His family’s ancestral seat is the amazing Badminton House, set in 52,000 Gloucestershire acres, his eldest brother is the Duke of Beaufort and his first cousins are the Marquess of Bath.
So Lord John Somerset — known to comrades as Johnson — might reasonably expect to receive a warm, even reverent reception at Harrods, “the world’s largest luxury department store,” as it proudly presents itself.
But not a bit of it: In extraordinary scenes, the 57-year-old was almost “frogated” by guards – a humiliation for anyone, but perhaps especially traumatic for a member of the aristocracy, even in today’s scrupulously egalitarian society.
The incident came to the attention of writer and ship’s heir Taki Theodoracopulos, who is godfather to Lord John’s daughter, Romy.
Lord John Somerset, 57, was almost ‘frog’ from Harrods
Lord Somerset, also known as ‘Johnson’, wore jeans and a paint-spattered jacket in the luxury department store
Lord John was married to Lady Cosima Vane-Tempest-Stewart, a confidante of Princess Diana.
Taki explains that “Johnson,” a music producer who has collaborated with Bryan Ferry, among others, was wearing jeans and a paint-spattered jacket.
Despite his decidedly dejected appearance, the slightly confused aristocrat (looking much smarter in the photo on the left) reached the fifth floor – home to Harrods’ technology department.
‘He was waiting to pay for a £500 speaker,’ adds Taki, ‘when he was approached by two retail heavyweights’.
Harrods Department Store has been open since 1849
The nobleman was then escorted and descended five floors at some speed, after which he was thrown from the building, but not before asking why – and was told it was because he was ‘inappropriately dressed’.
Perhaps it’s some consolation that at least he got into the store before being taken out.
That’s better than Australian pop singer and former Neighbors star Jason Donovan, who was denied entry 30 years ago for wearing ripped jeans.
And Luke Goss – a member of the 1980s band Bros – was refused entry by a Harrods doorman who allegedly did not recognize him.
Jagger’s girls are buddies after a fashion
Sir Mick’s girlfriend Melanie Hamrick may not be Lady Jagger yet, but she has developed a close bond with some of his children.
Sir Mick’s girlfriend, Melanie Hamrick
The American ballerina, 35, showed her support for his jewelery designer daughter Jade, who is 15 years her senior, by attending the launch of her first fashion collection at Annie’s Ibiza boutique in London’s Carnaby Street. Jade, left, whose mother is Sir Mick’s ex-wife Bianca, has three grandchildren. This makes Deveraux, the son of Mel of the 78-year-old Rolling Stones singer, a great-uncle at the age of five.
Not many people know that. † † Sir Michael Caine has finally sold his sprawling Surrey mansion. The Hollywood star, 89, managed to get £3.5 million for the seven-bedroom house, near Leatherhead, after slashing the price by £250,000 last year. The double Oscar winner bought the property – with indoor pool, hot tub, gym and cinema – 22 years ago for £1 million. He and his wife Shakira have downsized.
Binky hangs out for wedding Pt2
Wedding planning can be nerve-wracking, and Made in Chelsea star Binky Felstead has found an intricate way to unwind.
The mother of two exchanged vows with businessman Max Darnton, 32, in a civil ceremony at Chelsea’s old town hall last year, but is planning a spectacular second celebration in Greece soon.
Binky hangs out for wedding Pt2
“It’s all very exciting and a little stressful, so I’ve decided to hang out here for a while,” she says, referring to a Pilates session at a London studio, in which Binky, 32, was pictured doing a handstand with her did feet tied to a trapeze. “It was the most beautiful piece ever.”
Life has been worrisome for her lately — her one-year-old son, Wolfie, was rushed to hospital last week after hummus caused a severe allergic reaction.
Boris Johnson may be in the loop, but Sir Keir Starmer cannot speak for the nation, according to Oscar-winning former Labor MP Glenda Jackson. “I have to be very honest, I just wish Keir would get someone to help him develop that voice,” she says at an In Conversation event, where she discusses her career, at the BFI on London’s Southbank. Jackson, 86, adds, “One of his biggest drawbacks is that voice.” Go on, Glenda, name his other ‘cons’. † †
Days after Prince Charles was charged with taking bags of cash from a Qatari sheikh, I learned he had private conversations with the world’s third richest man.
I can reveal that the heir apparent Bernard Arnault, boss of French luxury goods giant Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton — and his son, Antoine, who married Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova in 2020 — entertained Monday at his home in Highgrove. A source at Clarence House says: ‘The meeting was part of His Royal Highness’ sustainable markets initiative. † † on bringing the champagne industry together to reduce its ecological footprint.’
But did Arnault bring a present?
Anita says her legs are still some kind of magic
Queen guitarist Brian May’s wife Anita Dobson caused a stir last month when she wore this short dress to a red carpet event.
Unkind critics claimed that at age 73, she was too old to show off her legs. The former EastEnders star tells me: ‘My legs are still there. I don’t really listen to what the critics say – you have to be strong enough to wear what suits you.’
The wife of Queen guitarist Brian May, Anita Dobson
Speaking at the National Film Awards in London, where she won the Lifetime Achievement Award, she adds: ‘If you feel happy and comfortable, that’s all.
“There will always be someone who loves you and someone who beats you for it.”