6  26 contested borders Middle Eastern country applied retrospectively (8)

 8  Nurse docked tail for 26 (3,3)

10/18 Head after 1 of 2 26 (4,5)

11 Wherein one has apes with treat possibly (3,7)

12 Bowl over first love, having gone in 26 (6)

13 United States 26 (7)

14 26 because of depression admits needless stamp (10,3)

17/25 D Day's base aims? (7,6)

20 Elsie hides converter for 26 (6)

22 Take away: make independent? (10)

24 Temple's member of religious order at start of worship (4)

25 See 17

26 Pre-D Day aristocracy? (3,5)

 2  Walker reported considerably better weather (8)

 3  Pay attention and translate il est un piano (6,2)

 4  Letter writer set up Raquel with every other one (2,4)

 5  Hit TV compilation (5,3)

 7  Danish Prince's troubles – the drink! (3)

 9  Well-known 8 perhaps with 6 (5)

13 Provide letters in order to trade, enclosing first of permits (5)

14 Fashion editor of Best (2,3,3)

15 Unprepared as most of bill requires cash (3,5)

16 Side-order transaction record (4,4)

18 See 10 Across

19 Chairman's supporter has yours truly stumped without answer (6)

21 Virtual successor to Capital D? (1-5)

23 Language of self love (3)