EPHRAIM HARDCASTLE: King Charles, having apparently bonded with Angela Rayner at one of his Scottish piles Dumfries House this year, has the Deputy PM to Buck House….Read More

King Charles, having met and apparently bonded with Angela Rayner at one of his Scottish piles Dumfries House in September, had the Deputy PM to Buck House on Wednesday.

Charles, who aides say has taken a shine to Angela, was trying to persuade her – not entirely successfully – of the virtues of beauty when approving planning applications.

Monitoring closely the manoeuvres to return the Elgin Marbles, the King may be wondering if he might have to give up the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

Although the British Museum Act of 1963 prevents it giving away anything in its possession, the King’s vast Royal Collection of art, jewellery, furniture, decorative arts and costume – the largest in private ownership in the world – has no such restrictions.

Legal advice deems that the collection is the monarch’s to do with as he pleases.

But with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi about to wage a diplomatic campaign for the diamond’s return, pressure to relinquish the priceless bauble (not used at the coronation to avoid a row) will intensify if the Greeks get their way.