Daily Diary

By royal disappointment

Posted 6/02/2008 by The Daily Diary

It has been noted in more reputable pages of this organ that lawyers do not necessarily get the credit they deserve for their contribution to UK business. After all, there are precious few things the Brits are much good at these days, with commercial law among the few bright spots on the otherwise acne-ridden face of UK plc.

The problem is clearly a lack of awareness – as evidenced by a recent brush with royalty one Diary spy had in exotic Dubai just the other week.

Norton Rose and Denton Wilde Sapte were among the City giants to set up shop at a recent energy conference in the air-conditioned emirate, presumably hoping to catch the beady eye of a nearby oil billionaire or petrochemicals CEO. The firms went one better, however, when Prince Andrew strolled into view with his, erm, enchanting daughter Beatrice.

Excitement that the flame-haired princess might be set to apply for a training contract were sadly dashed, however, when her dad – fourth in line to the throne – was overheard explaining to Beatrice, 19, what a lawyer is.

Good luck with that 2:1, your highness!

A recruitment poster for republicanism, yesterday