The news that Sarah, Duchess of York has given an emotionally charged interview to her old friend Pamela Stephenson in which she discusses uncomfortable aspects of her childhood as well as her lifelong battle with her weight is a reminder of the close relationship between royalty and celebrity.
Formerly a TV comedienne celebrated for her work on the 1980s hit show Not The Nine o'clock News, Billy Connolly's wife was one of a band of celebrities, including the likes of American comedienne Ruby Wax and TV presenter David Frost, who regularly socialised in a private capacity with both Sarah and her sister-in-law, Diana, Princess of Wales.
However, few such associations have ever resulted in such an incongruous night of entertainment as that which surrounded a girl's night out by Diana, Sarah and Pamela in 1986, just days before Fergie inherited the always dignified Queen Mother's former title of Duchess of York.
To many, the ever ebullient and far more street-wise Sarah was a bad influence on the then 25-year-old future Queen, Diana.
However, seeing just how popular Sarah was with other members of the Royal Family, most especially her own husband Prince Charles, during this period in her life the Princess of Wales was happy to follow the example of the flame-haired woman initially welcomed as a "breath of fresh air" by those behind Palace walls.
However, the Queen and her family may now look back on this particular story as a premonition of just what they'd let themselves in for when they embraced and welcomed 'Fergie' into their lives.
On July 15th 1986, the giggling Princess famed for her sense of humour followed the lead of the bride-to-be Sarah and her friend, Pamela Stephenson, by dressing up in the full uniform of British policewomen.
Wearing wigs to help disguise their true identities, the unlikely trio attempted to gatecrash Prince Andrew's stag party at Annabel's nightclub, the Boujis of its day thanks to its popularity with the young royals.
The Prince and his friends had gone on to the club despite having already celebrated 'Randy Andy's' impending nuptials at the Notting Hill Gate home of the bridegroom's cousin, Lord Lascelles.
Amongst those who joined Andrew at Aubrey House were his oldest brother, Charles, and perennial royal friends Elton John, David Frost (both of whom have since been knighted by the Queen) and Pamela's husband, Billy.
What the three women didn't know as they entered the nightclub was that a group of journalists from the Daily Mail were enjoying their own rather more discreet visit to the venue popular with the cream of high society and those from the world of showbusiness.
What the supposedly eagle-eyed journalists didn't realise was that they in turn were in the company of two of the world's most famous women.
And so it was that one reporter allegedly got a little more up close and personal with one of the blue-blooded ladies in blue....the lady later revealed to be noneother than H.R.H. The Princess of Wales!
Recalling the incident in 1989, writer Ned Sherrin revealed how one of the Mail's reporters, Brian Vine, had unknowingly removed the false spectacles of the tallest of the three 'policewomen' and poked his fingers through her glassless rims.
While Diana struggled to maintain her composure, the journalist declared before an audience which included the wife of the Daily Mail's proprietor, Lord Rothermere: "You can't fool me. You're not a policewoman. You're a police-o-gram girl!"
Considering how she'd successfully outwitted some of Fleet Street's (alleged) finest in her fancy dress, is it any wonder Diana became such a master of disguise?!
Comment: Sense of humour is everything. I love a good prank and a good laugh. I think when you take life too seriously, the things that are wrong in the world have more power. Sometimes pranks can go too far. I mean that nazi costume in Harry's case I am sure started off as a prank. I wear my g8 US air force jacket with 4 canadian flag pins on the colar when I go to the air show, the name tag is blank, and i just love looking at people's faces, but I wouldn't wear it at a peace march, because some people would take it the wrong way. But seriously, I just don't understand why they can't make a jacket of the same quality that doesn't have to be dry cleaned.
Name: Trudie
Comment: The difference between Diana and Sarah was Diana outgrew her pranks within a year. Sarah however just never grew up.
Name: M-M
Comment: A youthful (not very wise ) prank which actually hurt no one . The difference is that recently Sarah pulled another such prank with Sharon Osbourne when they pretended to be toilet attendants and took the money for showing clients to cubicles . This was stupid at their mature ages , besides being a swipe at those who hold such jobs . She has not progressed .
And so it was that one reporter allegedly got a little more up close and personal with one of the blue-blooded ladies in blue....the lady later revealed to be noneother than H.R.H. The Princess of Wales!
