media partner. We produced a paper, predictably enough called Youth Express, aimed at kids, and a grand launch was organised.
Come the day I was down to speak with Anne at the main event in the City. I got up, burbled away for 10 minutes (ignoring the cries of Encore, Encore). Then it was Anne's turn and her first words were:"Well thanks very much, that was exactly what I was about to say" and with that she very theatrically tore up her notes and extemporised brilliantly.
There had been no requirement from 'her people' to compare speeches and absolutely none of the usual palavar that goes with even the smallest royal event. She seemed a down-to-earth sort and she was very likeable.
Our next meeting was a few days later which involved a lunchtime reception in aid of the charity (you may have guessed by now that I can't remember its bloody name).
Anne was chatting while eating canapes and Barrie Gomer, our deputed snapper, was doing his thing. Whereupon some wretched flunkie put his hand in front of the lens and informed him: “The Royal Family are not to be photographed while eating".
No rule regarding toe-sucking however.
****
AND FINALLY
"Prince Andrew slept with 1,000 women". Whoever came up with that daft euphemism when the opposite is meant? So what should we say? 'He was awake with'? 'Made love to/with' is fine if love is involved. But what if it's just a bunk-up? Bonking is a bit twee so let's have your suggestions. There's a crisp oncer in it.
ALAN FRAME
13 August 2025
