Sir Rupert Gavin is one of that small group of the great and good who, in recent years, has enjoyed the company of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex simultaneously.
He was one of just 13 guests to join the warring brothers for the unveiling of the statue of Princess Diana, in the Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace, in 2021.
But, at the age of 70, is he about to propel himself into the limelight in such a carefree manner that it manages the seemingly impossible and distracts attention from William and Harry’s frayed fraternal bond?
I ask because Old Etonian Sir Rupert – knighted in 2023, a year after stepping down as chairman of the Arts and Media Honours Committee – has evolved his domestic arrangements in a very sophisticated manner.
This emerged this week when he celebrated the publication of his first book – entitled Amorous Or Loving? – with a party at Foyles bookshop in London’s West End.
Asked if the blonde woman – perhaps a decade or more his junior – accompanying him was his wife, Sir Rupert replied: ‘No. This is my partner’, before adding: ‘It is very complicated.’
His ‘partner’, who was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the title of Sir Rupert’s book, confirmed that this was indeed the case, telling me, rather self-deprecatingly, that she was ‘just the girlfriend’.
Sir Rupert Gavin elebrated the publication of his first book – entitled Amorous Or Loving? – with a party at Foyles bookshop in London this week
Sir Gavin’s wife Ellen
It’s left to a chum to explain the arrangement.
‘Rupert’s wife, Ellen, was present at the party,’ she assures me, adding that Sir Rupert describes his relationships as ‘delightful’ as well as complicated.
He and his wife, Ellen Miller, an American, married in 1991 and have two daughters. Over the years, they split their time between a £5million mews house in Chelsea and a country retreat in Dorset.
Idyllic though this sounds, Sir Rupert has always sought adventure. His buccaneering career has included script-writing in Hollywood – where one of his bosses was Wilbur Stark, father of Prince Andrew’s old flame, Koo Stark – and penning heavy metal lyrics, as well as stints as boss of Odeon cinemas and chairman of Historic Royal Palaces.
Those hoping that Amorous Or Loving? might involve tales of bed-hopping in high places are, I fear, to be disappointed. Sub-titled ‘The Highly Peculiar Tale of English and the English’, the book charts the ‘unique evolution of our language’.
A spokesman for Sir Rupert says he and his wife ‘separated, amicably’ a decade ago and ‘continue to be good friends’.
Sherlock star joins fight against plan for new homes…
Sir Keir Starmer vowed to ‘take on NIMBYs’ who delay building projects, declaring earlier this year: ‘For too long, blockers have had the upper hand.’
So perhaps the PM should have a word with the wife of his Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, who has joined forces with Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch to stop the construction of a block of flats near their multi-million-pound homes in north London.
Justine Thornton has called on council planners to throw out the project that would see a two-storey, red brick 1930s house demolished and replaced with a six-storey block. ‘The design appears to be too tall, too bulky and too dense,’ she wails to the council.
Cumberbatch, who is married to theatre director Sophie Hunter, claims: ‘Approval would set a precedent… Could I now demolish my property and replace it with flats and not require the same extensive planning approval?’
The couple add in their objection that the designs do not fit with the area’s architectural heritage. ‘You only have to look at the adjacent properties to see the difference in style, materials, colours and feel,’ the couple’s letter adds.
The developer, HGG London, says the project will deliver ‘much needed two-bedroom and family housing’.
Benedict Cumberbatch, with wife Sophie Hunter, wants to stop the construction of a block of flats near their multi-million-pound homes in north London
They have lived lives of remarkable adventure and are both national treasures, but Sir David Attenborough, who turned 99 this week, and Sir Michael Palin, 82, are reluctant to join forces.
The pair have turned down offers from TV executives vying for them to collaborate on a series. Sir Michael, who attended the world premiere of Ocean with David Attenborough in London, tells me: ‘The idea has been mooted, but it never takes off as we do separate things. David has always said to me, “Your great thing is humans, and I don’t do humans.”’
Despite Sir David’s qualms, the former Monty Python star says of his pal: ‘He’s such an amenable bloke, he’s got a great sense of humour. Although he’s Sir David and one of the most renowned people in the world, he still likes to do ordinary things. He likes larking about a bit, when things go wrong filming.’
Sir David Attenborough, who turned 99 this week, and Sir Michael Palin, 82, are reluctant to join forces
The smart set’s talking about… Will Sussexes be the butt of society stand-up jokes?
After splitting up with Prince Harry’s close friend Arthur Landon, socialite Alessandra Balazs has found something to laugh about.
I hear that the daughter of Chiltern Firehouse owner Andre Balazs and Ford Models founder Katie Ford has just launched a career as a stand-up comedienne.
Alessandra, 36, was engaged to Arthur until they quietly parted ways last year, having been regulars on the party scene and guests at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018.
Now, Alessandra is adding stand-up comedy to her repertoire – and has shared a photograph of herself performing to a crowd at a New York club.
Auspiciously, she has been billed as an ‘up-and-coming star’ by the New York Comedy Club, which has hosted the likes of comedy giants Sarah Silverman and Pete Davidson.
With such colourful connections, she’s unlikely to be short of inspiration – or royal anecdotes. No doubt Harry and Meghan will be hoping they don’t find themselves the punchline.
Alessandra Balazs has launched her career as a comedienne – no doubt Harry and Meghan will be hoping they don’t find themselves the punchline
Becker girl’s dramatic bid – to be a Bond girl
Her life has been touched by drama since she was conceived at the Mayfair branch of Japanese restaurant chain Nobu, allegedly in a broom cupboard.
But Boris Becker’s daughter Anna Ermakova does not seek a life out of the spotlight. I hear that she has won a place at one of the world’s most prestigious drama schools, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. ‘I’m studying acting in London,’ the 25-year-old daughter of Russian model Angela Ermakova says.
Her heart, she admits, is set on one role above all. ‘Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a Bond girl.’
Anna Ermakovasays: ‘Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve wanted to be a Bond girl.’ Pictured last year
Cara’s love is one of the family
Cara Delevigne’s girlfriend is increasingly treated as a member of the family.
Singer-songwriter Minke, real name Leah Mason, joined the model for her sister Poppy’s 39th birthday in London and looked very much at home.
In a photo Minke, 33, smiles as she sits between the Burberry campaign star and her sister Chloe at the River Cafe. Cara, who first met Minke at boarding school, says it’s the first relationship in which she feels ‘really safe’.
Cara Delevigne with girlfriend Minke, centre, and sister Chloe, right
Fergie: Late Queen talks to me via corgis
Queen Elizabeth II died in 2022, but she still communicates with Sarah, Duchess of York through her two corgis, Sandy and Muick.
That’s according to Fergie, who looks after the dogs at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where she lives with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.
‘Every morning, they come in, they “woof woof”, and I’m sure that’s her paying a visit and talking to me through them,’ she tells me at the Creative Women Platform Forum at Plaisterers’ Hall in London.
She adds of our late monarch: ‘It was the greatest honour to be her daughter-in-law. I want everyone to remember what an amazing lady she was. She taught me: always be the chairman, never the CEO.’
The Duchess of York with her two corgis – Sandy and Muick
Jade Holland Cooper, whose equestrian style range is loved by the Princess of Wales, boasts less variety when it comes to her dining habits.
‘I chop out as many decisions as I can,’ explains the fashion designer, 38, who has two children with her husband, Superdry founder Julian Dunkerton, 60.
‘Food is one. Every day, I have the same lunch that I’ve had for two years – spaghetti bolognese every day at midday, without fail.’
And her love of strict routines extends beyond diet.
‘Day to day, I will often wear the same roll necks so I don’t have to think,’ she says.
‘There are only so many decisions you can make in a day.’
(Very) modern manners
Reaching 90 used to be a cause of celebration – and surprise.
But today it ought to induce a renewal of decorum and self-restraint, Lord Swire suggests. ‘So many people are 90 now, it’s almost naff,’ he announces – at the 90th birthday party for his mother, Philippa, Dowager Marchioness Townshend.
In fact, adds Swire, 65, in front of guests including the Countess of Shaftesbury, 44, the Earl of Albermarle, 59, and the Marchioness’s cousin, designer Cath Kidston, 66, it can only be a matter of time until ‘being 90’ appears on one of Nicky Haslam’s tea towels listing things that are ‘common’.
