Gyles delights and moves the audience at The Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 12 December about his friendship with our late Queen. His speech brought tears to most of the eyes in the room.

Mary Beard delights The Oldie Literary Lunch on her latest book Emperor of Rome. The lunch was held at The National Liberal Club on Tuesday 12th December.

The Duke of Beaufort lit up yesterday's Oldie Literary Lunch on Tuesday 12th December at The National Liberal Club with anecdotes about his privileged life.  The Duke wrote his memoir in lockdown in Badminton with nothing else much to do but weekly estate meetings on covid-related matters. He said the problem is 'he rivals Sleeping Beauty' and is inherently lazy, but in lockdown with nothing else to do - no parties, golf or rock band to play in - he knuckled down and wrote his memoir.  He provides insights in living in a stately home and managing a large estate in the vanishing traditions of the aristocracy. Some of the stories in his book cover his friendsL actors, politicians and even royalty.  The Duke said he found himself on stage today with a new super groups Beaufort, Beard and Brandreth! Adventures apart, what really means the most to The Duke in his life, is family and friends, having explored sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll.  Of sex, he wished he had had more of it; of drugs, he wished he had had less and of Rock 'n' Roll - never enough. 

Jilly Cooper on her latest bonkbuster Tackle at The Oldie's November Literary Lunch 2023