“Fifteen minutes before the Duke of York is due to arrive, and I am fretting about a serious breach of protocol. Prince Andrew’s press secretary has called ahead to say that he, the private secretary and the British consul-general for New York will accompany the duke. Given the unexpected crowd, Buckingham Palace is offering to pay. The rules of Lunch, or Dinner, with the FT are clear: we pick up the tab. They say nothing, however, about dinner for five.
Fortunately, the staff at Harry Cipriani is used to last-minute accommodations for demanding guests. The maître d’ agrees that two bills can be prepared: one for the FT and the fourth in line to the throne; one for his retinue.
Cipriani, on the south-east corner of Central Park, is made for Manhattan royalty. The compact but open room seems designed for a court of publishers, dealmakers and admen who are there to be seen. I have been briefed that the duke doesn’t go for flashy restaurants, and I assume a discreet private room has been booked. Instead, we have been given the VIP table, slap bang in the middle of the crowded room. Shows of power are everywhere, as one man gives another a painful-looking back slap, Botoxed cheeks are kissed and the maître d’ makes small talk with his regulars.”
Read the full article here at FT.Com
I wonder if, Prince Andrew, dubbed Air Miles Andy for the amount of time he spends flying round the world, flew himself to New York in one of his “on-tap” helicopters?
