Are you going to give a speech?' she asked gaily. He gave a choked laugh. 'Of course not,' he said. 'Not for ages.' 'My cousin Davey gave one on his very first day!' ... 'In the Lords, I remember. It was about how he didn't like strawberry jam.' 'Be nice, Charles! It was a speech about fruit importation, which I admit devolved into something of a tirade.' She couldn't help but laugh. 'Still, you could talk about something more important.' 'Than jam? Impossible. We mustn't set the bar too high, Jane.

There's nowhere that life feels more eternal, your dimwit youth more important, than Paris.

Her strength was in the integrity of her actions; she never compromised what she believed she ought to do.

When I was younger I always had a dark navy, black tie and everybody would look at me like it was odd, but now it is de rigueur. I'm sure it's my input.

On the plane the other day, there was man who was wearing a tank top, shorts and Birkenstocks - and I don't think that's acceptable. First class should have a f - ing dress code. It's not about money. It's about education. When you build an environment where people can study well, they'll work better. If you teach people to dress correctly, to take personal hygiene seriously, when we teach them about culture, they will be greater.

People tend to wear a suit without a tie but it's a strange look, there's something missing. Either you wear a blazer and slacks, or you wear a suit and tie. It is challenging today to dress in an appropriate way.

Like everyone I slipped into adulthood like a delinquent through the back door.