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Long synonymous with ladies who lunch (including Princess Diana when she was in the mood for a change from Le Caprice or San Lorenzo), Chelsea restaurant Daphne’s celebrated its 60th anniversary in characteristic fashion this week.
But, while Charles Delevingne (father of Cara, Poppy and Chloe) and other guests were greeted with champagne and treats, it was a newest member of the Chelsea Set who made the most stimulating contribution to the evening.
Former England striker Jermain Defoe, 41, laments what he sees as society’s tendency to hastily judge public figures.
“We all make mistakes,” he reflects. “(But in) today’s society, someone does something and they cancel it.”
No case has shocked him more than that of fellow former England star Jermaine Jenas, whose treatment, Defoe tells me, is indicative of regrettable double standards apparently based entirely on the color of someone’s skin.
Jenas was a presenter on The One Show, as well as a pundit on Match of The Day, until August, when he was summarily sacked by the BBC following allegations he had sent “inappropriate” messages to a female colleague.
Former England striker Jermain Defoe (pictured with Alisha Lemay) laments what he sees as society’s tendency to hastily judge public figures.
“He’s my friend,” Defoe says of Jenas, who was a presenter on The One Show, as well as a pundit on Match of The Day, until August, when he was summarily sacked by the BBC following allegations he had sent “inappropriate” messages. to a colleague.
“What I don’t like is that if you’re black and you do something wrong, every opportunity you have will be lost,” Defoe adds, “but if you’re someone else, you’ll find ways to get back.” in.’
He refrains from naming those who “have one opportunity after another.” Others may note that the first complaints about Huw Edwards were made to the BBC in May 2023.
Edwards did not resign until April this year, five months after his arrest, reported by the BBC, for possession of the most serious category of indecent images of children.
Ding dong, merrily at Highgrove!
- King Charles is selling Christmas decorations inspired by Camilla’s rescue dogs, Bluebell and Beth, for £12.95. “Complete with a royal red crown, this charming Jack Russell…is a splendid addition to your decor collection,” gushes the Highgrove store.
Queen Camilla poses with rattan dogs Bluebell and Beth in Highgrove Garden
The Harry Potter actress learns as she earns
When it comes to being Britain’s richest student, Emma Watson has the magic touch.
I hear that the Harry Potter star, who is studying a master’s degree in creative writing at Oxford University, has topped up her acting fortune with a £1.9m profit from Hestia Hebe, the private company into which she channels her money. earnings.
Emma, 34, who played Hermione Granger in the film series, reports £23.9 million in cumulative earnings for 2023.
Last year, it secured a £2.6m valuation boost in its deals with the City.
Emma Twason (pictured in February) has rounded out her acting fortune with a £1.9million win in Hestia Hebe.
Santa’s very touching night
The 60th anniversary party for Daphne’s, the much-loved Chelsea Italian restaurant, was a bittersweet affair for novelist Santa Montefiore, who attended with her daughter Lily.
Santa used to visit his sister, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, the socialite and TV presenter, who died in 2017 aged 45.
“When my sister was dating Mogens Tholstrup, her landlord, this was her second home,” says Santa, married to historian Simon Sebag Montefiore. ‘So we, who were in our early twenties, were here all the time. I have so many memories.
‘I guess it’s bittersweet, but I don’t come here and think about your loss. I come here and think, ‘Oh, weren’t those days great?'”
Lily Sebag-Montefiore (left) and Santa Montefiore (right) attend Daphne’s 60th birthday
Becker girl goes on vacation after wedding snub
Boris Becker’s daughter Anna Ermakova looked lost in thought as she enjoyed the Mediterranean sun after missing her father’s wedding.
The singer, 24, was conspicuous by her absence when Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro, 33, a political risk consultant, married the former Wimbledon champion, 56, in Portofino, Italy, last month.
Becker’s sons, Noah, 30, and Elias, 25, attended, but her fourth child, Amadeus, 14, was also absent.
Boris Becker’s daughter Anna Ermakova looked lost in thought as she enjoyed the Mediterranean sun after missing her father’s wedding.
Becker and Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro were married in Portofino, Italy, last month.
Harry is not invited to the luxurious Firehouse ball
The Chiltern fire station, where Princess Beatrice held her engagement party and Britain’s richest artist Damien Hirst met his girlfriend Sophie Cannell, who was a waitress there, will celebrate its 10th anniversary party tomorrow with a lavish masked ball.
Its owner, American hotelier Andre Balazs, describes the party as a “black and white affair” in homage to the famous Black and White Ball organized by author Truman Capote in New York in 1966.
The ultra-strict guest list has caused a stir, as no companions are allowed. Prince Harry is in London this week but has not been invited. “He’s not one of us,” a source tells me.
Princess Beatrice held her engagement party at Chiltern Fire Station (pictured)
Prince Harry is in London this week but has not been invited to the Chiltern Firehouse 10th anniversary party.
Will Ofcom boss become next cabinet secretary?
Ofcom chief Melanie Dawes, one of the nominees for the cabinet secretary role, would certainly bring a touch of landed class to Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street.
Mrs Dawes comes from one of the most beautiful historic houses in England, Birtsmorton Court in Worcestershire.
It has a magnificent moat – a good defense, perhaps, against any unwanted incursion by Sir Keir’s difficult chief of staff, Sue Gray, with whom the new Cabinet Secretary will have to forge some kind of working relationship.