The Coco Chanel logo is embossed on Westminster's Lampposts.
If you wander around the City of Westminster you may have spotted lampposts with an embossed logo that looks remarkably like the Chanel logo.
The French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel had a love affair with Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, for a decade-or-so in the 1920s-1930s. To prove his love for her he had her initials embossed in gold on lampposts, all around Westminster, along with a stylised 'W' which represented the Duke of Westminster.
So, is this true?
Well, no. The lampposts weren't installed until the 1950s, and while the 'W' does indeed stand for Westminster, the 'CC' stands for County Council.
There are no flowers in Green Park because of a cheating King.
Green Park was established in the 17th century during the reign of King Charles II and, unlike the rest of the Royal Parks, has no formal flower beds. In fact it consists of grass, trees, paths and the odd monument. But it was very different when it was created.
It is said that King Charles II would leave nearby St James's Palace to pick flowers for his wife Queen Catherine. However, Charles was unfaithful to his wife, fathering fourteen illegitimate children, and would often pick flowers for his mistresses. It has been claimed that when Queen Catherine found out she ordered that every flower bed be removed from the park.
So, is this true?
Well, no. The space that is now Green Park began simply as an open meadow and an extension of St James's Park with very few trees and no formal gardening design.
The phrase 'Barking Mad' comes from a mental asylum in Barking.
The phrase is said to have come from a medieval mental asylum in Barking, sometime in the Middle Ages.
So, is this true?
Well, no. The phrase is from the 20th century.
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