SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: We’re so happy Pa’s better, says a grateful Prince Charles in Athens 

He may have been thousands of miles away in Greece this week, but Prince Charles’s thoughts were clearly closer to home — for I can reveal that HRH had a private meeting with the Mayor of Athens which dwelt on the welfare of the Duke of Edinburgh.

My royal source tells me that following a traditional exchange of gifts, the Mayor of Athens Kostas Bakoyannis and Prince Charles exchanged poignant words. After the mayor passed on his best wishes to the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles thanked him and replied: ‘It really is wonderful that he is better.’

Prince Philip, 99, is said to be in good spirits after spending 28 nights in hospital — his longest ever stay — and is recuperating at Windsor Castle.

Prince Charles met with the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, right, where the Prince of Wales spoke about his father’s recovery  

Prince Charles and Camilla were in Athens to celebrate the bicentenary of Greece's independence

Prince Charles and Camilla were in Athens to celebrate the bicentenary of Greece’s independence 

Prince Philip, pictured, here in 1930 aged 9, was born on the Greek Island of Corfu in 1921

Prince Philip, pictured, here in 1930 aged 9, was born on the Greek Island of Corfu in 1921

Charles spoke movingly of his close family ties to the country and talked of the ‘quite a bit of Greek blood that’s flowing round me’ — a reference to his paternal grandfather, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark.

   

More from Sebastian Shakespeare for the Daily Mail…

Philip was born a prince of Greece and Denmark, allegedly on the kitchen table of his family home, Mon Repos, on the Greek island of Corfu, in 1921. 

However, he was exiled from the country when he was a child. After being educated in France, Germany and the UK, he joined the Royal Navy in 1939, aged 18. Before his engagement to Princess Elizabeth in 1947, he abandoned his Greek and Danish titles.

On his visit, Prince Charles talked about an old photo of his father as a child dressed up as an Evzone guard, which he liked so much he had given a framed copy to the Presidential Guard in Athens.

Prince Charles was presented by the Mayor with a replica of a 1790s engraving depicting a polo match taking place on the ground below the Acropolis, and was also given the country’s highest distinction — the Gold Medal of Honour. ‘I didn’t realise, even at my age, I’d actually win a gold medal, so I’m even more grateful,’ the Prince, 72, joked.

Noel’s girl Anais has reality in the frame

Anais Gallagher has been asked to shoot the new Coca Cola campaign

Anais Gallagher has been asked to shoot the new Coca Cola campaign

Noel Gallagher’s photographer daughter, Anais, admits she’s ‘incredibly lucky’ to have been asked to shoot the new Coca-Cola campaign, which was released this week.

But don’t expect the 21-year-old to follow in the footsteps of fellow celebrity offspring, Brooklyn Beckham, who shot a major campaign for Burberry aged 16.

‘I basically hate taking photos of models,’ declares Anais, daughter of the Oasis star, who took up photography after her agent suggested it to relieve her boredom while living in LA three years ago.

‘My agent said: “Why don’t you take photos of people?” I said: “Urgh! I hate everyone in LA, they’re all lame. LA’s full of models.

‘I like taking photos of people who have huge public personalities.’

From a prince to a pawper, why Sarah’s mad about Harry . . .

The trouble with Harry is that he’s just so cute and cuddly!

No, not the royal one, but the new four-legged friend of Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin, who dated the Duke of Sussex in 2016, before he met Meghan.

The new Harry in Sarah’s life is a dachshund- chihuahua cross who belongs to her brother, Tom.

‘Meet Harry,’ says the 31-year-old, sharing a picture of herself with the puppy while out in London. ‘Best way to start my morning was seeing him and my brother for park strolls in the sunshine. The simplest pleasures bring the most joy. I love him so much already.’

Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin

Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin

Burberry model Sarah Ann Macklin dated the Duke of Sussex in 2016, before he met Meghan. The new Harry in Sarah’s life is a dachshund- chihuahua cross who belongs to her brother, Tom

Prince Albert of Monaco has expressed misgivings about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s interview with Oprah Winfrey.

‘I can understand the pressures that they were under, but I think that this type of public display of dissatisfaction, these types of conversations, should be held within the intimate quarters of the family, and it doesn’t really have to be laid out in the public sphere like that,’ he says. ‘I think it wasn’t the appropriate forum.’

Tennis commentator and former Strictly star Andrew Castle is dancing on air after learning that he is to become a grandfather. The 57-year-old’s daughter, Claudia, 26, is three months pregnant by her former cricketer husband, Will Tavare, 31. ‘When I saw the scan of the baby I was very emotional — happiness but with tears,’ Andrew tells me. ‘After the horrible year so many of us have had, this is something to look forward to.’ 

Stand by me… Mr and Mrs West are all smiles

The Affair star Dominic West and his wife, Catherine FitzGerald, are still keen to put on a united front after the Old Etonian was spotted cavorting with actress Lily James in Rome last autumn.

The couple, who have four children, were a picture of conjugal bliss in a snap published yesterday on the social media account of Glin Castle — the Irish ancestral home belonging to Catherine — as a promotional tactic for the venue, which can be hired for up to £6,000 a night.

Catherine — who is pictured smiling, with an arm around Dominic’s waist — stood by him over the dalliance with Lily. ‘Our marriage is strong and we’re very much still together,’ she insisted.

Dominic West and his wife Catherine FitzGerald were photographed on this image promoting her ancestral home Glin Castle

Dominic West and his wife Catherine FitzGerald were photographed on this image promoting her ancestral home Glin Castle

Already loved by the creme de la creme of society, The River Cafe in Hammersmith has now been given the ultimate tribute. Hollywood director J.J. Abrams, who had a regular table there while shooting Star Wars in London, has sent the owner, Ruth Rogers, a 520-piece Lego rendering of the Italian restaurant which he created himself. The virtual set, which can be played on a computer, includes a Ruth Rogers figurine wielding lobster. ‘Sometimes a great friend knows just what you need,’ says Ruth.