Sally Bedell Smith, an American author of books about Pamela Harriman, Princess Diana, Bill Paley and others, offers her readers the illusion of knowing the queen as a friend.

ECONOMIST: Why the queen has to be seen to be believed

Saudi billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal sent out a press release with a photo of himself, his wife Princess Ameerah, and Bill Gates at the summit (see photo).

FORBES: Bill Gates Hosts Some Of The World's Wealthiest At Microsoft CEO Summit

They want fuzzy figureheads: Princess Diana, Tony Blair, perhaps even Bill Clinton.

ECONOMIST: Leadership, and the lack of it