Archive · London · Heritage · Pop Culture
Sophia Loren in 1967 beside one of the two London sphinxes flanking the obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle on the Victoria Embankment. The sphinxes are cast in bronze to frame the obelisk. The 18-metre obelisk was brought to London from Alexandria in 1877, although it had been
Cinema · Books · London · Observations · Humour
“He was charming. He was the only actor who played Sherlock Holmes who bothered to get in touch with me and come to see me. All this time he would ring me up and ask my opinion. He took criticism very well and never tried to justify himself.” Jean Conan
NB! · London · Pop Culture · Humour
NB! · London · Observations · Society
Tractors have blockaded Westminster. English farmers: complete understanding and respect
NB! · In the Press · The East · London · Monarchies · Society
Art · London · Science
At Sotheby’s Old Masters sale in London, the top lot was the painting "Madonna and Child Enthroned" by Sandro Botticelli. The picture sold for £10.9 million, more than four times its estimate, becoming the fifth most expensive work by Botticelli ever sold at auction. The work
Cinema · London · Monarchies
At the outset the 24-year-old Hepburn was not even considered for the part of Princess Anne in William Wyler's romantic comedy; the leading contenders were Elizabeth Taylor and Jean Simmons. Nor, for that matter, was the 37-year-old Gregory Peck certain to land the male
Coming Up · Faith · Art · London
It is, perhaps, the most beautiful of the known portraits of Saint Sebastian created by El Greco. The saint is shown against an overcast, clouded sky at the moment of revelation, his questioning and submissive gaze turned upwards, his slightly parted lips symbolising divine communion, while the calm of his
Archive · Art · London · Society
Sympathy for the sorrows of a once great lady. Cartoon by Tom Merry. 28 November 1891 Old Mother Britannia, impoverished by liberal reforms, and her Lion beg for alms against the backdrop of a ruined Palace of Westminster
NB! · Cinema · London · Pop Culture · Society Pages
Hugh Bonneville has posted a photo of the greatest British actors of our time at the celebration of Noël Coward's 125th anniversary: Derek Jacobi, 86, Judi Dench, nearly 90, Ian McKellen, 85. The dinosaurs are still in the ranks 💥
Books · London · Monarchies · Observations · Education
Queen Camilla of England has become a Doctor of Letters of the University of London. The doctoral robe was placed on her shoulders by the Princess Royal, Anne. True, Camilla is patron of several organisations that maintain and promote literacy, visits schools, libraries and businesses to popularise these programmes, is
London · Monarchies · Observations · Society
Strange reading, and, as usual, on the word of unnamed sources. Ah, those masters of journalism! As for Trump, on the contrary, according to many courtiers, and indeed to any attentive observer, it is clear that the Queen was fond of Trump because he was unretouched and genuine during his