Whilst the rabble goes to hell, the royals go to hotels. Prince Charles and Camilla the missus dug in last weekend at the Adlon in Berlin. Listen, we all understand that a break’s needed from a castle’s household drudgery. So exhausting jumping over that moat and everything.
Michael Jackson once dangled his baby over the balcony of an Adlon room. Also, be it known, the historic hotel opened 1907 under the watch of Charles’ first cousin thrice removed, Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Now, causing Brits to flap those stiff upper lips is Lady Colin Campbell, who’s done books on Diana plus Prince Harry and his me-me-Meghan. Closer to royals than their jewelers, she gives Netflix episodes of “The Crown” a royal flush.
“Prince Charles’ succession cannot be trampled. No stepping aside. Right of succession is automatic, not elective. Prince of Wales is the heir. If he’s dead, it goes to William.
“Camilla’s shown grace under pressure. Tactical at the time they married, her title was to be princess consort. She’d be perfect as queen. Loyal, loving to him, she wanted the man, not the position. Diana even said she expected Charles to be with Camilla.
“‘The Crown’ is rubbish saying on Diana and Charles’ early Australia trip he was furious and jealous of her attention. No. She couldn’t handle it. He was concerned she’d throw up. Knowing she’s disturbed and had difficulty with the pressure, the queen even asked them to lay off Diana, who was only 21.
“Projecting the palace as heartless, cruel, ‘The Crown’ distorts things. Success requires sacrifice. Professionalism is abnegation. Nonindulgence. Everyone successful learns to keep emotions in check. That’s the duty of the royals.
“And portraying Prince Philip’s philandering aboard royal yacht Britannia. Taking females onto it. Having it off with naked girls. Impossible aboard that ship. It’s impenetrable. Security. Watchers. Guys. Photographers. Press. Local officials. Philip always watched. Protected. Accompanied. Naval officers. This oceanic bit, beautifully portrayed, is simply unrealistic. People don’t understand how it works with royals.
“They indicate the official photographer read his private letters. That man, now gone, was my great friend. I know that not to be true. And Britain’s late reporter Nigel Dempster, furious that he never received a knighthood, also furthered false stories. The palace is surrounded by unscrupulous people.”
Tracking the political dough
The presidential election’s heavyweight donors: Vegas’ Sheldon Adelson gave the GOP $183 million. Fort Knox’s Bloomberg gave all but his shorts to the Dems. San Fran’s Tom Steyer $68,028,056 (Dem), the Uihleins of Illinois $65,572,833 (GOP), Wyoming’s Mellon $65,089,155 (mostly GOP), Chicago’s Ken Griffin $46,329,334 (mostly GOP), Blackstone’s Schwarzman $30,467,100 (mostly GOP), Florida’s S. Donald Sussman $26,370,200 (Dem), Jeffrey & Janine Yass $25,343,700 (GOP), Karla Jurvetson $24,928,907 (Dem), NY’s Jim & Marilyn Simons $24,117,674 (Dem), Florida’s Laura Perlmutter $23,900,600 (GOP), ex-Facebooker Moskovitz $23,768,012 (Dem), Newsweb’s Fred Eychaner $19,043,300 (Dem), Atlanta’s Marcuses $17,729,802 (mostly GOP), Bekensteins of Massachusetts $16,115,587 (Dem), Little Rock’s Warren Stephens $14,093,000 (GOP), San Fran’s Charles Schwab $13,260,200 (GOP), Dallas’ Kelcy Warren $12,948,989 (GOP), Omaha’s John Ricketts $12,861,920 (mostly GOP), Mr. & Mrs. George Marcus of Palo Alto $12,778,945 (Dem). Plus the Mandels of Connecticut $15,437,002 (Dem).
Film to give holiday cheer
Just letting you know that a nice happy post-Thanksgiving holidayish fun film’s coming our way. “The Stand-In.”
Stars are Drew Barrymore and Holland Taylor. Rated a little bit R, it’s got colorful language, sexual references and drug use. Not to rush — you have time because it’s not out until Dec. 11 in select theaters, on demand and digital.
Dem did it
Now that the election seems finally over, we can have more respect for Adam Bull-Schiff, who seems to have done the work of two men — Laurel and Hardy.
And not said only in New York, kids, only in New York.