Dominic Sandbrook

He's the kind of person who in an alternative universe would have a cameo in an early Pink Panther film or something.

He would.

Yeah, David Niven or somebody.

David Niven, that kind of vibe, hasn't he?

That's exactly the vibe for the Shah.

And, you know, as befitting a sort of 1960s celebrity, he has a taste for the finer things in life.

So in 1967, he elevates himself to the title of the original Persian kings, king of kings, Shah and Shah.

And he has a new coronation, and he has a solid gold sceptre, and he has a crown with thousands and thousands of diamonds.

Then in 1971, one of the most famous parties in history, he throws this incredible kind of blowout to mark the 2,500th anniversary of the foundation of the Persian monarchy.

And where does he have this, Tom?

Do you want to tell us?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, people say, what's your dream historical dinner party?

I mean, the Shah's had it, you know, Tito, Imelda Marcos.

Brilliant.

And famously, they have the food is flown in from Paris by Maxims.

Yes.

Maxims to Paris and all this sort of Chateau Lafitte, Rothschild and whatnot flown in as well.

So incredible.