Reflecting on this, McDonald quotes a 19th century French diplomat, the Prince of Talleyrand. Speaking about the French royal family, the Bourbons – who had returned to power in 1814 after the country’s revolution, King Louis XVI’s execution and years of war under Napoleon – Talleyrand is believed to have said: “They had learnt nothing and forgotten nothing.”

Rochelle Humes reveals what husband Marvin's secret signal could REALLY mean as he taps his heart four times on I'm A CelebrityTony Blair was "the best at communicating but some of his biggest policy calls were just wrong," he said. The Crown's Meg Bellamy recreates moment Kate Middleton caught Prince William's eye in a sheer dress on the catwalk at university fashion show Popular Netflix show set for major cast shake up as main star is revealed to NOT be returning for series three The Conservative deputy chief whip Chris Pincher was accused of sexually assaulting two men at the private Carlton Club in London on Wednesday 29 June, revealed by Noa Hoffman and Kate Ferguson of The Sun. Pincher resigned the next day, saying he had “drunk too much” and “embarrassed myself”. Months on, Pincher is now under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over this incident. Amy Dowden reveals she doesn't want 'looks of pity' when she's seen with her headscarf on as she poses without her wig in striking photoshoot

Hugh Grant, 63, and his wife AnnaElisabet Eberstein, 40, attend the Wonka premiere ahead of his controversial role as an Oompa Loompa The details of a prime ministerial resignation should be etched in our memories, especially just four months later. But after the swift rise and fall of Liz Truss amid an economic crisis, the Queen’s death and the King’s proclamation, and now another PM preparing another spending announcement – not to mention all the other controversies that dogged Johnson in office – it can be easy to forget exactly how and why he was forced to stand down. Omid Scobie insists Harry and Meghan didn't brief him for book - but admits there are 'plenty of people around them' who DID'How would you like to be remembered? From scattering ashes on a favourite walk, to a party with a bouncy castle, many people are deciding a traditional funeral just isn't right for them Sophia Bush posts 'toxic relationship' meme after ex-husband Chad Michael Murray sidestepped allegations he cheated on Erin Foster with her Overall, he sees Johnson as an example of “people having ambitions which their character doesn’t really equip them to fulfil… It’s a personal view – I don’t think he had the method, the work ethic, to do the job that needs to be done. He allowed too many people to speak in his name, when he did not know what they were saying in his name. He lost control at some key points of the Number 10 machine.” On this point, perhaps surprisingly, McDonald does have a degree of sympathy for Johnson, placing more blame on his press team.

Taylor Swift received offer to perform at Coronation of King Charles III but turned it down, claims Omid Scobie in his new book Endgame On Liz Truss’s political failings: “As a character, she was too certain about everything. She had a set of beliefs that she thought were a blueprint for everything she wanted to do at the top of politics. It was pretty inflexible and it wasn’t really open to adjustment with advice or new experience. We saw the consequences.” McDonald had worked at the heart of government under several prime ministers. For five years he was the chief civil servant in the Foreign Office, in charge of 14,000 diplomatic staff in 270 countries as the department’s Permanent Under Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service. In 2020 he was made Baron McDonald of Salford, sitting as a crossbench peer.BBC fans are in for a treat this Christmas as the broadcaster announces the return of THIS hit music show Taylor Swift thanks fans for 'unforgettable' concerts as she wraps the 2023 Eras Tour dates: 'I'm so grateful'

Bradley Cooper reacts to Brooke Shields calling him her 'guardian angel' after he helped her survive terrifying seizure Jessica Simpson, 43, bares her VERY toned tummy in a sexy crop top and spandex pants as the mom-of-three enjoys a night out in NYC

Lessons from a Life in Diplomacy

a b c "Christ's College elects new Master". Christs College. University of Cambridge. 23 November 2021 . Retrieved 5 July 2022. Love Island's Olivia Hawkins and Ella Thomas awkwardly turn up to The Beauty Awards in the EXACT same one-shoulder latex dress