Parties You Will Never Get Into

In honor of three of Britain’s successful Formula 1 drivers, TAG Heuer threw a highbrow bash at The Mall in London on Sept. 15, 2008.

The event doubled as the opening to a photo exhibit commemorating more than half a century of British competitors in Formula 1 racing. Jean-Christophe Babin, TAG Heuer CEO and President, witnessed “Britain’s three motor racing greats” take center stage at the event.

Top racer Lewis Hamilton, currently the F1 championship leader, was the man of the moment. His older compatriots, Sir Stirling Moss OBE and Damon Hill OBE, also joined him in the limelight, where the three shared memories about the sport. At one point, Moss metaphorically advised Hamilton, “When it rains, the road shines and the grass doesn’t. Stay on the shiny thing.”

Lewis Hamilton is a spokesperson for the watch brand. Presently, TAG Heuer has aligned itself with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, Hamilton’s winning team.

But TAG Heuer has been sponsoring Formula 1 long before Hamilton was born. In fact, the brand has a separate TAG Heuer Formula 1 range of timekeepers.

More than 400 were invited to give homage to the racers. Amidst a sea of F1 enthusiasts, there were the likes of model Natalia Vodianova, who came with husband Justin Portman, and Scream actress Neve Campbell.

Fashion’s glitterati also went to celebrate, like Welsh designer Julien Macdonald. Olivia Inge and Jade Parfitt, presenters at VogueTV, also mingled with the glamorous set.

Chronicles of Narnia heartthrob William Moseley kept the median age lower that day, in contrast with legendary Pink Floyd member Nick Mason. Kirsty Gallacher, Danny Cipriani, Tamara Beckwith, and Giorgio Veroni all sidled up to the party, too.

Proceeds from the TAG Heuer fête went to Save The Children, a nonprofit group dedicated to improving the lots of children the world over.

TAG Heuer has been making watches and chronographs since its founding in 1860 by Edouard Heuer.

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In the late afternoon of June 25, 2006 (Australian EST), Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman and Grammy Award-winning country music star Keith Urban tied the knot at a small cliff-top chapel in the beachside Sydney suburb of Manly. Although Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii and Urban was born in New Zealand, both of them were practically raised in Australia.

The two were married in a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony inside the gothic-style Cardinal Cerretti Chapel that rests on the grounds of the former St. Patrick’s Seminary. Along with a slender veil and a pair of pearl drop earrings for her accessories, Nicole Kidman was dressed in a flowing white gown designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga. Kidman also held a long-stemmed bouquet of white roses. Urban, on the other hand, wore an elegant black suit with a white rose pinned on his suit’s lapel. Escorted by her father, Nicole Kidman rode on a cream Rolls-Royce Limousine coming from her mansion by the harbor on the way to the chapel, while eager spectators lined on the streets in order to get a glimpse of Australia’s sweetheart. While the there were several media and onlookers standing outside the compound desperately trying to capture shots of the event, the couple managed to hold a solemn and private ceremony inside the gothic chapel. The chapel was simply romantic as it was lit by around 1,000 candles. The entire compound was fully guarded by the police, private security guards, and a high-wire fence to prevent unwanted guests from gaining access. A gazebo was also mounted on the grounds to accommodate the couple’s guests.

The wedding ceremony was officiated by Father Paul Coleman and around 230 family and friends attended the event. Actor Hugh Jackman was one of the first visitors to arrive. Other prominent guests included Media mogul Rupet Murdoch and wife Wendy Deng; director Baz Luhrmann; actor Russel Crowe; actress Naomi Watts; and Nicole Kidman’s children from ex-husband Tom Cruise, Isabella and Connor. After the wedding, Urban grabbed his guitar and serenaded his wife with his song Making Memories of Us.

His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles of Wales, celebrated his 60th birthday last Nov. 14, 2008. His mother, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, threw him a black-tie gala on November 13, 2008, the eve of his 60th birthday. More or less 450 friends, dignitaries, heads of state, and Europe’s royals came to Buckingham palace to greet Prince Charles. Crowned guests included King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, and Prince Philippe and Princess Mathilde of Belgium. Politicians included UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai. Legendary singer Shirley Bassey was also in the guest list.

Guests were received with lavish champagne, after which they walked to the palace ballroom for a concert of The Philharmonia Orchestra. Conducted by Christopher Warren-Green, who directed for the Prince’s second wedding, the recital lasted for over an hour.

For the private candlelight dinner, The Queen led the Royal Family to the Queen’s Gallery. Wearing a champagne-colored gown and diamond-studded choker, she was joined by the celebrator; his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; siblings Anne, Andrew and Edward; sons William and Harry; and father Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Lady Sarah Chatto, the Queen’s niece, was also in attendance.

Great Britain’s royals dined on venison culled from the Queen’s Highland estate, Balmoral, salmon, and sorbet. Liam Stevenson, Master of Wine, had readied a bottle of Puligny Montrachet 2006, Chateau Leoville Barton St Julien 1988 with the main course, Sauternes Barsac 1996 with the dessert, and Royal Vintage 1955 as port. The most vintage wine was sourced from the Palace’s own cellar.

Prince Charles left before midnight. He awoke on his birthday to a 41-Gun Salute from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, followed by a 62-Gun salute in the Tower of London.

That night’s bedecked dinner was only the first of two, the other one being a less formal celebration, with entertainment from rock star Rod Stewart. Actresses Dame Judi Dench and Joanna Lumley and comedians Rowan Atkinson and Sanjeev Bhaskar were invited to the merriment at the Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. Stephen Fry and Alan Titchmarsh also attended; so did Nicholas Soames MP, Winston Churchhill’s grandson, and Sir David Frost.

Princes William and Harry attended the bash thrown by the Duchess of Cornwall.

Ecologically conscious glitterati virtually feasted on forage in a timely throwback to Great Britain’s primordial past as “Albion.” That banquet, called The Feast of Albion, drew the A-list, promoted organic food and the notion of transforming trivial ingredients into designer dishes.

Chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mark Hix created a satiating five-course dinner — from anything edible within 50 miles of London’s Tower Bridge. It’s not enough that these are cooked organically; they must be transported to Hix’s kitchen with less environmental impact as possible. Many ingredients were shipped aboard a rowing boat and bicycle.

The menu consisted of items from the dense urban sprawl of Central London. The nettles for the soup were harvested from Hyde Park and by the River Thames. Other ingredients like broccoli and oysters were from organic gardens and fisheries.

For the main course, venison shot at Windsor Great Park was used to make the sumptuous roast fillet, braised shoulder and offal faggot with bay and juniper sauce. The same source went for the venison sausages with Cumberland sauce.

Canapés, other than the sausages, included Laverstock Saddleback brawn on sourdough toast with piccalilli; mutton and turnip pies from Gloucestershire, around the M4; home-smoked Hanningfield Reservoir salmon with potato latkes and horseradish; and nettle beer rabbit.

For starters, diners feasted on Bay pickled herrings caught in Thames Bay, with roast beetroots from Romney Marsh, and salad of crispy pig’s head from Laverstock Park complemented by soft-boiled ducks’ eggs with spring leaves and celery leaf salt.

The dessert was honey covered while Venezuelan black truffles made in a Devon chocolate factory were also served. Diners had cheeses from a Berkshire farmhouse while savoring Cider apple brandy. Champagne also overflowed.

Individual meal tickets cost £1,000, yet over 400 people still attended the grand feast. Jemima Khan, Sophie Dahl, Richard Caring, Trudie Styler, Richard E Grant, Nick Jones, Jasper Conran, Patrick Cox, Matthew Vaughn, Charlotte Tilbury, and Laura Bailey peopled London’s Guildhall on March 13, 2008 for the banquet. Annie Lennox serenaded the diners, which included Mick Jagger, who gave her a standing ovation.

Diners bid on pricey eco-themed items, to benefit the Farm School initiative of The Soil Association. Jamie Cullum was the night’s highest bidder, paying £20,000 to fish and cook with Fearnley-Whittingstall and Hix. By evening’s end, the feast had raised £330,000.

In a stunning off-shoulder Armani gown, Katie Holmes walked down the aisle of the Odescalchi Castle in Lake Bracciano, Italy where she married Mission Impossible superstar Tom Cruise in November 2006. Katie, who was escorted by her father Martin, looked fabulous in her Swarovski beaded gown. Tom, on the other hand, was dashing in his navy blue Giorgio Armani tuxedo. The couple’s 7-month old daughter, Suri, wore an organza and chiffon Armani baby dress which, according to the famous designer, was inspired by Katie’s bridal gown.

The wedding entourage included Tom’s adopted children, Isabella and Connor, plus the Church of Scientology’s big man David Miscavige who was Best Man, and Katie’s Matron of Honor, her sister Nancy Blaylock. It was a romantic candlelit ceremony.

Despite the rain that poured earlier, selected celebrities and friends celebrated the meaningful event with the newlyweds and their families. At the reception, where Katie changed into another Armani creation (a beautiful champagne evening gown), guests enjoyed cocktails before being served Italian hors d’oeuvres and a sumptuous multi-course meal.

One of the party’s attractions was the couple’s five-tiered chocolate wedding cake which was elaborately decorated with marzipan roses and white chocolate chips.

Will and Jada Smith, one of the couple’s closest friends, were present to celebrate the joyous occasion. Other A-list celebrity guests were Victoria Beckham, Brooke Shields and husband Chris Henchy, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, and Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy.

When the song “What a Wonderful World” was played, Katie danced with her father and by the time Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird” was playing, Katie was already swaying in the arms of her husband.

Italian singer extraordinaire Tom and Katie’s Wedding to Remember.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II gets to celebrate two birthdays in a year. We wrote previously about her private birthday bash. The Queen was born on April 21, but as per tradition, she must celebrate a second birthday on any of the first three Saturdays of June. Tradition has it that having an official birthday in summer suited well those royals whose birthdays fall under the cold winter, when outdoor festivities are hardly fit.

When she turned 80 in 2006, Her Majesty celebrated a third birthday, on December 5. Her closest company and courtiers attended the Queen’s belated 80th birthday party, held in five reception rooms at the 50-year old Ritz Hotel, the Queen’s favorite. Attendees were treated to a five-course meal and stayed on after the Queen left at dawn.

Over 300 well-wishers attended the bash, including Greek royals King Constantine, Queen Anne-Marie, Crown Prince Pavlos, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and Prince Nikolaos. Others in attendance were the Duke of York, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Princess Alexandra, Peter Phillips, Autumn Kelly, Lady Helen Taylor, Lady Sarah Chatto, and Lord and Lady Nicholas Windsor. Margaret Rhodes, one of the Queen’s best confidantes and former lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother, was believed to have been present.

Charles, The Prince of Wales and wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, skipped the celebration in favor of a fundraising gala at Windsor Castle. Grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry were also no-shows; William was practicing for the Sandhurst passing out parade that time, while Prince Harry was fulfilling military exercises. Before one could remark family feud, Buckingham Palace officials reminded everyone that The Prince of Wales had already thrown a party for his mother at the Kew Palace in April.

Her Majesty’s private bash at the Ritz was spearheaded by Lady Elizabeth Anson, a cousin. A distinguished events planner, Lady Anson was also the brains behind the party celebrating 50 years since the coronation of The Queen.

London’s glitterati and high echelons soared dizzyingly above strata to the Diner des Tsars in 2007. Organized by heiress Jemima Khan, among others, the grandiose event rehashed the decadent feast enjoyed by Tsar Alexander II in Paris.

Incredible still by today’s standards, the historic banquet had happened in Paris’ Cafe Anglais during the 1867 World Art Fair. World-celebrated chef Adolphe Duglere had whipped up a 15-course extravaganza enjoyed by Tsar Alexander II, Tsarevich Alexander III and Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia.

One-hundred forty years later, on March 29, 2007, Tom Aikens, the Michelin-starred chef, was designated to recreate imperial gastronomy. Acclaimed designer Michael Howells styled the 15th century Great Hall of London’s opulent Guildhall for the event.

No less than ₤1 million bankrolled the feast, an eight-course meal. Diners cloyed themselves with roast veal, poached turbot, braised beef shin, beef tartar with horseradish cream, chicken consommé, lobster, foie gras with port fig purée, and caviar with avocado purée and cucumber jelly. For dessert, there were plenty of chocolate mousse, panna cotta and spiced pears. Diners got to imbibe such exquisite champagnes as 1999 Louis Roederer Cristal along with premium wines from Quintessentially.

For four hours, the well-heeled gourmands gorged on the lavish meal while entertained by the talented Zoe Rahman Sextet, the New London Children’s Choir, opera singer Katherine Jenkins, and renowned British ballerina Darcey Bussell, who danced with Carlos Acosta. The Cossack dancers from Kuban gave the requisite Russian element to the event.

Merry feasters, numbering around 350, included the likes of Lord Freddie Windsor, Mariella Frostrup, Tom Parker Bowles, Eddie Jordan, and Zac Goldsmith. Mischa Barton, Ben Chaplin, Natalia Vodianova and Jacquetta Wheeler were some of the comely gourmands that night. Each shelled out £1,500 for a meal ticket.

Proceeds from Diner des Tsars, amounting to approximately £200,000, all went to UNICEF.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, now longest-serving British sovereign on high, turned 80 on April 21, 2006. The Royal Family arranged the day’s capstone—an intimate dinner fit for a queen.

Leading to his mother’s special day, Prince Charles of Wales had facilitated the restoration of the stately Kew Palace at Windsor. Ten years in the making, the refurbishments were finished just in time for the queenly occasion.

Not since George III had a royal dined at Kew Palace. Two centuries ere, the monarch and former Prime Minister Lord Sidmouth helped themselves to some mutton chops at the palace’s dining room. For her natal day, Her Majesty and the Royal Family huddled around a very private feast good for a little over 25 people. On the menu were Juniper-roast loin of Sandringham Estate venison, Hebridean smoked salmon, and birthday chocolate sponge cake with Highgrove fruit filling. Present at the dinner table, among others, were Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William, Prince Harry, The Princess Royal, Rear Admiral Laurence, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, The Earl and Countess of Wessex, and The Duke of Edinburgh.

As a gift to her “darling” mother, Prince Charles set off marvelous fireworks and laser lights outside Kew Palace. The display happened before dinner and was witnessed by a crowd of 2,000.

Earlier, Prince Charles paid tribute to his mother over BBC Radio 4. The Queen was greeted in the morning with a larger-than-usual flag-raising ceremony at Windsor Castle and 21-gun salutes at the Windsor Great Park, Cardiff and Cornwall.

Queen Elizabeth was born in 1926. After the death of King George VI, she was crowned queen sovereign on June 2, 1953.