MAYFAIR MIND TEASERS

Puzzle expert John Foley lays down the gauntlet

Solve the clues (many of the answers appear in this issue), then unscramble the shaded letters to reveal a type of 8 across – what the Queen was once (11)

ACROSS
1. Parisian chocolatier (10)
4. Apple, cherry – or honey? (3)
5. Married person’s lover (8)
8. Next in line? (4)
9. Vodka vermouth cocktail (7)
10. Mellifluous words (7)
11. Picnic pest (4)
14. Old England’s meat (4)
16. Wicker home for bees (4)
17. A black one can be lucky (3)
19. King Haakon was in this at Claridge’s (5)
20. Collection of hives (6)
21. Top this for style (3)
22. Wise herb for bumblebees (4)
23. Mason’s partner (7)

DOWN
1. Lucky memento (5)
2. Variety of life on Earth (12)
3. First royal warrant holders (7)
4. Green is one, Hyde too (4)
6. Concur or consent (5)
7. Flower’s sweet juice (6)
10. Natural homes for plants or animals (8)
12. Precious metal in the news (9)
13. Good luck flower is good 15 (7)
15. Food for bees, butterflies, etc (6)
18. Beans maker (5)
19. Shanghai version of this mess (4)

Puzzle answers:
Across: 1. Charbonnel; 4. pie; 5. paramour; 8. heir; 9. martini; 10. honeyed; 11. wasp; 14. beef; 16. skep; 17. cat; 19. exile; 20. apiary; 21. hat; 22. sage; 23. Fortnum

Down: 1. charm; 2. biodiversity; 3. Weavers; 4. park; 6. agree; 7. nectar; 10. habitats; 12. platinum; 13. heather; 15. forage; 18. Heinz; 19. Eton