A row between Emmanuel Macron’s government and the US ambassador to Paris has deepened after the American envoy ignored a summons to meet the French foreign minister.

Charles Kushner – the father of Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner – had been told to meet Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday evening to explain his recent comments about the killing of a far-right activist in Lyon.

Instead, Mr Kushner said he had a prior engagement and sent a deputy.

An indignant Mr Barrot described the no-show as a “surprise”, adding: “It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country.”

The minister also said the US ambassador will not have access to members of the French government until he complies. His ministry accused Kushner of an “apparent failure to grasp the basic requirements of the ambassadorial mission”.

The row began after US comments in social media posts about the death of student Quentin Deranque, 23, who was beaten during a clash between far-right and far-left groups earlier this month.

Following the death, the US state department’s counterterrorism bureau posted on X that “reports, corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior, that Quentin Deranque was killed by left-wing militants, should concern us all”.

It added that “violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety”.

The US Embassy in Paris posted the same statement in French.

Paris responded by saying it rejected any attempts to use the incident “for political ends”. Mr Barrot insisted France “must have an explanation” of the comments from Mr Kushner, adding: “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate.”

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On Saturday, some 3,000 people joined a march in memory of Mr Deranque, 23, whose killing has highlighted deep political tensions in France.

Mr Kushner was previously summoned by French officials last August after his letter alleging the country did not do enough to combat antisemitism.

He did not show up and French officials met with a representative instead.

The 71-year-old businessman was controversially named US ambassador to France by Donald Trump last year.

In 2020, he was pardoned by Mr Trump after pleading guilty to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations years earlier.

The US president had known Mr Kushner from real estate circles and their children, Ivanka and Jared, married in 2019.

Ramsbottom Kitchen Company, founded by David and Tracey Peace in 1996, has become a long-standing name in bespoke kitchen design and installation.

They have customers across the North West, including Bury, Bolton, Manchester and Lancashire.

The company originally started on Back Square Street in Ramsbottom but moved to a 15,000 sq ft showroom on Union Street in 2003.

Three generations of the Peace family have worked for the company (Image: Supplied)

Tracey Peace, co-founder of Ramsbottom Kitchen Company, said: “When we first opened in 1996 our plan was simple, to create beautiful kitchens built to last and by doing that we’ve also created a business built to last.

“I’d like to thank our customers who have put their faith in us during that time, all our staff from over the last three decades, the local community in Ramsbottom and our family and friends for their support.”

A true family affair, the company has seen three generations of the Peace family working at the business during its three decades.

Ramsbottom Kitchen Company has completed thousands of kitchens with the same commitment to craftsmanship, attention to detail and customer service that it had at the start – leading to its success and growth year on year.

Its efforts have been recognised within the industry, earning accolades including the Neff Masterpartner and Best Showroom awards twice.

David Peace, co-founder, said: “If you’d told me when we first opened that we would still be here 30 years later, I’m not sure I would have believed you, but I am incredibly proud that we are.

“I don’t think I need to tell anyone how hard it is to make a business a success and we’ve seen it all during that time – financial crashes and pandemics and even a fire at the shop – but thanks to hard work and our commitment to providing great kitchens and great customer we’ve created a real local family success story.

“Here’s to the next 30 years of Ramsbottom Kitchen Company.”

To find out more go to: https://www.ramsbottomkitchens.co.uk/ 

The traffic management measures have been introduced on the A56 Manchester Road in Ramsbottom near Park Farm to allow emergency works to be carried out.

Bury Council says this is in response to an ongoing landslip which has created a dangerous dip in the road surface.

Cllr Alan Quinn, Bury Council cabinet member for the environment and climate change, said: “These emergency measures are essential to ensure public safety while we address the impact of the landslip.

“We appreciate the patience and understanding of motorists and residents as we work to stabilise the area and keep the route open in the safest way possible.”

The authority says the landslip has prompted the installation of temporary traffic signals to protect road users while remedial works take place.

These signals will remain in place until minor surfacing and lining works can be completed.

Contractors have patched sections of the carriageway, and lining will be carried out to mark out the new lanes.

Once these works are complete, the road will return to two-way traffic within a narrowed carriageway layout designed to keep vehicles safely away from the affected area of the slip.

As well as immediate safety measures, the council’s traffic team is preparing a Traffic Regulation Order to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph along this stretch of the A56.

They say this temporary reduction is intended to improve safety for all road users while investigations continue, and long-term stabilisation solutions are developed.

The council says a long-term solution is likely to involve major engineering works to support the highway, the scale and scope of which will be determined by ongoing ground investigation.

Officials say lower speeds will help minimise risks and ensure that drivers can navigate the altered road layout safely.

Further questions and answers can be found online at Bury Council’s website.

The Bluebirds forward has hit a rich vein of form and Bluebirds supporters want him back next year – and beyond

Omari Kellyman has admitted he has seen Cardiff City fans urging him to stay, but insists his long-term aim remains breaking through at Chelsea.

The 20-year-old attacking midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, has been one of the standout performers for Cardiff City as they chase promotion from League One, scoring three goals and adding an assist in his last six outings.

Kellyman has really helped to fill the void left by Yousef Salech’s neck injury last month, going up a level or two having been deployed centrally by Brian Barry-Murphy, keeping Callum Robinson out in the process. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community.

While his two goals in a losing cause at Plymouth Argyle point to his technical prowess, Cardiff fans have rightly praised him in recent weeks for seeing an improvement in his physically and pressing from the front.

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Speaking to The Athletic, Kellyman made clear just how much the move to south Wales has meant to him after an injury-ravaged first season at Stamford Bridge.

“It is a great environment to be in,” he said. “This is my first real season in men’s football where I am playing every week. I have learnt a lot about myself and the game. I am grateful to be here and show Chelsea what I can do. It has kind of been my first real opportunity to do that.”

The former Aston Villa youngster endured a nightmare 2024-25 campaign, with what was initially diagnosed as a 12-week hamstring injury turning into more than six months on the sidelines.

“It was like a downward spiral of events,” he admitted. “Any time I felt I was back on my feet, something else would happen. That 12 weeks turned into 25 to 26 weeks of not playing. That whole time, I was ready to fight for my spot in my head, but the body just couldn’t.”

Kellyman revealed he struggled with criticism on social media during that period, particularly after undergoing surgery.

“It was hard not to pick up my phone when I was injured and see what people were saying about me. I got to a point where I didn’t feel I was a player anymore,” he said. “After having a whole season being in the shadows, it is good to feel wanted again.”

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And that feeling has been amplified by the reception he has received from Bluebirds supporters, both online and in person.

This season, he has endeared himself to City supporters to no end. To such an extent, in fact, that Cardiff fans hope they can have him back next season.

If Cardiff do achieve promotion, perhaps another loan might be beneficial to all parties once again. However, supporters asking him to commit to Cardiff long term might be left disappointed.

“I have seen those,” he said when asked about fans encouraging him to sign permanently. “Even coming out of the stadium, I can hear them saying it. It is great.

“But I signed for Chelsea, and I want to play for Chelsea, that is the end goal.”

Kellyman also credited Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy for giving him the freedom to express himself in his preferred No 10 role. For now, however, his focus is firmly on helping Cardiff secure promotion. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.

“He has given me licence to express myself, but also helped the other side of my game,” he said. “Our style of play and pressing is really aggressive. I have improved a lot on that since being here.

“Getting promoted to the Championship is a dream scenario, but we all have the desire to win the title too. After everything they have done for me, going up as champions is the goal. Cardiff fans deserve it.”

—

*Sign up to our daily Bluebirds newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here. Cardiff City correspondent Glen Williams is also on social media. He can be found on his X account here, on Instagram, on TikTok and on Facebook.

Senne Lammens is having an excellent first season at Manchester United and he again proved his worth with an outstanding performance at Everton.

There wasn’t anything subtle about Everton’s corner routines last night, but then there isn’t much subtlety around anybody’s approach to corners in the Premier League at the moment, not while officials have been given the green light to let players turn the six-yard box into a WWE ring.

All 10 of the Toffees’ corners followed a similar pattern. Pile bodies into that box, surround the Manchester United goalkeeper, and send in a cross right on top of that stramash. And most of them followed a similar pattern once they had been delivered. Senne Lammens would find a way through the mayhem to get something on the ball and get it out of the danger area.

David Moyes was asked about Everton’s approach to corners after he had seen Benjamin Sesko’s goal settle the game. What was the thinking? “That the goalie wouldn’t do as well as he did,” said Moyes.

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The Scot went on to call Lammens “bloody brilliant”, and it was hard to disagree with the sentiment. This was another thorough test for the 23-year-old, one he handled confidently and calmly. Rarely can he have been put through the kind of aerial examinations that he has been this season, but with every passing game he is looking like one of the signings of the season, a snip at £18.2million from Royal Antwerp.

Goalkeeping scout Tony Coton is getting his flowers for urging United to take a chance on the Belgian, who had just 55 games in Belgium’s top flight under his belt. Director of football Jason Wilcox and director of recruitment Christopher Vivell also deserve praise for following Coton’s instincts rather than granting Ruben Amorim his wish to sign the vastly more experienced Emiliano Martinez.

It is a decision that is paying off handsomely. Michael Carrick used the words “calmness” and “composure” to describe Lammens at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and those traits are obvious. He delivered a similar performance at Arsenal in Carrick’s second game in charge, dealing with the Gunners’ set-piece threat by again coming to claim and clear what he could.

That performance was appreciated by his teammates, and defenders love a goalkeeper who has the confidence to come for crosses, corners and, in this Premier League season, long throws. But if he comes and makes a mess of it, that trust will quickly evaporate.

It felt like that position had been reached with United’s other contenders for the No.1 spot this season. In December 2024, Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana both conceded direct from corners in the space of eight days. Onana looked jittery every time a cross came into his box and Bayindir blundered on the opening day of the season, gifting Arsenal a win at Old Trafford.

In this Premier League season, when it seems anything goes in the penalty area, there is every chance that Onana and Bayindir would have felt it was too tough to handle. United needed a change.

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In Lammens, they got the perfect answer. He is young and open to improvement given his relative inexperience, but his nature and his confidence have spread calm to the defence in front of him at a time when stress is often the order of the day in Premier League penalty areas.

Carrick spoke about Lammens’ step up at Everton on Monday night. Swapping Royal Antwerp’s Bosuilstadion, with an average attendance of around 13,500, for Manchester United and Old Trafford is a culture shock. But the goalkeeper has taken it like a duck to water.

“A major part of it is the character and the personality, and that is a major attribute to have, especially playing here,” said Carrick. “The jump that he’s had is a huge jump, and to take it as he has done and just get on with things speaks volumes of his personality, and he’s able to just deal with the environment and play at that level.”

The final 15 minutes on Merseyside might have been the most obvious example of the change in the United goal. Five of those 10 corners came after the 75th minute, as well as a barrage of crosses, and you could sense the pressure building.

“That was a tough place, that last 15 minutes,” said Carrick. “The amount of crosses and corners and things that he had to deal with and a couple of shots that he just catches and takes the sting out of it. So to be able to do that in such a manner is obviously pleasing for us.”

It was an outcome that would have felt unthinkable a year ago, when there was so much uncertainty around United goalkeepers. Now, Lammens could have potentially settled that debate for a decade.

The York Health and Arts Mela will be held in Museum Gardens on Sunday, May 17, from 10am to 5pm.

It will be the third Mela to be held in York following successful festivals in 2023 and 2025 which attracted thousands of people to the city.

Mela festivals began in South India – the word means ‘gathering’ in Hindi – but have become common in major cities across the UK.

In York, the free-to-attend festival will combine health, wellbeing, arts and culture.

The day will begin with a group Bollywood dance designed to get people of all ages moving, followed by a varied programme of activities.

Live performances throughout the day will feature Ebor Morris Dancers, Richard Shephard’s School Choir, Miz Deeba and the East Asian Ensemble, alongside a range of other local artists and community groups. Free henna, face painting and arts and crafts will also be available for children.

Around 25 organisations from the NHS, wellbeing sector and arts community will be on site offering information and advice about services available in York.

Organisers said visitors may even spot special guests such as Plucky the Chicken and Spider-Man who will be making appearances during the day.

A wide variety of food stalls will also offer cuisine from around the world, including Indian, Afro-Caribbean and Afghan dishes, alongside traditional favourites such as fish and chips, pizzas and sweet treats.

For more information, visit the Mela’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

The government has published its proposals for education reform in England, which have been delayed since autumn 2025 and include significant changes to how the special educational needs and disabilities (Send) system operates. Further measures are aimed at improving teacher recruitment, student achievement and belonging at school. Our panel of education experts are scrutinising the plans, which have been anxiously anticipated by many teachers and parents.

A fundamental shift in SEND support

Paty Paliokosta, Associate Professor of Special and Inclusive Education, Kingston University

The government is proposing a gradual but fundamental shift in how the system uses education, health and care plans (EHCPs). EHCPs will remain, but far fewer children are expected to receive them. The first children with an existing EHCP to move to the new system would be pupils at the end of primary, secondary and post-16 in the academic year 2029-2030.

Instead, most support is intended to take place through a strengthened universal offer (support available to all children) and several layers of extra provision, only one of which will include an EHCP. The aim is to reduce the pressures that have made EHCPs the perceived, default route for help and promote a universally inclusive approach. This will succeed if the new layers are credible, consistent and properly resourced.

The introduction of nationally defined specialist provision packages marks a major change. These will determine the support available to children with the most complex needs and will form the basis of future EHCPs. Alongside this, individual support plans will outline day‑to‑day provision for all children receiving extra help, co‑produced with families.

In principle, this could create a more coherent system, based on inclusive values, which is very welcome. In practice, this needs to reflect on capacity. Schools cannot deliver more without the time, training and specialist expertise that have been in chronic short supply.

The proposal to reassess children’s entitlements to support at ages 11 and 16 is especially significant. These are critical transition points already associated with anxiety, academic pressure and identity changes.

Unless reassessment is handled with sensitivity – and backed by genuine specialist involvement – it risks introducing uncertainty precisely when stability is most needed. For many families, reassessment may feel like a potential removal of support, despite this not being the intention.

The open government consultation on the proposals is therefore crucial. It must test not only the design of these reforms but their real‑world viability. If the new layers of support do not arrive before EHCP access is tightened, families will simply experience another cycle of promises unsupported by provision. The system cannot afford another misfire.

Ending the postcode lottery

Jonathan Glazzard, Rosalind Hollis Professor of Education for Social Justice, University of Hull

The government hopes to end the postcode lottery of support and restore families’ confidence in the special educational needs and disabilities system. New national inclusion standards will set out the support that should be available in every mainstream setting. Statutory individual support plans will include key information about the child’s needs and the day-to-day provision in place to address these for all pupils with Send.

All staff will benefit from national Send training, supported by record investment of over £200 million. £1.6 billion will enable schools, colleges and early years settings to deliver an improved inclusion offer. In addition, £3.7 billion will be invested to make buildings more accessible, create more special school places and develop inclusion bases in mainstream schools.

£1.8 billion will be allocated to fund an “experts at hand” service to improve access to speech and language therapists, educational psychologists and occupational therapists in mainstream schools.

In total the government plans to invest £7 billion more on Send, and core funding for schools and Send is expected to increase annually.

There is much to consider but on the surface the investment and vision look promising. There is a clear commitment to inclusive mainstream education, a determination to improve outcomes for children with Send and a desire to “call time” on a broken Send system.

More support for the youngest children

Cate Carroll, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences and Professor of Education and Pedagogy, Liverpool Hope University

Today’s policy announcements recognise the critical period of early years education. The investment of over £200 million in the Best Start Family Hub network, meaning that hubs will have dedicated expertise in Send and a staff member to act as an outreach and support person, is welcome. It begins to rebuild the local hubs formerly known as Sure Start, which made a real difference to children’s lives.

The policy focuses on families as the primary educators of children – they are placed at the centre of the child’s home and school experience. This is important because parents know their children and are the best advocates for their needs.

Sometimes, though, ensuring a fair partnership in the conversation between parents and professionals can be difficult. Parents are experts about their children, while professionals bring expertise aligned with their profession and training.

The funding targeted towards early identification of children who have special educational needs and disabilities is also vital. International research backs early intervention as key to ensuring that children’s learning and development needs are appropriately identified. More often that not, this is identified in nurseries, so it is critical that this funding captures this phase of education in addition to schools.

This comes with the challenge of training staff working with children in the early years foundation stage so they are appropriately qualified to identify additional needs. By the time children start school, sometimes the interventions are too late to enable them to achieve and thrive.

Closing the attainment gap

Stephen Gorard, Professor of Education and Public Policy, Durham University

The government is pledging to halve the poverty attainment gap during its term. The attainment gap is the difference in scores between disadvantaged pupils and the rest, at key stage two (age 11) or key stage four (age 16).

This is both commendable and feasible. However, the government also plans to change the current definition of temporary disadvantage (ever eligible for free school meals in the past six years) to one based on low income over a sustained period of time.

Using the depth and duration and poverty is an improvement to the current situation that I have been advocating for many years. Using household income could also be an improvement on the binary threshold indicator of free school meals.

However, it is not then clear what the halving of the gap refers to. The gap as it stands does not use income but free school meals, so the pledge has not been meaningfully defined.

It is also not clear that the data available on household income is yet good enough quality to sustain real-life policy. The data is better for those families currently claiming benefits, but inaccurate for many others. Using the current data might simply disguise that the binary threshold is still being used.

More reactions to follow.

“The black market for medication sits outside of regulation and has no oversight, making it extremely dangerous. Products could contain the wrong active ingredients, different dosages to what’s advertised or best for you, or inactive substances meaning they won’t work or treat your underlying illness.

The Mirror’s Julia Banim visited the Woking branch of Pizza Express, best known as the alibi of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. And while the birthday parties are indeed continuing, it’s unlikely the former prince will be welcomed back for a slice anytime soon

The whole nation watched in awe as the King’s brother was arrested last week, but one humble British town was rocked by Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s fall from grace long before he was hurled into custody.

From the outside, this chain restaurant on an ordinary street looks like any other branch of Pizza Express. But this is The Pizza Express. The one that launched a thousand memes after unexpectedly providing an alibi for the former prince.

I am, of course, at Pizza Express Woking, the infamous venue of a birthday party allegedly attended by Princess Beatrice on March 10, 2001. Andrew says he took his eldest daughter to the bash, the same day Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffe claimed she first met and had sex with the then-duke.

The late whistleblower alleged they danced together at London’s Tramp nightclub before having sex at Ghislaine Maxwell’s mews house, but Andrew insists he was at the pizza parlour with his daughter. He has vehemently and consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with paedophile Epstein.

Andrew, 66, notoriously brought up this humdrum location during his 2019 ‘car crash’ interview with Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis, who pressed him on how he could remember such a mundane event from so long ago. With a slight smug smile, Andrew, then known as Prince Andrew, replied, “Because going to Pizza Express in Woking is an unusual thing for me to do, a very unusual thing to do.” One source claims Beatrice has “absolutely no recall whatsoever” of that specific birthday party in northwest Surrey, or of her dad picking her up.

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This turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of the ex-prince’s toe-curling interview, which continues to linger in the public consciousness. Behind the scenes, it’s been reported that Beatrice was ‘blindsided’ by Andrew’s decision to use her as an alibi, with reports that the furious princess had a heated discussion with him after the interview.

Now, following Andrew’s recent arrest and release, on suspicion of the unrelated offence of misconduct in public office, so-called diners have flooded the branch’s Google reviews page with jokey reflections of their visit. Referencing Andrew’s recent brush with the law, one reviewer deadpans, “Not really a review, but was just wondering, do you deliver to prison? Asking for a friend who loves your establishment. Thanks.”

With a note to Andrew’s apparent medical condition, which allegedly prevents him from sweating, another quipped, “I’ve never been, but my friend Andrew absolutely loves this establishment. Profuse sweating is an issue for him, but thanks to your world-class air conditioning, he didn’t sweat at all.”

As the former prince grapples with the ongoing police probe, I went for dinner at the infamous branch to see how staff are faring – and if locals ever believed the royal who claimed he couldn’t sweat…

For me, a visit to Pizza Express is nothing unusual. But a visit to the Woking branch most certainly is. It’s shortly after 6 pm on a slightly blustery Sunday evening that I arrive at the venue, and the air rings with clinking cutlery and upbeat pop music. The place is bustling, and it’s clear the restaurant’s reputation hasn’t suffered for being so closely tied to the most shocking royal scandal in living memory.

I’m left wondering whether this odd connection has actually been good for business. After all, is there a better-known branch anywhere on the British Isles? They do say any publicity is good publicity, and for local woman Karen Weir, the spotlight that the drama has shone on the town has been a welcome one. Karen told the Mirror: “I’ve lived in Woking a long time and it’s good to see Woking mentioned! But it doesn’t really bother me. I don’t see it as a negative.”

Not all locals are all too sure, however. After spending a few hours in the town centre, I become used to the familiar eye roll at the very mention of Andrew’s name, and the frustration that attention isn’t being paid to more pressing matters, such as rows of forlorn shuttered shops not far from that distinctive blue welcome to Woking sign.

For others in the area, the very notion that the Queen’s son was at Pizza Express on the night in question is nothing short of ridiculous. Pouring scorn on this narrative, Barbara was even more blunt, telling the Mirror: “I’m not embarrassed by it because I don’t believe it. I just don’t know why he’d do that, it’s ridiculous, because if he’d have been in there, Woking’s the sort of place where everyone knows what everyone’s doing. If he’d been in there, it would have been swamped. And people would have known about it straight away. There’s no way. There’s no way that man was in there that night. Absolutely no way.”

Over at Pizza Express, staff are busy but friendly, and quickly clean me up a cosy corner table. Admittedly, I do feel a little conspicuous. I’m the only solo diner amid a sea of family tables, many with young children. But if staff have been briefed on how to deal with curious members of the public, then there’s no sign of it as they politely take my order. The very picture of serene professionalism, despite the gossipy questions they’ve surely had to deal with from friends and family.

Perhaps, like other locals, they’ve learned to deal with the spot’s notoriety with a typically British dry sense of humour. I catch one woman’s eye as we’re taking photographs outside, and we immediately share a knowing smirk. Those in the area are no strangers to reporters milling around this very average-looking street. Finding humour in the ridiculousness of the saga, Craig, who is originally from Zimbabwe, told us: “Everyone around just thinks it’s a bit of a joke. They’re just keeping with the banter and making lighthearted jokes about it.”

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Another local woman, Emma, sums up the mixed bag of feelings in the area well, telling us: “I think it’s a lie for one thing. It’s kind of a funny association, because why pick here? I don’t think it’s tarnished the town in any way. It’s just infamously put us on the map, and if you’ve looked at the reviews from Pizza Express after it, they were all hilarious, saying, ‘yep, it’s a good place for an alibi’, things like that! So it’s kind of, you know, British self-deprecating humour came through. But I would rather he didn’t associate with the town. What’s come out and what he’s allegedly done.”

As I pour myself a solitary Diet Coke, a Happy Birthday chorus erupts from one of the packed tables, a strange echo from Princess Beatrice’s friend’s apparent bash all those years ago. It’s the first of multiple Happy Birthdays this evening. This is a spacious branch, with ambient lighting that gives it a relaxed, slightly upmarket feel.

It’s well situated, right in the heart of Woking, and it’s easy to see why this might be a popular choice for gatherings. The food is also good. Pizza Express has long been a high street favourite of mine, long before it hit the headlines, and the Funghi di Bosco, Romano style, of course, is well-cooked and piping hot. I also can’t resist the light, refreshing lemon-and-raspberry cheesecake with the gelato.

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As the night wears on, the families are joined by couples, old and young, some collecting boxes to take home with them. There’s certainly no signs of this being a slightly macabre royal landmark, up there with the Tower of London or the burial vaults of St George’s Chapel.

I’m enjoying my meal so much that it’s easy to forget the troubling reasons that have brought me here this chilly evening. Indeed, it’s other, more positive aspects of Woking life are celebrated here, including a framed quote from iconic singer-songwriter and Woking native Paul Weller, which reads, “I’d like to think I’ve left something in the world. Without in any way trying to be morbid, but life is very short, and I’d like to think I’d leave some body of work that would inspire other musicians long after I’ve gone”.

There’s also a quote from Weller’s band, The Jam, “Better stop dreaming of the quiet life, ‘cos it’s the one we’ll never know.” This quote feel eerily poignant given last week’s extraordinary developments for the fallen prince, who was pictured leaving the police station after 11 hours of custody slumped in the back of a Range Rover, looking particularly shell-shocked.

It’s clear that there’s a certain plucky pride to Woking, the setting of HG Wells’ War of the Worlds, and a hugely influential hub of Mod culture. More than just a handy London commuter town, this spirited town and its residents have plenty to say about that 2001 visit from a largely unwelcome out-of-towner. While it may rankle and bemuse locals in equal measure, it appears as though the unsavoury Pizza Express Andrew connection is here to stay.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

READ MORE: ‘I worked for Queen Elizabeth – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor moment made my skin crawl’