SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Princes’ pal Harry Meade battles back after horrific riding fall 

He’ll never be able to forget the ‘natives and colonials’ party — and the furore caused by the Nazi uniform — whilst in the last few months he has had to endure a very bumpy ride.

But, proving that you really can put it all behind you, Harry’s saddled up once more.

No, not Prince Harry, but his namesake, fellow Old Etonian and old friend, equestrian Harry Meade, at whose 22nd fancy dress birthday party the Duke of Sussex turned up in an Afrika Korps uniform, with a swastika on one arm.

No, not Prince Harry, but his namesake, fellow Old Etonian and old friend, equestrian Harry Meade, at whose 22nd fancy dress birthday party the Duke of Sussex turned up in an Afrika Korps uniform, with a swastika on one arm

Meade, son of the late Olympic gold medallist Richard Meade, sustained potentially life-changing injuries last October competing at Thoresberton where he fell at the third fence.

As he did so, one of his feet became trapped in the stirrup. His horse galloped on, with Meade hurtling along the ground and being repeatedly kicked in the head.

He’d sustained a suspected fracture to his jaw, as well as numerous other injuries to his face, neck and shoulders — plus a broken right arm. His journey back to full health has been far from straightforward.

‘He twice started riding and twice had to back off,’ says his support staff. ‘The brain starts to shut down with very little warning and the only remedy is to go straight to sleep. However, we are thankful that the thinking part of his brain has been unaffected.

Meade, son of the late Olympic gold medallist Richard Meade, sustained potentially life-changing injuries last October competing at Thoresberton where he fell at the third fence

Meade, son of the late Olympic gold medallist Richard Meade, sustained potentially life-changing injuries last October competing at Thoresberton where he fell at the third fence

‘We’re aware that this is a still an ongoing process and improvements will continue over the course of the rest of the year. The great thing is that thanks to the hard work and patience of those involved in his rehab he is back doing what he does best.’

So much so that Meade is planning to be back in business as from today, when he is due to take part at a training event at Aston-le-Walls, in readiness for the elite eventing season which begins in earnest next month.

Doubtless he’ll be cheered on by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were among the guests when Meade married Rosie Bradford in 2010. 

Perhaps the other Harry will manage a thumbs-up all the way from California.

No slobbing around in pyjamas chez Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as he has refused to let his sartorial and domestic standards slip during the pandemic.

The foppish Changing Rooms presenter says: ‘I’m a big believer in the ceremony of eating, and during lockdown we treated meals quite formally, particularly Sunday lunch. 

‘We’d eat in the dining room on a table laid with a nice cloth, our best cutlery, napkins and decorated with an arrangement of freshly picked flowers. 

‘Sartorially, we also became a bit dressy, not to show off to others but because, simply, we thought, “Hey, we’re worth it”.’

Is Rod flirting with politics?

Ladies’ man Sir Rod Stewart has singled out the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, for lavish praise.

Ladies’ man Sir Rod Stewart has singled out the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern (pictured), for lavish praise

Ladies’ man Sir Rod Stewart has singled out the prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern (pictured), for lavish praise

During a Zoom call with her husband of seven years, radio presenter Clarke Gayford, the rocker said: ‘How’s the missus? I must say she has the most gorgeous smile in the whole world.'

During a Zoom call with her husband of seven years, radio presenter Clarke Gayford, the rocker said: ‘How’s the missus? I must say she has the most gorgeous smile in the whole world.’

During a Zoom call with her husband of seven years, radio presenter Clarke Gayford, the rocker said: ‘How’s the missus? I must say she has the most gorgeous smile in the whole world. Will you tell her that from me and we’ll have a drink together when I get down there.’

He added: ‘I’ve loved New Zealand and Australia because I’ve been touring there since the early ’70s, but of course you know I was married to Rachel Hunter.

‘Whenever Rachel did go down there, I had to walk two paces behind like the Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen. She was more important than I was.’

Broadcaster and mother-of-two Mariella Frostrup admits she had quite the surprise on Mother’s Day. 

Her children — Molly, 17, and Danny, 16 — gave her large yellow gloves for cleaning the house with. ‘I’m hoping it’s ironic,’ Frostrup says of the gift.

She could always pass them on to her husband, Jason McCue, on Father’s Day.

Dame Joan pays emotional tribute to ‘brave goddaughter’

Dame Joan Collins is in mourning for her goddaughter Milica Kastner who has died aged 49 from cancer.

‘May you rest in peace my beautiful brave goddaughter,’ says Dame Joan in an emotional tribute.

‘You fought a great fight and I admire you so much for your strength. You are with the angels now and you have always been an angel.’

Mother-of-two Milicia, the daughter of Hollywood producer Elliott Kastner and interior designer Tessa Kennedy, counted Robbie Williams and Jemima Goldsmith among her friends.

She had a gilded upbringing in Los Angeles and one of her earliest memories was spending Easter at Frank Sinatra’s house in Palm Springs. 

‘Grace Kelly, the Grants [Cary, not Hugh], the Pecks and Roger and Luisa Moore were all there,’ she once recalled.

Sienna: life really does begin at 40!

Most Hollywood stars fear the ageing process, but actress Sienna Miller claims she’s embracing maturity as she approaches her fifth decade.

Most Hollywood stars fear the ageing process, but actress Sienna Miller claims she’s embracing maturity as she approaches her fifth decade

Most Hollywood stars fear the ageing process, but actress Sienna Miller claims she’s embracing maturity as she approaches her fifth decade

‘I’m going to be 40 at the very end of this year and I don’t feel it,’ explains the Layer Cake star.

‘Forty felt so old when I was younger, and now there is a kind of settledness — less anxiety and you feel a bit more secure in who you are. So I’m kind of looking forward to it.

‘You don’t care as much what people think.

‘It’s a relief.’

While Jamie Oliver’s restaurant empire has taken a hit, his wife, Jools, is doing her bit to bring home the bacon.

She reveals she’s re-launching her unisex childrenswear brand, Little Bird, next week.

‘After spending so much time at home over the last year, I wanted this to be about adventure,’ says mother-of-five Jools, whose line will be sold at Next following its previous partnership with Mothercare before the chain closed in 2019.

‘Seeking new ways to explore and play, even if that’s in the garden or close to home, I’ve tried to create easy-to-wear, comfortable pieces I hope will become new favourites.’

Body guru Joe reveals crisps and cakes binges 

He’s made millions through his fitness brand, The Body Coach, but Joe Wicks admits not all is what it seems.

He’s made millions through his fitness brand, The Body Coach, but Joe Wicks admits not all is what it seems

He’s made millions through his fitness brand, The Body Coach, but Joe Wicks admits not all is what it seems

‘People assume that I’m always happy, I’m always patient with my kids, I’m always buzzing and motivated — but I’m not,’ says the 34-year-old. 

‘Sometimes I’m impatient, sometimes I’m snappy, and sometimes I wake up and I do not want to film. I just want to go round the shop — and I did it today — and buy cookies and crisps and cakes from the bakery. My day didn’t go well and I thought, “I’m just going to go and eat.” I have those days. I’m not hiding it.

‘I think it’s important people know I’m not always Mr Motivator. I’ve got a two-year-old kid and a one-year-old kid and I don’t sleep sometimes. I wake up and I’m like, “I’m not The Body Coach. I’m half a shadow of myself.” ’

How about this for a piece of private-school one-upmanship? 

Stowe, the £38,000-per-year boarding school set in a stately home in Buckinghamshire, has recruited former England rugby captain Dylan Hartley as mentor to sporty pupils. 

A spokesman says: ‘The Stowe Group is delighted to announce that Dylan Hartley is going to be working with us.’ Hartley, 34, retired in 2019, explaining the toll the game had taken: ‘Rugby is great for the soul, but terrible for the body.’