19 JUNE 1941, Page 5

I am intrigued by the news that Ronald Campbell, formerly

British Minister in Belgrade, has arrived in Lisbon. I refer to him without a prefix not because I know him very well (for, alas, I don't) but because I do not know whether to call him " Sir Ronald " or plain " Mr." His knighthood was announced in the Birthday Honours, but he has not yet received the accolade. Men serving abroad, after a period of uncertainty, can use their titles without that romantic formality, and I notice that The Times calls Ronald Campbell " Sir Ronald " although he is on his way home, and would there- fore soon be able to report at Buckingham Palace.

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