Six years after I revealed that the Duke of Beaufort exchanged vows with journalist Georgia Powell in front of a handful of guests from St Michael and All Angels, he will return to church at his 52,000-acre badminton estate in Gloucestershire for an infinitely sadder experience . ceremony.
The Duke’s younger brother, Lord Edward Somerset, has died aged 66.
A thanksgiving service will be held at St Michael and All Angels before Christmas.
Yesterday, a family spokesman described Lord Edward as “much loved” and said he had died “peacefully at home” earlier this month. But rock musician Duke (‘Bunter’ to his friends), 72, refuses to comment.
His reluctance is perhaps understandable. Lord Edward, known as Eddie, who had problems with drink and drugs, was jailed for two years in 2014 for punching, kicking and scratching his wife Caroline in their home on the Badminton Estate over a period of 22 years.
It was an embarrassing decline for Eddie, who had befriended Sir Mick Jagger when he ran an art gallery in New York.
He and Caroline attended the Rolling Stones singer’s lavish 50th birthday party in London. The couple, who had two children, split up but Lord Edward’s long-term girlfriend, Chloe Banks, continued to support him during his prison sentence. She even posted a Facebook message urging friends to commemorate his birthday.
But just six months after his release, having served just seven months of his sentence, he ruthlessly dumped her.
Lord Edward, who was given a £57,000-a-year boarding school in Millfield, is said to have split from the blonde divorcee after deciding he needed to focus on mending fences with his own family. Chloe was reportedly devastated.
Lord Edward Somerset with his wife Lady Caroline Somerset
Duke of Beaufort and wife Georgia Powell at the 100th Gold Cup race day at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival
In the photo: the monumental badminton house, which was the main seat of the Dukes of Beaufort since the 17th century
Emma from Strictly loves Carlos’ ballet
Emma Weymouth rose to fame with her waltzes and tangos on Strictly Come Dancing, but her heart lies in ballet.
And this week the Marchioness of Bath – to give Emma, 38, her real title – was in the company of former Royal Ballet star Carlos Acosta, 51, at the gala performance of Nutcracker In Havana, his touring production, at London’s Southbank Centre. . “I’m a very good friend of Carlos and his family, and very excited about his new show,” she tells me. “I love dancing and watching incredibly talented people.”
Emma, who lives at Longleat House in Wiltshire with husband Ceawlin, the Marquess of Bath, 50, and their children, enjoys being taught by those at the top of their game. This year she convinced tennis player Serena Williams to be her instructor during a training session.
Emma Weymouth (left) shot to fame with her waltzes and tangos on Strictly Come Dancing
Denim rules in royal wardrobe
Fashion designer Donna Ida, whose jeans have been worn by the Princess of Wales, has given insight into Catherine’s devotion to denim.
‘She is a young mother and wants to play with the children; she won’t want to wear a dress every day,” the Australian told me at the Restaurant Association’s gala dinner in London. ‘She’s just like us. She dresses so beautifully at all the events she goes to, but at home she likes to wear jeans and a nice sweater.
‘Her little man, Louis, is cheeky, so he doesn’t sit down and say, ‘Mommy, can I help you?’ She’s going to run after him, so jeans are a good choice for her.”
Fashion designer Donna Ida, whose jeans have been worn by the Princess of Wales, has given insight into Catherine’s dedication to denim
‘I got fired’: Brian Cox on failed fantasy film
Brian Cox, best known as the gruff Logan Roy, who fired off expletives in the hit television drama Succession, was once cast as the voice of regal lion Aslan in a film adaptation of CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch And The Garderobe. “I got fired,” he admits. “I’m not vain about it, but I think I can talk.”
The role ultimately went to Liam Neeson.
Cox, 78, explains: ‘The problem was that the director wanted it quiet and the sound engineer wanted it much more dynamic and bigger. I could see what was going on and of course, from the actor’s perspective, I do the delivery – how you twist it is your business. So it was tough. But they paid me, and that was the most important thing.”
Brian Cox is best known for firing off expletives in the hit television drama Succession
The eponymous lawyer discovers he is next in the line of fire
Tory peer Lord (David) Wolfson, a lawyer, reveals he is sometimes mistaken for the other Lord (Simon) Wolfson, who is CEO of the fashion chain Next.
Matters are made worse by parliamentary emails, because standard computer keyboards have the letters S and D next to each other.
‘He [Next’s Wolfson] often receives emails asking for advice on legal issues,” says Wolfson KC, “and I get emails complaining about pants not fitting.”
Lord Simon Wolfson (photo) is CEO of fashion chain Next
‘Torrent’ letters in parents’ bid to secure place at Eton College
Consider Sir Nicholas Coleridge, who earlier this year became Provost of Eton College – the equivalent of chairing governors at other schools.
“I find myself receiving a flood of letters and emails from friends of friends hinting that they hope I can help them secure a place for their sons or grandsons,” says Sir Nicholas, former King of the glossy magazine world.
‘There is a strict admission system here, which is carried out with integrity, and it is difficult if the prospective boy has not attracted the attention of the selector.’
Sir Nicholas Coleridge became Provost of Eton College earlier this year – the equivalent of chairing governors at other schools
“Of course I talk to trees,” says Bridgerton actress
King Charles once made a memorable comment: ‘I like to talk to the plants and trees and listen to them. I think it’s absolutely crucial.”
And his example is followed by film queen Adjoa Andoh.
Adjoa Andoh, 61, stars as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton
“Of course I talk to trees,” says the 61-year-old actress, who plays Lady Danbury in Bridgerton.
‘There is something ancient and intimate about them.
“They’ve seen it all.”
Speaking at a party celebrating the Big Give 2024 Christmas Challenge, which raised a record £44.7 million in one week, she tells me: ‘Sitting under a tree with dappled sunlight is my favorite place to be. ‘