ALEXANDRA SHULMAN'S NOTEBOOK: Why long haul flights are top of my anxiety list

Last week’s inquest into the death of Richard Branson’s wife Joan revealed it could have been prevented had she been given the necessary blood-thinning medication.

She died at the Lister Hospital in West London in November after suffering a pulmonary embolism, a dangerous blockage in a lung artery.

I suffered exactly the same kind of sudden, massive, potentially fatal embolism after my cancer surgery two years ago.

Ever since that night, I have been on a regular dose of medication and have been told that, due to the size of the blood clot that cropped up, I will need to stay on it for life.

But hypochondriac that I am, the news that Lady Branson was regularly given blood-thinning injections before any long-haul flight is top of my anxiety list.

No one has ever mentioned this to me, but should I be doing the same? There’s enough to worry about with travel these days, what with an inefficient air traffic control system and the insane European entry and exit queues, without having to factor in this new mortality risk. 

And, as I’ve been discharged, how would I navigate the NHS to get a jab? Do they offer them in A&E?

What I do know is that I’m not getting on another plane without taking those hideous compression socks with me. Style begone.

Richard Branson's wife Joan, who died after suffering a pulmonary embolism, was given blood-thinning injections before long-haul flights, which Alexandra Shulman says gives her anxiety 

Old PE knickers give me PTSD

From this month, only three branded school uniform items per child will be required at State schools. It’s an excellent move since the cost can be wallet-busting for families.

Prince George is required to wear a tailcoat, stiff white collar, white tie, black waistcoat and pinstripe trousers now he’s started at Eton – a world away from the list handed out to parents by my alma mater St Paul’s Girls’ School back in the late Sixties.

I found this document the other day and even though the school had no official uniform, it still insisted on the following items of clothing which could only be bought at Peter Jones in London’s Sloane Square: two pairs of shoes, black or brown, one for indoors and one for outdoors; two pairs white ankle socks; blue cotton overall; grey mackintosh; grey overcoat; school scarf and beige or black stockings.

And then there was the much-loathed games kit: two pairs of woven black knickers (whatever they may have been), lacrosse boots and white swimming cap. Just reading it brought on PTSD.

Even VIPs have to queue for Bayeux!

We were among the several thousand who were invited to an early viewing of the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry last week.

As the queue lengthened to see this historical event, noisy grumblings started up about how the British Museum had over-invited. Despite being fortified by delicious canapés and champagne, supposed VIPs don’t take kindly to being made to wait.

Adopting a Pollyanna-ish stance (most unusual for me), I lectured anyone who would listen about how we were jolly privileged to be there and should just shut up.

I have to admit, though, that the strain showed when, after two hours, we finally reached the tapestry only to be told to ‘keep moving along there’ in a most unceremonious manner.

It was worse than passport control at Athens airport. All the same, being able to see this incredible work was a real treat.

For anyone who finds themselves in the queue over the next few months, do look up at the ceiling of the Great Court.

The glass has an effect that turns the commonplace grey pigeons flying above white, so they appear, not as London’s flying vermin but as a beautiful parade of doves.

A detailed section of the Bayeux Tapestry during a visit by Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Culture Secretary Rebecca Paul at the British Museum on September 11, 2026 in London

We will all pay for this wealth exodus 

I was one of the many who thought the wealthy wouldn’t leave the UK – but they are, and in considerable numbers.

On our recent holiday, we came across several Greek families who, having made London their home for decades, are now moving to Athens to escape punitive new taxations.

It may be hard to shed a tear for this elite crew since those of us who don’t share anything like their wealth just have to pay up, but there’s no doubt the UK’s coffers are going to be substantially worse after their departure.

It’s an own goal by the Treasury and I simply don’t see the point of it, other than to play into the politics of envy. In the attempt to nab every possible pound from these individuals, we lose the revenue from billionaires such as hedge fund manager Chris Rokos, who paid £330million in tax last year and who is now similarly heading for a new life under the Parthenon.

NY Fashion Week meets its match

Are the days of the celebrity front row over? New York Fashion Week, which is often light on interesting outfits but heavy on famous names, has only provided a paltry few A-listers this season.

Actress Elizabeth Debicki turned up for Ralph Lauren, Elle Fanning at Coach, Patrick Schwarzenegger at Tommy Hilfiger, but there was nothing like the big line-ups there used to be.

Instead, the celebrity action seems to have moved to the US Open, on at the same time in New York, which has been stuffed with stars including actor Rami Malek, model Kaia Gerber, and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki attended the Ralph Lauren Spring 2027 Collection show

1987 Le Carre gem is perfect viewing

My new viewing tip is the exquisite 1987 TV adaptation of John le Carré’s A Perfect Spy.

I would never have found it among the mass of programmes on offer had it not been recommended by the Mail’s Weekend magazine. It’s the story of a double agent, whose duplicitous character is influenced by his conman father.

None of the souped-up contemporary thrillers come close to this masterpiece. Available on BBC4.

Alexandra recommends the exquisite 1987 TV adaptation of John le Carré’s A Perfect Spy on BBC4