RICHARD EDEN: King Charles caught up in a most peculiar horsey hoo-ha

King Charles was doubtless delighted when officials from Hungary presented the Royal Court with two Lipizzaner horses as a gift to celebrate His Majesty’s 2023 Coronation.‘Hungarian horses at the service of the British Royal Family!’ said Hungary’s then-defence minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, signalling the warm friendship between the two countries.The King may, however, have been bemused when Hungarian officials wrote to the Royal Household demanding the animals back.I can disclose that last month Palace officials received a reportedly ‘strongly worded’ message from Hungary’s agriculture ministry, calling for horses Neopolitano XXVII-44 (known by his stable name, Nelson) and Incitato XVIII-3 (stable name Iveco) to be returned to Hungary’s state stud farm, Szilvasvarad.It is not clear why they wanted Nelson and Iveco back, but the decision has led to some diplomatic embarrassment and bewildered courtiers.Some in Budapest suggest that it’s because Hungary’s newly elected government is ‘playing politics’ following the general election in the central European country earlier this year. In April Hungary underwent, in the words of its new prime minister Peter Magyar, a ‘regime change’, in which he led his Tisza party to a landslide victory, ending Viktor Orban’s 16-year rule.‘Magyar’s people are doing everything they can to undermine their opponents, it’s the worst Hungary’s been since the communist era,’ a well-placed Hungarian source tells me, adding: ‘Hungary provided horses to the British when they fought in Crimea – yet some seek to undermine 200 years of friendship between our country and the British people.’A spokesman for the Hungarian embassy in London won’t say why the horses were recalled, but does tell me: ‘Following consultation with the relevant colleagues, it is our understanding that the issue concerning the two horses has since been resolved.‘The horses will, of course, remain in the United Kingdom as originally intended.’Royal sources tell me there is no ongoing dispute, and that the horses will, after all, remain at the Royal Mews in Windsor. Horses Nelson and Iveco were given to Charles at his coronation in 2023 as gifts from HungaryGenevieve's tips to see off creepsBridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour proved she knows how to handle herself after defending herself against a phone thief, and she admits these skills come in handy when dealing with ‘creepy producers’.The actress is urging new actresses to protect themselves from unwanted behaviour.‘It’s sad that this even has to be a conversation, but document inappropriate behaviour, however small it may seem at the time,’ says Genevieve. ‘Set boundaries early, clearly and confidently.’She adds: ‘Wherever possible, keep professional communication to email. It creates clarity, accountability and a paper trail. And trust your instincts. You do not owe anyone access to you in exchange for an opportunity.’ Bridgerton star Genevieve Chenneour urges new actresses to protect themselves by setting boundaries 'early, clearly and confidently'Paul's tale of the monk and matronHe’s unlocked the secrets of the family code in Last Night I Dreamt, his captivating new book about his grandmother Daphne du Maurier.So we now know the meaning of ‘menace’ (a sexually alluring person), ‘Venetian’ (lesbian) and much more.But at the launch party at Daunt Books in Marylebone, Paul de Zulueta confesses his way with words owes little to his Yorkshire public school, £59,805-a-year Ampleforth.‘I was taught English by a monk. He was never there,’ explains the author. ‘He’d ring up and say, “Just carry on reading Antony and Cleopatra”.’It later transpired that this particular monk was less interested in the classroom than ‘Cairo’ (sex). ‘He’d run off with matron,’ adds Paul.He was always aware of the transience of life’s pleasures, writing in one of his songs: ‘Cocktails and laughter/But what comes after/Nobody knows’. Perhaps, though, even Noel Coward might have been dismayed by the fate of Firefly, the small cube of a house – breathtakingly sited high on the hills above Jamaica’s coast – to which he retreated in 1956, and where he entertained the Queen Mother and other chums. ‘His piano is there rotting – and his pictures and photographs,’ says Lucy Fleming, 79, actress niece of 007 author Ian Fleming, the friend who introduced Coward to the island. ‘I think it’s a bit too late to do anything about it,’ adds Lucy on the Travel Secrets podcast. ‘It’s very sad.’Padma's meaty milestone Forget sponge cake, Sir Salman Rushdie’s ex-wife Padma Lakshmi celebrated her 56th birthday with a towering stack of ribs.The US model and former Top Chef host, who has been described as the quintessential foodie, made sure her favourite dish took centre stage on her big day. Padma Lakshmi, Sir Salman Rushdie's ex-wife, celebrated her 56th birthday with a stack of ribsLakshmi, who divorced The Satanic Verses author in 2007, was pictured blowing out a candle atop her unconventional ‘birthday cake’ in a snap by chef Melissa King.‘She requested ribs and roller skating. Birthday girl makes the rules,’ says King, adding: ‘Black vinegar ribs have been officially renamed Padma’s Birthday Ribs.’He shot to fame by trainspotting for social media before co-presenting The Grand Tour.But old habits die hard for Francis Bourgeois, who attended the UK premiere for the motoring show’s new season at the Tower of London last week.Asked if Francis still finds time for his passion, co-star Thomas Holland tells me: ‘He did it during the show. When we were filming, he would just take off and a producer had to go get him.’ Presenters Bourgeois, Holland and James Engelsman replace Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May on the Amazon series.Psst... Meet the ex spy chief son's fiancée Veteran MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger’s family was devastated when he died from cancer in June aged 62.But the spymaster had been comforted by the prospect of his engineer son, Tom Younger, getting married. Tom, 28, and his university sweetheart Hannah Hudson, also 28, are engaged, as I reported last week.‘Tom had confided his intentions to Alex before he died and it gave him great comfort as he adored Hannah,’ Sir Alex’s widow, Sarah, tells me. Tom Younger told his father, veteran MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger, of his intention to get engaged to university sweetheart Hannah Hudson before Sir Alex died. The couple are now engagedPictured toasting their engagement, Tom and Hannah met at the University of Nottingham. Arts administrator Sarah was married to Sir Alex for 33 years.Movingly, Lady Younger adds: ‘It’s been a tricky year for us all and this [engagement] is fantastic happy news we’re all delighted.’