Royal flush

Farrer & Co - so often described as 'the Queen's solicitors' by tabloids and broadsheets alike - last week became the latest law firm to serve up the wine and canaps at London's Somerset House, in a celebration of its recent merger with Crockers Oswald Hickson.

And a lovely evening it was at what is fast becoming - along with the Dali Exhibition - the venue of choice for solicitors looking to party.

But the interesting irony for this most pukka firm with royal connections was the choice of date - 4 July, American Independence Day, and a date that Elizabeth II's family would probably like to forget.

No wonder she wasn't there.