The claim appears in a forthcoming memoir and has reignited discussion surrounding one of the Royal Family's most scrutinised marriages. Share Princess Diana’s brother has made an extraordinary new claim about the breakdown of her marriage, alleging that the late Princess once told him her husband was “in love with his valet” . Charles Spencer, the 9th Earl Spencer, recalls the private conversation in his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, as he prepares to share his version of events nearly three decades after Diana’s death. Earl Spencer appears on the BBC discussing claims from his forthcoming memoir, Swan Song: Diana, My Sister , in which he recounts private conversations with Princess Diana about the breakdown of her marriage to the then-Prince Charles. According to Spencer, Diana made the remark during lunch at a London restaurant after announcing that she intended to seek a divorce. When he reportedly warned that the public ...
Black History Month Shout-Out: Robbie Clarke’s Legacy and the Caribbean’s Riskiest Airports
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Black History Month offers the perfect moment to spotlight the pioneers who shaped aviation long before the world recognised their brilliance. Among them stands William Robinson “Robbie” Clarke, born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1895 — the first Caribbean-born pilot to fly for Britain. Clarke travelled to the UK at his own expense during the First World War, determined to serve.
A tribute to William Robinson ‘Robbie’ Clarke (1895–1981), the Jamaican-born trailblazer who broke barriers in British aviation during WWI. Image Credit BBMF
He earned his wings in 1917, becoming a Royal Flying Corps pilot at a time when Black aviators were almost unheard of in British military ranks. His courage in the skies paved the way for generations of Caribbean pilots who continue to navigate some of the world’s most challenging airspaces today.
Low-altitude landings over Maho Beach make this a thrill for tourists and a challenge for pilots.
While it has no major commercial accidents on record, its strict aircraft limitations speak volumes about the precision required. St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport is famous for its low-altitude beach approach over Maho Beach, but it has also seen incidents, including a fatal jet-blast accident in 2017 when a tourist standing behind the fence was thrown by engine thrust.
St Barthélemy’s Gustaf III Airport, with its steep hillside descent, has recorded several runway overruns over the years, mostly involving small aircraft struggling with the short landing strip and unpredictable winds.
Steep hillside descent onto a short runway ending at the sea — a true test of control. Image Credit Dreamstime
Further north, Saba’s Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport remains one of the most unforgiving runways on the planet — a 400‑metre strip carved into a cliffside with sheer drops into the sea at both ends. While it has no major commercial accidents on record, its extreme limitations mean only specially certified pilots and aircraft are permitted to land there, underscoring just how precise every approach must be.
The world’s shortest commercial runway, perched on a cliff with ocean drop-offs at both ends.Image Credit CNN
As we celebrate Black History Month, it feels fitting to honour both the legacy of Robbie Clarke and the pilots who continue to embody his spirit — navigating risk with skill, courage, and quiet excellence.
The Caribbean’s most dramatic runways may thrill travellers and photographers, but behind every touchdown lies a lineage of aviators who dared to rise above expectation. Clarke opened the skies for those who followed; today’s pilots keep that legacy alive with every challenging descent into the islands he once called home.
