The Duke of Norfolk has a busy year ahead.
Not only is he charged with organizing the coronation of King Charles, as Earl Marshal, but he now has one more big gig: his youngest son’s wedding.
I hear Lord Philip Fitzalan Howard, 26, who founded the Fauna Brewery, is engaged to events manager Georgia Fowler, 27, co-founder of the British Racing Club.
“I am absolutely delighted,” the Duke, Edward Norfolk, tells me from his family seat, Arundel Castle in West Sussex.
Lord Philip says, ‘We got engaged in Arundel. We’re planning a long engagement.’
Then there’s no chance of it interfering with the king’s great day. . .
Not only is he charged with organizing the coronation of King Charles, as Earl Marshal, but he now has one more big gig: his youngest son’s wedding. Pictured: Edward Fitzalan-Howard with Francesca Herbert (left) and Lord Philip Fitzalan Howard and Georgia Fowler (right)
“I am absolutely delighted,” the Duke, Edward Norfolk, tells me from his family seat, Arundel Castle in West Sussex. Pictured: With Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the State Opening of Parliament in 2015
Sussexes are responsible for ‘civil war’, ex-royal chaplain says
Prince Harry and Meghan’s lawyer Jenny Afia talks about a “war” being waged against her clients in the couple’s new Netflix reality show trailer.
However, one of Queen Elizabeth’s chaplains believes that it is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who have unleashed hostilities.
Dr. Gavin Ashenden, who was chaplain to Her Majesty’s late Majesty for nine years until 2017, says the royal family must be very concerned about the ‘docu-series’.
‘I’m afraid they must be very concerned,’ says Dr Ashenden. Meghan and Harry have sparked an existential civil war of sorts and there is no question that they are capable of inflicting serious damage on the royal family, in part because they fit into a certain social mindset and society is divided into two halves, one reactionary and a progressive half.
“The progressive half will support them without thinking, and the reactionary half, the conservative half, if I may call it that, has no protection against them.
“It would be much better if it weren’t for this civil war, but it is, and it will wreak havoc everywhere.”
Dr. Ashenden, 68, resigned as the Queen’s chaplain after criticism of a service at St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow, where a Muslim student was invited to read (in Arabic) a passage from the Quran that explicitly stated that Jesus was not the Son is of God.
His advice to the royals on how to respond to Montecito’s brickbats? “They have to ignore it and pretend it’s not happening,” he says on LBC. “Given the position they occupy in society, they have no mandate to attack.”
Catherine informs Lenique
The Princess of Wales has quietly shown her support for a jewelery designer who started her business with a loan from the Prince’s Trust
I can reveal that during her visit to the US last week, Catherine wore a pair of earrings made by London’s Lenique Louis
The Princess of Wales has quietly expressed her support for a jewelery designer who started her business with a loan from the Prince’s Trust.
I can reveal that during her visit to the US last week, Catherine wore a pair of earrings made by London’s Lenique Louis.
“Kate makes a conscious effort to support British brands,” Lenique tells me.
“She could have gone to any of the big houses, but she wanted to get them from an independent designer – helped by her father-in-law.”
Miss Louis, 37, used a £2,000 loan from the King Charles-founded charity to start her business in 2009.
Catherine wore a bespoke version of Lenique’s £285 Gold Spine hoop earrings.
‘I use recycled gold and my packaging is sustainable,’ says the designer.
A lady knight
Sir Derek Jacobi appeared in Vicious, a mildly amusing ITV sitcom starring fellow knight Ian McKellen, but how about a show with some ladies?
The celebrated star of Last Tango In Halifax, Jacobi, 84, enjoyed catching up with Dame Maggie Smith, 87, and her Downton Abbey co-star Dame Penelope Wilton, 76, at The Ivy in London’s Covent Garden.
Joining the illustrious trio behind it was Samantha Bond, 61, who played Miss Moneypenny in four James Bond movies.
They took part in the charity gala One Night Only, which supports theater workers in times of need.
They took part in the charity gala One Night Only, which supports theater workers in times of need. Pictured from left to right: Dame Maggie Smith, Samantha Bond, Dame Penelope Wilton and Sir Derek Jacobi
Is Sir Mick Jagger the best singer of the Rolling Stones? Irish star Andrea Corr, who recorded a riotous version of Blue Christmas with Ronnie Wood, tells me: ‘Isn’t Ronnie’s voice beautiful? There is life and earth there, I love it.
“I wanted someone to duet with, so I texted Ronnie and he called me. We worked it out in a hotel room in LA when he was on tour with the Stones.”
After rocking out with wrinkled hellraiser Ronnie, Andrea, 48, has found a more saintly duet partner.
‘I’m singing Saviour’s Day with Cliff Richard in his BBC Christmas special,’ says Andrea.
Is Sir Mick Jagger (left) the Rolling Stones’ best singer? Irish star Andrea Corr (right), who recorded a riotous version of Blue Christmas with Ronnie Wood, tells me: ‘Isn’t Ronnie’s voice beautiful? There’s life and earth there, I love it’
Italian choreographer Bruno Tonioli, 67, is on more than £3 million
Bruno Tonioli may have been dropped from the jury at Strictly Come Dancing, but he still shows off some impressive (financial) moves.
The Italian choreographer, 67, is sitting on more than £3 million, according to newly released accounts from the company used to channel his earnings, Fulvia, named after his late mother. They show that Tonioli has millions in net assets, including over £2 million in cash at the bank.
Although he is now a judge on Dancing With The Stars in the US, he is expected to return for the Strictly Christmas special this year.
Many TV chefs are launching restaurant chains under their names, but Aldo Zilli is scathing about those who fail to take the time.
“Many people open a restaurant and don’t show up,” he tells me at the opening of the Lucarelli restaurant at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge. ‘You can’t just put your name to it, you have to be there, train the staff and guarantee the quality.’