Lord Justice Scott Baker has started his summing up of the Diana Inquest in London. He began by stating that “there is not a shred of evidence of any conspiracy” to murder Diana by any person or government agency. It seems even Mohamed al Fayed’s lawyers are no longer making that claim.

Prince Philip, maliciously accused of a conspiracy to murder Diana

However, the judge has left the way open for an Unlawful Killing verdict by either Henri Paul, who drove the car while under the influence of alcohol, or the paparazzi, who chased the vehicle into the Alma tunnel that night.

The evidence also points to Henri Paul having tipped off the paparazzi that Diana would be leaving by the rear entrance of The Ritz Hotel in Paris. He appears to have received a cash payment for this transaction.

A verdict of Accidental Death seems more likely, but if Unlawful Killing due to Henri Paul’s actions is handed down by the jury, probably next week, it leaves the way open for massive damages claims against Mohamed al Fayed by all who have been traduced and falsely accused by him over the past decade.

It is unlikely that the most persistently accused, the Duke of Edinburgh, will take any action now.

Lord Justice Scott Baker is totally vindicated in his controversial decision to widen the scope of the Inquest to cover every aspect of the wilder conspiracy claims. There can be no doubt that what happened that night was a tragic accident, caused by a catalogue of events involving alcohol, drugs, bad decisions and minor betrayals, but above all, an almost total lack of security cover at The Ritz Hotel in Paris.

Why did Diana only have one bodyguard to protect her? And why did she make that fateful journey with no backup vehicle following behind?

As we suggested last week, the Queen has cancelled her Diamond Wedding Anniversary party at The Ritz.

The regal hotel would not confirm Royal Anecdotes’s suspicions that the event “has been quietly dropped” as it never comments on private bookings. Now we know that Her Majesty has put the party to one side because of the growing financial crisis in the British economy and the spectre of a recession, or worse.

The Mail on Sunday reports that the Monarch feels it would be “inappropriate” to hold a lavish celebration with the country on the brink of recession.

Guests would have been served champagne from crystal-studded bottles and dined off tablecloths covered with sparkling jewels, it is said. “Her highlighting of the dire state of the economy will not be welcomed by the Prime Minister [Gordon Brown], who faces daily reminders from his advisers that the electorate has lost the ‘feel-good’ factor and is punishing him for it in the opinion polls.”

A friend of the Royal couple commented, “It is a great shame, but the Queen does not want to be seen to be doing something so elaborate at a time of such economic gloom. [She] decided to cancel the party because of the very real prospect that the country is about to go through a major recession.”

Downing Street is apparently still sore about the mix-up when the accident-prone Gordon Brown sloped off from a photo-opportunity with the Queen and President Sarkozy before the Windsor Castle State banquet for the French party. They blamed Palace officials for sending him the wrong way.

The friend remarked, “With everyone else having money woes at the moment, the Queen decided to cancel. She thought it wouldn’t be a great example for her to set.”

It seems a sensible decision in the circumstances.

Clarence House has issued the following statement on the Princes’ support for a City of London-based charity event for service personnel.

Prince William at his Passing Out Parade at Sandhurst

Prince William and Prince Harry have become Joint Royal Patrons of the City Salute Appeal, launched today to celebrate and support this country’s armed forces and their families.

City Salute is a major open air event that will take place in the heart of the City of London. The drama will unfold in front of St Paul’s Cathedral, the iconic setting for so many historic events. The public will be asked to come and help raise money for injured servicemen and women.

Funds raised will go to the City Salute Appeal, which will support Headley Court, the tri-service Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre. Projects funded will be a swimming pool and sports complex for physiotherapy and family accommodation for relatives of servicemen and women undergoing treatment.

It is not clear whether this includes the “party for millionaires” reported on recently, but it seems likely, especially if that is the Princes’ own contribution to the main event.

Prince William commented, “As brothers, we are delighted to be supporting the City of London in saluting all those who serve their country. As well as raising money for vital rehabilitation facilities, City Salute is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the fantastic contribution made by our servicemen and women and their families. It is also a chance to pay tribute to the casualty evacuation and medical staff of all three Services who protect and care for the wounded so brilliantly and with such tireless dedication.”

City Salute will be “a celebration and spectacle that combines traditional elements and state-of-the-art son et lumière projections”, with St Paul’s Cathedral providing the backdrop. The event programme will probably include :

* Band of HM Royal Marines marching through Temple Bar
* Ceremonial troops and armoured vehicles of The Household Cavalry
* RAF fly past
* Son et lumière – St Paul’s Cathedral
* Giant screens showing specially commissioned short films about the lives of the forces and their families.

It sounds like a splendid occasion and those who are able to go should definitely be there.

Individuals can donate from today to the City Salute Appeal at www.citysalute.org.

1. Two talking points have emerged from last week’s Royal skiing trip to Klosters in Switzerland.

Kate Middleton with Prince William at Klosters

One is the obvious closeness of Kate Middleton and Prince William. The other was the presence of a close protection officer whenever she took to the pistes alone. No other member of the party was given this attention.

What this says to us is that a certain level of protection is already in place for her, despite the normal rule that only someone engaged to a senior Royal is entitled to protection. Either that rule is being bent or a settled understanding of her future with Prince William is accepted by the police and therefore the politicians.

In the circumstances, a Royal engagement announcement can’t be far away, possibly some time after the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.

2. American fighter pilots have heaped praise on Prince Harry for his expert handling of air strikes in Afghanistan. “He showed extraordinarily high skill,” one said.

USAF Captain Ben Donberg, who led a pair of two-seater F15s, said, “It was a standard troops-in-contact call and we checked in with him. His accent didn’t give him away because we’re used to working with the British. But the item that did stand out at the time was the extraordinarily high skill of the person coordinating the attack. In fact everybody in that sortie, all four of us, once we got down, we all commented on the proficiency and the skill he was providing us.”

High praise indeed from the Top Guns.

3. After their success with the Concert for Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry are planning another joint extravaganza to raise money for charity. This time it’s a glittering party for the wealthy to extract much-needed funds for soldiers wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Amid the cocktails and champagne, the Princes will make a rare personal appeal for millions in aid of the Help for Heroes appeal. They will be joined by celebrities including James Blunt, Jeremy Clarkson, Anneka Rice and former SAS soldier, now an author, Andy McNab. It will also feature a marching band and a military display.

The event is scheduled for May 7 at a “secret location in the City of London” — which may turn out to be the Guildhall because of its size.