Tuesday August 21, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Lord Fermoy.

Happy birthday to Princess Margaret and her reprobate cousin Gerald Lascelles. No Baker delivery. Margaret Rose Baker would have been so apt and sweet too. I stood in the bar tittering at Jim and George's Daily Star (I presume it's a shared copy). It describes Lord 'Eddie' Fermoy as 'Princess Diana's favourite uncle'. He's her only chuffing uncle. Well, only blood uncle. Her aunts Lady Anne Spencer and the Hon Mary Roche have husbands but they don't count. The Roche aunt is something of a nymphomaniac going by the list of husbands in Debrett's Peerage.

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Monday August 20, 1984

 Moorhouse Inn, Leeds

Yes, Lord Fermoy uncle of the Divine Diana blew his brains out yesterday at his Berkshire home. He has suffered from depression for years, they say. His mother, Ruth Lady Fermoy, is currently with the Queen Mother at the Castle of Mey. Royal bank holidays seems to be always peppered with sadness.

Lynn was due today (baby no.3) but nothing happened. We had hoped it would happen yesterday when we were sitting in the garden,. Lynn's other babies were both born on a Monday.

Am I perhaps swinging towards the left? Have you spotted SDP tendencies in my entries? I say this because I have begun to find the Sunday Telegraph a trifle boring and dismal. Of course I never get chance to read the Sunday papers until days afterwards. Does this account for my lethargy? I am 29.

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Sunday August 19, 1984

 9th Sunday after Trinity

To Waltergarth, Horton-in-Ribblesdale

To Horton in time for breakfast at 9am which we ate with the Harwoods. Mum and Dad acting as servants. Samuel looking superior in his high chair. We retired to the garden afterwards and spent the day horizontally sinking wine. John, Janette, JPH, and Catherine came at 11. Both children well behaved and sweet. Debbie is a nice girl with an infectious giggle. Gave Mum a cup and saucer (picturing Trinity Church, Hull - £1.50 from Cheap 'n Cheerful). Stayed until after 10. An idle day. Ten litres of wine consumed. Barbecue, &c. Scottish dancing and various outdoor activities. 

News at 10: Lord Fermoy has committed suicide. Home dead at 11:30.

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