Those close to power have sometimes been luminaries in the world of fashion too. Meghan Markle’s new it-bag is the latest in a long line of must-have fashion accessories first worn by the rich and famous, says Robert Hume.

INDIA is celebrating 60 years of independence and though comparisons of scale between Ireland and India are meaningless, there are many parallels in our histories, some illuminating, some unfortunate.

India’s prime minister-in-waiting, Manmohan Singh, assured the nation today that he would work to restore harmony and continue economic reforms with “a human face”.