Prince Andrew's Diminished Life at Sandringham Amid Friend's Plane Crash
Forlorn and isolated, Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor now finds himself exiled from Royal Lodge, his palatial residence within Windsor Great Park. The former prince may struggle to adapt to the constraints of his new, diminished existence at Sandringham. However, he might yet prove wise enough to count his blessings, particularly upon learning the fate of the man once routinely described as his closest companion.
Mogens Tholstrup's Critical Condition After Aviation Accident
I can disclose that Mogens Tholstrup, the ever-charming Danish restaurateur, is currently in intensive care in South Africa following a severe plane crash. At 64 years old, Tholstrup may consider himself fortunate to be alive after surviving the aviation incident. His daughter Christy, from his marriage to Scandinavian model Paola Schlansen, was urgently attempting to reach his bedside yesterday.
Christy explained to friends via social media platforms: "If I don't answer you, it's because I'm organising a trip to South Africa." She added that her father had "survived a plane crash" and had been transported to intensive care for medical treatment.
Historical Connections Between Andrew and Tholstrup
This development may stir bittersweet memories for Prince Andrew. More than three decades ago, Tholstrup electrified London's restaurant scene by resurrecting Daphne's in South Kensington with an extravagant party for 350 guests. The celebration was fuelled by champagne and reportedly fizzing with blonde attendees.
At the reopening of Daphne's, it was recorded that "at least seven of the blonde bombshells were, as they say, well-known" to the former prince. Thereafter, it seemed inevitable that Andrew would form a bond with Tholstrup, who appeared incapable of putting a foot wrong whether in restaurant ventures or social circles.
Tholstrup launched equally fashionable establishments including Pasha and The Collection while enjoying romantic relationships with both Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Lady Victoria Hervey. "The two go nightclubbing together and partied at the royal birthday bash at Windsor last month," the Daily Mail Diary recorded in spring 2000.
However, by that period, Andrew was being drawn into Jeffrey Epstein's orbit, with the subsequent developments becoming historical record. The contrast between Andrew's constrained new life and Tholstrup's critical medical condition highlights their diverging paths.
Harry Potter Casting Confusion for Sherlock Star
In entertainment news, Sherlock star Louise Brealey experienced amusing confusion when landing a role in HBO's multi-million pound Harry Potter remake, scheduled to air next year. The actress was so thrilled about the casting that she barely registered which character she would be portraying.
"The phone line was quite crackly," explains Louise, 46. "They said, 'Lou, you've got a part in Harry Potter.' I was, like, 'Wow! What part?' And they said, 'The physics teacher.' I went, 'Oh – lovely!'"
Quidditch Teacher Realisation
The penny dropped only after Louise – who played hospital worker Molly Hooper in Sherlock – telephoned her boyfriend, fellow actor Ferdinand Kingsley, to share the exciting news. "He said 'Lou, there isn't a physics teacher. It's a magic school – there's no physics.' Then he went, 'For f***'s sake – was it the Quidditch teacher?' And I said, 'Oh yeah! That was it.'"
The role in question – Madam Hooch – was originally played by Zoe Wanamaker in the earlier film adaptations. This casting confusion provides lighthearted entertainment news amidst more serious developments.
Family Reconciliation for Ewan McGregor and Daughter
In celebrity family news, time has proven to be a great healer for actor Ewan McGregor and his daughter Clara. Following past tensions, Clara's 30th birthday celebration in the United States was attended not only by her mother Eve Mavrakis, 59, but also by her father Ewan, 54, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Winstead, 41.
Clara had previously described Mary as a "piece of trash" after Ewan was seen kissing his Fargo co-star at a London restaurant in 2017 while still married to Eve. However, the birthday gathering marked a significant reconciliation.
Public Apology and Healing
"New decade unlocked," Clara wrote alongside a photograph with the Star Wars actor. She later apologised for her earlier remarks about Mary, who married Ewan in 2022, acknowledging that it wasn't her "finest hour." This family reunion demonstrates the power of time and forgiveness in healing fractured relationships.
Additional Cultural and Philanthropic Updates
Emerald Fennell's Costume Choices: The Oscar-winning director remains unapologetic about the anachronistic costumes featured in her film adaptation of Emily Bronte's 1847 masterpiece Wuthering Heights. "If you watch Far From The Madding Crowd, Julie Christie is wearing a Sixties dress with false eyelashes and a beehive, and it's the best," Emerald states at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
She emphasizes that "Bronte's work is timeless" and that "suspension of disbelief is important to acknowledge – that's why it's so fun."
Philanthropic Art Collection Auction
Dame Stephanie Shirley's Legacy: The art collection of tech tycoon Dame Stephanie Shirley is set to raise approximately £1 million for autism charity Autistica, six months following her passing. Her collection of modern art and sculptures, including works by Barbara Hepworth and Ivon Hitchens, will go under the hammer at Newbury-based auctioneers Dreweatts next month.
Proceeds from the sale of the 140-lot collection will benefit Autistica, a charity Dame Stephanie founded in memory of her autistic son Giles, who died aged 35. At its peak, Dame Stephanie's software firm F International was valued at £2 billion, and she became one of Britain's foremost philanthropists, donating more than £70 million to charitable causes throughout her lifetime.
Oldie of the Year Award: The Oldie magazine's editor, Harry Mount, presented the Oldie of the Year award to historian Lady Antonia Fraser, 93, at a ceremony at the National Liberal Club in London. Lady Antonia happens to be a first cousin of Harry's father, the baronet and author Sir Ferdinand Mount, but remains a fitting winner.
She recently published The House That Spoke: The History of a Home in 2025 – seventy-one years after her first book, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, was originally released.
Debbie Harry's Stylist Preferences
Blondie's Direct Approach: Photographer Kevin Cummins recalls fondly how Blondie's Debbie Harry, 80, once ejected a team of stylists – complete with their dogs – from a studio. "There was a rack of clothes, a load of makeup, and a stylist with two dogs there," he explains at an exhibition of photographs of The Cure at London's Iconic Images gallery.
"When she came in, she said [to the stylist], 'Who are you?' He said, 'I'm doing your clothes.' She said: 'I wear my own clothes, f*** off.' And she just threw everyone out." This anecdote illustrates the singer's no-nonsense approach to fashion and photography sessions.
