Update 3 : It’s being reported that the victim of this blackmail plot is about “to go public”. Since his name is now widely known, his side of the story should be put frankly and fearlessly.

A nephew of the Queen is being named as the victim in the Royal blackmail plot. His name is now being widely touted on the internet, including the authoritative Huffington Post, quoting the Radar publication.

British journalist Nicholas Davies, author of three books on the Royal Family, revealed the name during a phone interview on American TV. Speaking from his Surrey home, Davies told host Martha MacCullum, “This is absolute nonsense, [...] would never be involved in anything like this. It is a con trick which exploded in their face.”

The Huff reports, “British law prohibits any of them from naming the hard-partying royal. As the tale goes, two men demanded £50,000 from 45-year-old [...] in return for footage allegedly showing a royal aide talking of gay sex with him. The aide is also allegedly seen on a video tape taking cocaine from an envelope embossed with [...] name.”

The Queen will be dismayed as he was always one of the good guys, as will his wife [...].

Update : The Telegraph online is reporting that the Queen will stand by her nephew in the current blackmail case and has offered her “unswerving support”.

The paper “has learnt that the Queen, who is very fond of her relative, is dismayed by the effect the revelation of an alleged £50,000 extortion attempt is having on him and his family”.

One source said: “It is a fraught time for him. He is grateful for the support of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.”

Lauren asks a good question in one of the comments on the last post. She asks, what should a Queen be like?

Should she be political or a fashionista, or both. And what are the qualities we should be looking for in Prince William’s consort? Bearing in mind, of course, that we don’t get to choose. That’s William’s prerogative.

Here’s an idea: we keep talking about Kate and her “suitablenesss”, or lack thereof, to be Queen–what do we all think a “suitable” Queen/potential Queen should look like, at age 25, 30, 40, 60 etc.? I think a lot of our disagreements about Kate stem from our idea of an ideal monarchy. Should the (future) King and Queen be involved with many charities? What type? Or should they be budding philosophers, guiding the country in a vision of excellence, magnanimity, and wisdom? Is “regal magnificence” acceptable? What do we think these individuals should rightly be doing, and what qualities should they possess to accomplish it?

My own opinion is that a Queen should be slightly old-fashioned, not much, but enough to distance herself from the madness of the fashion industry and the latest political “views”.

Let’s also remember that Kate Middleton (presumably) will be Queen Consort not the Monarch. However, since Anglo-Saxon times Queen Consorts have been crowned “Queen” and have been treated as such by the population, witness the late Queen Mother.

Queen Elizabeth has always been just a little behind the times, giving her an air of authority and wisdom that, say, her sister Princess Margaret never had, even though Margaret was probably better informed about that wider world, certainly the louche one, than Elizabeth.

Diana made the fatal mistake of throwing herself into the frantic fray of the fashion, entertainment and celebrity lifestyles. The result was that she was loved by 40pc of the population, loathed by another 40pc, and ignored by the remaining fifth. She became a divisive influence.

There was never much to choose between Diana and the glamorpusses of Hollywood’s Tinseltown, who usually rise like shooting stars and fall as fast as meteorites.

The Queen, on the other hand, based herself on solid values and best-practice behaviour. While it made her seem remote, it also gave her an air of authority and majesty which a Monarch needs.

No nation would want a Kate Moss as Queen and Head of State. I think, though, a Kate Middleton may well fit the bill as Consort. We shall see. The future, as ever, is an open road.

Another extraordinary story emerges about the possessions of the late Princess Margaret. It seems that her National Insurance card has popped up for sale on eBay.

You may wonder why a Princess would require one at all, but it was probably sent automatically, whether she needed a job or not.

Three members of a family appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court accused of trying to sell the card. Constance and David Neil and their son Jeffrey, from Stanley, Co Durham, were charged with handling stolen goods. They will appear again on September 1.

We know that Margaret’s son, Lord Linley, has sold many of her possessions at auction, including her house on Mustique while she was still alive. Her NI card must have been found lying around among all the bric a brac.

Shouldn’t he have had more care in handling his mother’s property?

An unusual auction is taking place at Christie’s in London today. Princess Margaret’s jewels and other possessions are being sold on the order of her son, Lord Linley, and daughter, Sarah Chatto.

It’s understood that the sale is to meet some of the crippling death duties of £7.6 million ($14m). Nevertheless, public comment has been so tart that the Queen has apparently insisted part of the proceeds should go to charity.

English Heritage, a body responsible for the care of Kensington Palace where the Princess lived, has also expressed concern that items have been taken for the sale which didn’t belong personally to the Princess, but to the Crown Estates, which are administered by the Government.

An event of this sort would be expected to attract a high-society crowd of bidders, anxious to adopt the mantle of Royalty. This time, however, a wave of “new money” is expected to join the throng. It seems that the Princess has become a style icon again, ensuring a good turnout from the trendy set. Fashion experts are claiming that her vogue will continue through the coming winter, according to leaks from fashion houses.

Social historians are saying that two opposite traits made Margaret the magnetic personality she was: on the one hand she was elegant, aristocratic and sophisticated, while, on the other, rebellious, gritty and down-to earth.

Whether her chattels will be easily disposed of is another matter.

For details of the auction call 020 7839 9060 or email info@christies.com.