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LORD LUCAN

Meet the man on the trail of Britain’s most famous fugitive

ALSO INSIDE: Jimmy Choo and Anya Hindmarch

United Kingdom

This Grade-II listed home is located on the prestigious Wilton Crescent in Belgravia. Furnished by La Maison in 1865, the elegant townhouse boasts emerald, pearl and ruby-like hues across its six-storeyed interiors, accessed via a lift. With a large terrace and private courtyard, it’s the perfect balance of modern amenities, thoughtful revival, prime location and heritage.

£44,000,000 | 7 Beds | 7 Baths | 9,494 sq. ft.

Curators

ADAPTABLE COMFORT

The EOOS Embrace Outdoor Lounge Series reflects Carl Hansen & Søn’s commitment to timeless design, craftsmanship, and sustainability. With seven adaptable modules, it seamlessly integrates into various outdoor settings, balancing functionality, beauty, and enduring quality. Its modular structure features an FSC™certified, untreated teak frame with soft earthy-toned upholstery, and a hand-woven flat rope back.

Embrace Outdoor Lounge Sofa Contact for pricing.

E023 Embrace Lounge Table Price: £ 805

Flagship Store London

48A Pimlico Road, Belgravia London, SW1W 8LP

london@carlhansen.com

MG501 Cuba Chair Price: £ 791

- Friday: 10 am - 6 pm

Berkeley Square House, Berkeley Square, London W1J 6BD

Editor & publishing director

Jonathan Whiley 020 7259 1057 jonathan@pubbiz.com

Deputy editor Bibi Cooper

Subeditor

Kate White

Designer Katie Stafford

Advertisement managers

Bridget Rodricks 020 7259 1059

Richard Taylor 020 7259 1051

Circulation manager Julie Ward

Publisher

Adrian Day 020 7259 1053 adrian@pubbiz.com

THE WHEEL DEAL

Easily the coolest skateboard you will ever see at the skatepark, the Louis Vuitton watercolour skateboard designed by Virgil Abloh in 2021 is a must-have piece for any fashion-conscious concrete cruiser.

£4,500, Love Luxury, 48 Beauchamp Place

GREEN WITH ENVY

This Templar ring is crafted from 18-carat gold, green tourmaline, diamonds and a tapestry of blue enamel. It’s an exceptional piece that is sure to add some sparkle to your day.

£34,200, Elizabeth Gage, 5 West Halkin Street

THAT’S MY JAM

This exquisite yellow pear jam jar from Buccellati is a functional work of art. Crafted from Murano glass and topped with sterling silver leaves, we refuse to eat jam served any other way.

Hot list

The best buys this month

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

VA-VA-VROOM

Rev up your bookshelf with Assouline’s Rare Cars: The World’s Most Exclusive Rides. Housed in a sleek polished aluminium case, the cover is made of rubber with a metal title plate and the end-pages are scented with rubber-infused essence.

£1,995, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

BUCKET LIST

Embellished with colourful sequins, beading galore and crystals, the Pez bucket bag adds some playful fun to any outfit.

£895, Anya Hindmarch, 16 Pont Street

TOP 3 BAG CHARMS

ADD INSTANT STYLE WITH THESE CUTE CLIP-ONS

CHAIN REACTION

Hand-assembled in the heart of London, Lucky Charmz is a covetable collection of bag chains. Featuring insanely cute charms drawn from a mix of vintage and new, you are guaranteed a oneof-a-kind piece that spices up any

£2,950, Bonadea, 20 Pimlico Road

CHERRY ON TOP

Created exclusively for the re-edition of the Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection, this whimsical and oh-so-cute cerise bag charm is top of

£480, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Celebrating 20 years

It has been a trailblazer for modern Indian food, and is one of the most important Indian restaurants in the history of its genre.

“The vibrant, original cooking remains in the memory long after you’ve departed” THE MICHELIN GUIDE

HALKIN ARCADE (OFF LOWNDES ST), LONDON SW1X 8JT amaya.biz

PLAY TIME

The Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground will undergo a £3 million “renewal” funded by The Royal Parks charity. The playground, built in 2000 next to the late princess’s Kensington Palace home, will close in the autumn for work to begin and will reopen in spring next year. The renewal will focus on inclusive play so children of all abilities can play together. It will include a new ship and features such as a tunnel slide and “treehouse encampment”, with a see-saw bridge and interactive musical equipment.

WALK AND TALK

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg has been elected the new lord mayor of Westminster. Born in Manchester, he moved to Westminster in 1973 and has been involved in Westminster politics ever since. During his term, he plans to be “the walking lord mayor” by establishing a programme of walks promoting environmental and personal wellbeing and encouraging residents to explore and learn more about their local area.

NICE TO MEAT YOU

Founded in 2007 with a mission to revive the British butchery tradition, award-winning traditional family butcher shop Parson’s Nose has opened its newest location in Belgravia. Selling a wide range of premium, free-range British meats (including the Belgravia sausage!) and artisan deli items, it’s located at 81 Ebury Street. Delivery and click-andcollect are available and it also runs a selection of butchery masterclasses.

SPOTLIGHT ON SKIN

Internationally renowned aesthetics practitioner Libi Roos has opened the doors of her first UK-based clinic in Belgravia. Located at 12 Eccleston Street, the Libi Roos Skincare Clinic offers bespoke, high-performance treatments that are uniquely tailored to every client. With 20 years of experience, she specialises in bespoke facials, advanced skin solutions and laser treatments.

This summer’s pavilion at Serpentine Galleries has been designed by acclaimed Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum. A Capsule in Time is an elongated capsule-like form built around a ginkgo tree, made up of four wooden sculptures with translucent panels that diffuse and dapple light when it enters the space. Inspired by summer park-going and arched garden canopies, it is free to enter and will be in place until October 26.

Upfront

The latest local news

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

FASHION FORWARD

Maison Schiaparelli has a newly expanded space at Harrods. Following the successful launch of its first British flagship space in 2023, Schiaparelli has now doubled its footprint at the Knightsbridge department store. Drawing inspiration from some of the brand’s most iconic historical elements – most notably the surrealist and theatrical themes born from Elsa Schiaparelli’s collaboration with Salvador Dalí – the striking space has a gold-leaf domed ceiling adorned with original hand-drawn sketches.

COLD CALL

The benefits of cryotherapy take centre stage in a new book by Maria Ensabella, the founder of Belgraviabased LondonCryo. Reinventing Cool: How to Make Cold Your Best Ally Against Inflammation, Pain, and Aging is co-authored by Maria with Antra Getzoff, vice-chair of the Global Wellness Institute cryotherapy initiative. The book is a practical guide on how to use low temperatures safely and effectively and was launched with an event at LondonCryo’s Eccleston Place studio last month, hosted by journalist Bryony Gordon.

KING OF ARTS

For the past 40 years, artists personally selected by King Charles have accompanied him on royal overseas tours as the official tour artist, with the brief to draw or paint whatever inspired them. Now, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace have more than 70 of these works on display, many for the first time. The King’s Tour Artists exhibition features works personally chosen by the king and offers a rare insight into decades of royal travel through the eyes of some of the most talented artists. It runs until September 25. Tickets £32 from rct.uk. Buckingham Gate

IMAGE: RICHARD FOSTER

August & September

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

What’s on

SUMMER SHOW

Crane Kalman’s latest exhibition, A Summer Selection: Modern British, European and American Art, features an eclectic mix of work from many illustrious artists. Ranging from LS Lowry’s haunting paintings to thought-provoking sculptures by the likes of Lynn Chadwick and Tom Stogdon, a multitude of mediums ensures there is something to suit all tastes. The exhibition runs until August 1. 178 Brompton Road

FUTURE OF FOOD

An interactive exhibition on how food must change to protect the planet has opened at the Science Museum. Future of Food explores how science is creating more sustainable ways of producing and consuming food. With more than 100 historic and contemporary objects, including McNuggets, cricket burgers, cell-grown salmon and a 3,500-year-old loaf of bread found in the tomb of an Egyptian queen, it asks visitors what future they want for their plates and the planet. The free exhibition is on until January 4. Exhibition Road

A wanted man

Sandra Rivett was brutally murdered by Lord Lucan before he mysteriously vanished in 1974. Her son tells us why he’s chasing the truth and believes his mother’s infamous killer is still alive

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

In the living room of his home in rural Hampshire, builder Neil Berriman is showing me the gold bracelet that belonged to his late mother. It’s the same one she was wearing on November 7, 1974 – the night she was brutally murdered. Neil’s mother was Sandra Rivett – the nanny bludgeoned to death in Belgravia by the aristocrat Lord Lucan and an often forgotten victim in one of the world’s biggest unsolved murder mysteries.

“It’s very special,” the softly spoken 58-year-old says of the bracelet. “To think that she was wearing it on the night of the murder is a bit upsetting. When you look at it, it’s slightly dented. Obviously she was trying to protect herself as he was raining all these blows with the pipe. It’s terrible.”

When the police arrived they found the lifeless body of Sandra stuffed in a mail sack in the dark basement kitchen of 46 Lower Belgrave Street. The three Lucan children were safe upstairs, while a blood-covered Veronica (Lady Lucan) had escaped to the Plumbers Arms screaming “Help me! I’ve just escaped being murdered!” as she burst through the doors. Richard John Bingham (Lord Lucan) had vanished.

Did he escape to Africa? His younger brother, Hugh Bingham –who died in 2018 – said Lucan would not have committed suicide and was smuggled to Africa to begin a new life.

Or, most extraordinarily of all, is the world’s most famous fugitive still alive? More than 50 years on from that infamous night, Neil believes he has tracked down his mother’s murderer – now 91 years old and living under a false identity in Australia. Has the fortune of “Lucky” Lucan finally run out?

Neil’s quest for justice is an astonishing, stranger-than-fiction story involving Scotland Yard, secret filming and AI facial recognition software. At one stage Neil even assumes his own false identity, that of ageing hippy “Bezza Dugal”, in order to infiltrate a community of Australian

A nationwide manhunt ensued and sightings and speculation have continued ever since. Did Lucan do the so-called “honourable thing” by committing suicide? His borrowed, bloodstained Ford Corsair was found in Newhaven on the Sussex coast with a spare length of lead piping in the boot. Did he kill himself by jumping off the Channel ferry? His close friends in the “Clermont Set” – a group of gamblers who met at the Clermont Club, a casino in Mayfair’s Berkeley Square – always said he took his own life that night.

“He was an English gentleman,” the late songwriter Bill Martin, a Belgravia resident who used to play backgammon with Lucan, told Belgravia the type to hide away in Bolivia or something like that.”

It unfolds in a recent BBC documentary , and on the pages of a new

The Search for My Mother’s Murderer Neil co-wrote the book with investigative journalist Glen Campbell, whose own interest in the case dates back to 1995 (even

For Neil it all began when he opened a thick brown envelope on his 40th birthday. It was left to him by his adopted mother, who had died from cancer three years earlier. “I went upstairs and laid it all out on the bed,” he the first birthday cards a discoloured newspaper

“I didn’t understand why it was in there,” he says. “I started reading about Stephen [Hensby, Rivett’s son] and I thought: ‘Crikey, that’s really sad that his mother’s been murdered by the aristocrat.’ I knew the story because everybody did, but

Neil was trying to grasp the connection. His birth record stated his biological mother’s name was Sandra Eleanor Hensby,

but how did that fit with the names of Stephen Hensby and Sandra Rivett? Then he read another newspaper cutting that explained how Sandra Rivett had been married to a Royal Navy sailor called Roger Rivett, but they had separated and Sandra’s maiden name was Hensby. Stephen, he realised, must be his half brother, and his biological mother was the victim in one of the biggest criminal cases in British history. “I thought: ‘It can’t be true, can it? That doesn’t really happen, does it?’”

Sandra had been due to get married in 1967 to Roger Rivett but discovered the year before that she was pregnant by another man. At birth, Neil was passed into the care of the navy, allowing Sandra to marry Roger without impediment.

“Everybody only ever spoke about Sandra having one son. I was a big secret. A lot of people have said: ‘Lord Lucan is not your dad is he?’ The emails I’ve had saying: ‘We’ve watched the documentary and you look like the old man.’” Has it ever crossed his mind? “I can’t see how it would work, because I think my real father is still alive – but I’ve never approached him.”

For conclusive proof of his birth mum’s identity, Neil sent off his birth certificate.

“That is when it really hit home. I thought: ‘Oh dear, what do I do now?’ I had a lot of hatred towards a man [Lucan] I never knew.”

Since the bombshell discovery, Neil has tirelessly combed through old files, press cuttings, interviews and witness statements. He has also spoken to key names, from the detective sergeant who found his mother’s body to the late Lady Lucan. They would email each other, but she refused to meet him. “I don’t think Veronica was as mad as people make out. She used to get cross with me because I didn’t put ‘Countess’ Lucan.”

Lady Lucan, who died in 2017 from a cocktail of drink and drugs after diagnosing herself with Parkinson’s, separated from her professional gambler husband after Christmas 1972. His debts were vast and Neil says Veronica was “both an embarrassment and constant thorn in his side”.

was the intended victim all along? “I believe Sandra found out what was going on and I think there was a custody case for the children that was coming up in a couple of weeks’ time and she was going to spill the beans and he would have lost that. It wasn’t mistaken identity; I think he went there to probably kill both of them.”

Does he believe that Lucan knew Sandra had changed her night off? Originally she wasn’t meant to be working on the night of the murder. “He would have people tracing and tracking what was going on, [so] he would have known. If you look at mistaken identity, he would have known straight away, the way in which Sandra died and the beating she took, he was there to kill. She ended up drowning in her own blood.”

Neil has seen pictures from the night in question, including of his mother. “That was horrific. It really spurred me on that there is no proof of this man being dead.”

“

I would like to see justice. I’m still highly motivated. At the end of the day it’s all about Sandra, the mother I never knew ”

A bitter battle over custody of their three children ensued, which Lucan lost. He embarked on a subsequent campaign to discredit his wife, spying on her and recording her insulting him during arguments.

“Sandra wasn’t phased by Lucan,” says Neil, who has since learned about his mother through her boyfriend at the time, John Hankins. “She brought a sense of calmness and I think she was willing and prepared to stand up to his antics. There were two or three death [funeral] wreaths that used to turn up from Lucan to put pressure on the house.”

The widely accepted narrative of what happened on that infamous night is a case of tragic, mistaken identity – Lucan struck Sandra believing her to be his wife. But what if Sandra

The emotionally charged rollercoaster that followed has taken its toll. In 2012 Neil fell into depression and experienced vivid dreams of his mother’s arm hanging out of a sack with her bracelet tinkling.

He was on antidepressants for two years – “Lucan-free as I called it” – and then he had a phone call from a private detective who had read in a newspaper that George Bingham, Lord Lucan’s son, was seeking a presumption of death certificate for his father. Lucan had been legally declared dead in 1999, but it wasn’t until 2016 that a presumption of death certificate was issued to allow his son to assume the title as the eighth earl of Lucan.

Neil initially lodged an objection. He had a Scotland Yard intelligence dossier that stated the belief that Lord Lucan was alive, but to produce the evidence in court would compromise the source. He withdrew his challenge. “That was a big blow. I wish I’d done it now.”

A key piece of evidence in Neil’s belief that Lucan is still alive centres on AI DeepFace facial recognition software used by Professor Hassan Ugail at the University of Bradford. The expert has previously used the technology to identify the Russian agents as the Salisbury poisoning suspects and in the case of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

When Neil asked cross-checks to be run between the pensioner in Australia and historic images of Lucan, he was told the pictures “belonged to the same individual or someone who looks extremely like them – like identical twins”. Two additional tests with respected AI departments also produced similar if not stronger results.

In the BBC documentary all roads lead to Australia, where Neil comes face-to-face with the old man (with four names) he believes murdered his mother. The pensioner’s identity is

confusing and contested; he later tells the BBC he was conceived in 1935 at Stonehenge and his biological father was a puppeteer who performed for the young princesses Elizabeth and Margaret at Buckingham Palace. Another bizarre twist in a complex and at times, surreal story.

Now, 50 years since an inquest jury named Lord Lucan as the man responsible for Sandra’s murder, Neil hopes that if the Bingham family are reading they will come forward with their DNA to establish whether the man in Australia is Lord Lucan.

“I wouldn’t beg and I wouldn’t plead, but I would ask them as a family if they are sure their father is dead. If they have watched the stress and emotional pain I’ve been through, would you not think one of them would come forward and say: ‘I’m more than happy to let Neil Berriman have my DNA and would only be too pleased to see him get peace and the rest he deserves.’ That way I would know I’ve got it wrong and walk away.”

Questions and lines of investigation remain. Did Lucan return to London from Grants Hill House in East Sussex on the night of the murder? Neil says he has evidence to suggest he may have been at the Stork Club on Mayfair’s Swallow Street and then holed up at a flat in Chelsea where a cleaner spotted him.

Is there any truth in the claim that his mother and Veronica were having a lesbian affair? In the original police files Neil found a letter from Lady Lucan’s solicitor – dated February 1976 – advising her on action to be taken in response to a magazine’s intention to publish a story with the allegation. Neil wanted to ask Lady Lucan about the letter face-to-face, but she always declined to meet him.

What of the mystery “third man”, living in the house before the murder and mentioned in a witness statement? Neil says he has reason to believe he was a policeman and is still alive.

And what really happened after that infamous night? Neil believes Lucan decided to have plastic surgery and then went to Nepal. “From Nepal I think he went straight to Australia in about 1977, 1978. Africa is a smokescreen. It was too obvious.” As for the old man? Neil believes he has stolen the identity of a man named Derek Crowther.

Will the truth ever emerge? Neil remains confident. “I think people should be a little bit worried over the next six months if all goes according to plan,” he says cryptically. “I would like to see justice. I’m still highly motivated. At the end of the day it’s all about Sandra, the mother I never knew.”

You can visit Neil’s website at lordlucanthetruth.com

PINT OF LUCAN?

The Plumbers Arms at 14 Lower Belgrave Street doesn’t shy away from its infamous footnote in history as the pub that a blood-covered Lady Lucan ran into on that fateful night in 1974. It has an upstairs function room named the Lucan Suite and three years ago it introduced a Lucan ale, which Greene King says “the locals love and so do the tourists”. When Belgravia & Knightsbridge magazine visited, the draft bitter was off temporarily, which seemed fittingly elusive.

“Personalised,” Olyvia Kwok says, pausing for a few seconds to let the word breathe. “I would like my business to be just that.”

The Knightsbridge resident and art entrepreneur is telling me about Bruton + Co. Based in a roomy second-floor premises on Bruton Street, Mayfair, the venture is not a gallery – exhibitions and events will take place there, but Kwok and her company will not represent the artists.

Kwok does not have a problem with the gallery model, but she knows its flaws. “They’re salespeople, they’ll sell you what they have,” she says. “With dealers or advisers, traditionally, you’re looking for something. For example, you say: ‘I want to buy a Picasso for £5 million or a Banksy for £2 million.’ Whatever you’re looking for, they search for it and tell you why you should buy the one that they have found.”

On the other side of the coin are your investment managers, stockbrokers or private equity houses, who know the FTSE inside out but are not art specialists per se.

Bruton + Co is not a dealership or an art advisory firm in the traditional sense either. Rather, it offers a partnership relationship with collectors and investors as well as management services to up-and-coming artists with strong commercial prospects, helping them navigate the notoriously opaque parameters of the art world.

On the art investment side its services include estate planning, portfolio management, auction structuring and even advice on using art to hedge currency. It also offers access to distressed situations through strong relationships with lawyers and receivers, allowing its clients to potentially buy rare works not found elsewhere.

Kwok’s passion for art is palpable, but one thing that bugs her is a predilection to buy art for art’s sake. “Anything under £50,000 you can call it a day, good, bad or indifferent. You like it, [that’s] fine, but anything above that… wouldn’t it be nice to feel a bit more secure in the sense there’s going to be a big audience who wants it, or the chances of growth are really high?”

One thing that has been a constant throughout Kwok’s career is an ability to foresee lucrative opportunities, from catching the Asian contemporary trend in the early noughties to building an art fund for emerging markets and moving into pop art just before it popped.

“I’m a little bit ahead of people I guess,” she says. “I don’t do BS. I’m quite straightforward and honest. I make mistakes but I admit when I make them.”

Creative thinking

Knightsbridge resident Olyvia Kwok’s latest venture is neither a gallery nor an art dealership. Instead, the entrepreneur is building a business to help investors navigate almost every aspect of the art market

WORDS: WILL MOFFITT

Did you know that opposite Harrods, you can defy the law of physics in a zero-gravity room? Or disappear within the realms of a giant kaleidoscope? Welcome to the Paradox Museum –where nothing makes sense.

Founded in 2022 by Miltos Kambourides and Sakis Tanimanidis, the museum has grown into a global brand. First opened in Oslo, it now operates around the world, in

Paris, Miami, Stockholm, Berlin, Las Vegas, Shanghai and, most recently, London.

On paper, Miltos and Sakis come from completely different backgrounds. Miltos is a serial entrepreneur, an avid traveller – so far he has visited 148 countries – and the founder of several successful businesses. Sakis is also an entrepreneur and a keen traveller, but he’s most commonly known for being on television, creating and hosting some

Surreal space

Step inside the Paradox Museum, full of weird and wonderful rooms where nothing is quite as it seems

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

of the biggest TV shows in Greece. He recently introduced Dragons’ Den to the country.

The two men met through a mutual friend. “We immediately clicked,” Sakis says. “Miltos was talking about visiting his 120th country and I was just back from filming in the Amazon. We realised we both saw the world not just as it is, but as it could be.”

“From that very first meeting we saw the potential to build something meaningful together,” Miltos adds. “Our backgrounds are very different – investment and media – but that’s exactly what made the collaboration so powerful. The combination of our worlds sparked the concept of the Paradox Museum.”

In a time where many people feel more connected to their phones than experiences, the concept may seem a risk, but the visitor numbers say differently –people are hungry for it. “The response to our first museum opening in Oslo was incredible,” Miltos says. “It confirmed that people crave meaningful and immersive experiences.”

seems? Where people could play with reality? That’s how the Paradox Museum was born. A space where imagination meets innovation.”

“

It’s like hitting pause on reality and stepping into a world where anything is possible ”

Since then, the Paradox Museum has brought its perception-warping vision to other parts of Europe, Asia

This summer marks the museum’s first anniversary in Knightsbridge. Visitors can experience more than 50 exhibits and 25 immersive rooms, with optical illusions at every turn. They can disappear into the walls of the camouflage room, try walking in a straight line in the paradox tunnel and enter the reverse room, where everything is upside down.

Why did the duo choose to base the London branch here? “Knightsbridge is iconic,” Sakis says. “It’s where culture, luxury and creativity converge – and we felt the museum belonged right in the heart of that energy. London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, and we wanted to offer something truly different for both locals and tourists.”

“Opening in a city like London was exciting and intense,” Miltos adds. “Londoners have high expectations, and that pushed us to elevate the experience. We’ve created something truly unique, and the reactions so far have been phenomenal.”

and the US. “Every opening feels like the first,” Sakis says. “What’s exciting is seeing how people from different cultures respond. It’s grown into something much bigger than we imagined. It’s become a global movement in experiential entertainment.”

The idea for the museum was sparked by the pair’s fascination with how perception shapes our reality and the desire to challenge people’s perspectives. “There’s a beautiful tension between what we see and what is,” Miltos says, “and we wanted to turn that into an experience.”

“We live in a world that often feels predictable,” Sakis says. “So what if we created a space where nothing is as it

The museum is very Instagram-friendly – visitors are always stopping to take a snap of themselves in one of the many mind-bending rooms – but Miltos and Sakis think it goes well beyond taking a photo for the ’gram.

“Perception-warping taps into something deeply human,” Miltos says. “The desire to understand and be amazed at the same time.”

“It’s like hitting pause on reality and stepping into a world where anything is possible,” adds Sakis. “That sense of play and curiosity, it’s universal.”

From £21.50 for children and £29 for adults, 90 Brompton Road

Designer white gowns, diamonds and debutantes – the Queen

Charlotte’s Ball, run by The London Season in Knightsbridge, is regarded as the most sought-after ball in the world.

We meet its custodian, a former deb herself, ahead of the 246th extravaganza

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

Having a ball

Despite existing since 1788, the Queen Charlotte’s Ball is shrouded in mystery. Considered the world’s most sought-after debutante ball, a quick Google reveals a world of young women in white designer gowns, bejewelled in diamonds, posing in ornate rooms and cutting sixfoot cakes with swords.

Originally established to present young women to society and raise money for Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital (one of

the oldest maternity hospitals in Europe), the ball remains elusive and exclusive to this day. It’s run by The London Season, based in Hans Crescent in Knightsbridge, which “for 200 years has been the heartbeat of upper class and British society”. It stages and manages exclusive social, cultural and charitable events attended by royalty and ambassadors from Europe, the Middle East, Russia and China.

This September the 246th ball will take place at One Whitehall Place within The Royal Horseguards Hotel, with a strict limit of 150 guests. In the run-up to this most prestigious of occasions, we met Jennie Hallam-Peel, custodian and chair of the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, to lift the curtain on the invitation-only event that is patronised by the Duke and Duchess of Somerset.

Jennie is a former lawyer, with a husband who is a lawyer and four children (also lawyers). She was appointed to the role in 2002 by the former custodian of The London Season, Peter Townend, who ran it for 40 years. Townend was a former social editor of Tatler and compiled a little black book with the names and addresses of suitable potential debutantes (each year writing to parents in turquoise ink to invite their daughters to take part).

As a mother of two debutantes and a former deb herself, Jennie is poised, polished and precise. Everyone involved with The London Season works voluntarily and events are non-profit making, but

Selecting the 20 or so debutantes chosen each year is no easy task. The process begins with an application form and a full CV. “My day typically begins with answering the innumerable email queries which come from all over the world, requiring historical information or applying for a place on the debutante list,” says Jennie.

The next stage is a personal interview with Jennie and several patrons. “This year we have 21 debutantes, the majority of whom are British, but we also have three girls from Mayflower families in America, a Belgian debutante and a debutante from the Middle East,” she says.

The ball begins with a receiving line and a champagne and canapé reception before the debutante procession in which the debs – in those signature white dresses – are presented by their fathers. Traditionally, the ceremony signalled the start of the social season and enabled British aristocracy to showcase their daughters to well-heeled suitors.

“

People seek reassurance in an event that is perpetuating a longstanding tradition... where courtesy and good manners prevail ”

This year’s gowns are being created by Josephine Scott. The six-foot Queen Charlotte cake changes each year – “this year’s cake is still being designed” – and there will be a four-course dinner with wines, dancing and traditional Scottish reeling.

“My generation was all about the parties,” says Jennie as we talk about the latest generation of debs entering the fray. “This generation is all about career enhancement and networking in an increasingly stressful world, but also hopefully taking the charity ethos with them in their lives.”

While the world of debutantes and balls may seem frivolous and outdated to some, the fundamental basis of The London Season has remained unchanged since its conception: to support charities in the UK. As well as the ball, Jennie is involved in ancillary events such as the Berkeley Dress Show, which this year is at the House of Lords with gowns by Belgravia-based royal couturier Stewart Parvin.

Jennie’s passion is driven by her belief in social etiquette and protocol. She has harnessed it expertly, resurrecting the debutante scene by relaunching the ball in 2009 after years of absence.

“In an increasingly violent world and a diminishing of British traditions, manners and courtesy, together with an increasing loss of British identity, people – and most especially the young –seek reassurance in an event that is perpetuating a longstanding tradition, which helps children in need across the world,” she says. “It is a happy evening at a nostalgic, traditional ball where courtesy and good manners prevail.”

The London Season also organises overseas charity tours in India in honour of its late patron, Prince Mohsin Ali Khan. “The prince was hugely supportive,” says Jennie. “We have just returned from Delhi with supporters and guests to attend a banquet and award ceremony kindly arranged by Princess Kumari and a memorial dinner in Jodhpur kindly arranged by the Jodhpur royal family.”

The London Season’s message to the world? “To use privilege to develop compassion, kindness and courtesy,” says Jennie. “And look outwards to help those who have no resources to help themselves.”

Enjoy world-class health and wellness and incredible experiences aboard

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ULYSSIA’s partnership with Chenot brings world-class health and wellness expertise on board, offering residents personalised treatments and cutting-edge diagnostics in a state-of-the-art 1,900-square-metre facility. From advanced medical services to transformative wellness and fitness programmes, every element is designed to future-proof the body and restore vitality.

“Chenot Group is delighted to introduce its science-based project, offering experience where they will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in tailormade programmes matching the destinations they will be visiting around the world,” says Dr. George Gaitanos, chief operating and scientific officer, Chenot Group. “On top, through this collaboration, Residents can assess their health, benefit from innovative and evidence-driven wellness treatments from the World’s Best Detox Programme, and place their longevity plans at the forefront—all under the expert guidance of

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

“The lifestyle on board is unparalleled,” says chief operating officer, Renato W. Chizzola. “As someone who has lived on a residential yacht for over two decades, I can confidently say that this experience is unlike any other. Residents will wake up to stunning views, with options for breakfast in their apartments, at a deli, or in a restaurant. Activities range from heli-skiing in Greenland to relaxing in our world-class wellness center. Children can participate in an onboard education program, tailored to their individual needs, with expert tutors and immersive learning experiences.In the Arctic, residents can visit Inuit communities, gaining first hand insight

DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE ARCTIC

From the warmth of your private residence, wake to the sun’s first rays illuminating Greenland’s icy floes. Head down to the bakery, where the aroma of loaves of freshly baked rye bread, crafted with local grains, fill the air. This is no ordinary morning - this is a call to explore the world’s untouched corners from the sanctuary of ULYSSIA.

Start your adventure with a helicopter ride to a pristine, untouched slope, far beyond the reach of any ski resort. Glide down powdery, uncharted snow, each descent connecting you to Greenland’s stark, silent beauty. Back on board, a chef has prepared a Japanese omakase experience in your residence. Seated by your floor-to-ceiling windows, enjoy the delicate flavours, each bite an artistic creation, as you take in the awe-inspiring view: a polar bear and her cubs moving gracefully across the ice, their forms stark against the endless white landscape.

Drawn by the quiet mystery of the deep, reconnect with nature in the afternoon

into their traditions. In warmer destinations like the Maldives, they can snorkel alongside whale sharks, dine on private islands, or explore untouched coral reefs. These expeditions provide opportunities for deep cultural immersion, guided by leading experts in archaeology, marine biology, and conservation.Our itinerary is built around four key pillars:

• Cos mopolitan Cities (New York, San Francisco, London, Sydney)

• Ya chting Destinations (Monaco, Mykonos, Madeira)

• Pa radise Destinations (Great Barrier Reef, Maldives, Seychelles)

• Ex peditions (Antarctica, Amazon, Papua New Guinea)

as you embark on an underwater journey in one of ULYSSIA’s Triton Submarines. Explore the icy, tranquil waters, discovering rare creatures including river dolphins, gracefully weaving among submerged icebergs. Returning to the yacht before dusk, restore yourself with a deep-tissue massage in the Chenot spa.

As night falls, let your senses lead the way. Indulge in Nordic inspired dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients, as you share stories of the day’s extraordinary moments with friends and family.

After dinner, ULYSSIA’s world opens up anew, with entertainment offerings that transport you. Step into an enchanting world of Greenlandic cultural tradition with a captivating drum and mask dance performance. Find yourself both thrilled and amused by this unforgettable glimpse into Greenland’s social, spiritual and mystical roots.

Return to your residence

via the extensive ULYSSIA library, where you take out The Illustrated Atlas of the Universe. The moon casts a silvery glow across the ice floes, transforming the world into a luminous dreamscape, as you study the stars from your private terrace and catch a rare glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. Enjoy the stillness of the Arctic night and the tranquil beauty of this untouched world before your own eyes.

Drift into sleep with visions of new horizons and untold wonders, knowing tomorrow brings another ULYSSIA day - another filled with discoveries and memories that will stay with you wherever the journey leads.

ulyssia.com @myulyssia

More than a move

Pickfords Gold sets a higher standard for both domestic and international moving in and around the heart of London, offering a comprehensive range of services to ensure a seamless transition to your new home.

From meticulous packing of your belongings to specialised handling of antiques, fine art and highvalue items, our expertise caters to the unique needs of discerning homeowners.

Fully bespoke and tailored to suit owners of homes of distinction, Pickfords Gold ensures that every aspect of your move is handled with the utmost care and professionalism. Est.1646

Contact Pickfords Gold:

0203 188 2544

gold@pickfords.com

www.pickfords.co.uk/gold

Our dedicated on-site move executive acts as your personal representative throughout the process, overseeing every detail to provide peace of mind.

Additionally, our white glove home makers service goes beyond the move itself, offering bed-making, kitchen setup and wardrobe organisation to make your new house feel like home.

FLAT OUT

Tap into the mesh shoes trend with these Elspeth ballet flats in a stunning dark cherry red shade.

£158, Reiss, 163-169 Brompton Road

IN THE PINK

The espadrille is a summer staple –this pretty and pink number features floral embroidery inspired by a vintage Spanish shawl and gorgeous ballet ribbon ties.

£179, Penelope Chilvers, 75 Elizabeth Street

GOING WILD

A pair of wedges with attitude, this Saint Laurent patent leather pair features a bold leopard-print calf-hair wedge heel, perfect for achieving that rock star chic vibe.

£905, Harvey Nichols, 109-125 Knightsbridge

FLORAL FANCY

ON YOUR TOES

Perfect for the summer and sure to be the talking point of any soiree, these Schiaparelli heeled mules are a work of art.

£3,300, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

Leather, satin and lace make up these playful, pointed slingbacks. With vibrant, hand-embroidered flowers in a multitude of colours, they are summer in a shoe.

£955, Rene Caovilla, 14 Lowndes Street

Well heeled

WOVEN WONDERS

Channel laid-back vibes with these refined driver shoes crafted from woven leather and finished with a gold snaffle detail.

£345, Russell & Bromley, 77 Brompton Road

ALL WHITE

When the dress code states “summer whites”, these sleek leather trainers will do the trick.

£710, Church’s, 143 Brompton Road

RISE AND SHINE

Ideal for evenings, the Jimmy Choo Foxley loafers in patent leather are made for the discerning gentleman.

£750, Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Road

STYLISH SANDALS

Don’t fall into the dadsandals trap – get a pair that actually look good.

£490, Burberry, 1 Sloane Street

BLUE SUEDE SHOES

These ocean-blue suede loafers are ideal for summer holidays. Bonus: they’re also water-repellent.

£485, Crockett & Jones, 155 Brompton Road

Jimmy Choo’s name is practically a synonym for shoe. The legendary designer has made a career out of creating some of the world’s most iconic footwear over the past 30 years. But did you know that his first boutique was in Belgravia, on Motcomb Street? It opened in 1996 and set the ball rolling for global expansion, with more than 200 stores worldwide today that include a coveted spot in the Harrods shoe hall.

So after fashioning women’s footwear for three decades, is there a magic formula for creating the perfect shoe?

“If the heel is too high, the balance will not be right and the shoes will be very difficult to wear; you will feel pain,” Jimmy tells Belgravia & Knightsbridge magazine.

“Some use four inches and some use four and a half, but you must have the experience; if you don’t feel comfortable at the beginning it won’t be comfortable at the end.

“If you wear it for eight or 10 hours, even myself, I cannot last that long with my own high heels. But here’s the secret: if you feel tired or uncomfortable, you must get a partner next to you so you can hang on him. A good partner can take the weight!”

Jimmy’s spirited demeanour is infectious and not at all what you might expect from someone who has forged such a successful career in the cut-throat world of fashion.

His niece Sandra Choi is now the creative director of Jimmy Choo, after Jimmy sold his own stake in his eponymous brand in 2001.

SOUL TO SOLE

Jimmy clearly still enjoys talking about his career, during which he has worked with countless wellknown faces ranging from rock stars to royalty. Diana, Princess of Wales memorably wore a pair of Jimmy Choo pale-blue satin slingbacks to a performance of Swan Lake at the Royal Albert Hall in June 1997.

“I was working with the late Princess Diana for seven years,” Jimmy says. “I would have lost her as a customer if the shoes weren’t right. It’s easy to know when you make a good shoe when you have a customer for 10 years and they still come back to you.

In

an exclusive interview, iconic shoemaker Jimmy Choo – who opened his first boutique in Belgravia – reflects on his humble beginnings in Malaysia, designing shoes for Princess Diana and the importance of giving back

WORDS: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

“ People say I can stop, it’s true. I can stop, relax in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, wherever I want to, but I think once you do that you don’t use your mind any more ”

ABOVE: JIMMY CHOO

IMAGE: JAY ANDERSON COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHY LONDON

RIGHT: DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES ARRIVING AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL TO WATCH A PERFORMANCE OF THE BALLET SWAN LAKE IN JUNE 1997

IMAGE: ALAMY

“It has to be a feeling [making a good shoe]; a feeling like when as a father or mother, you look at your child and you think they’re so great, so happy. It’s that feeling – like your children.”

His affable nature must have something to do with his humble beginnings in Malaysia, making shoes from the age of 11 and watching his father stitching all the raw materials by hand as there was no glue.

“In the old days there was no phone or TV or anything, so when I finished school I would do my homework and watch my father,” Jimmy says. “At 12 years old, if you didn’t want further education a lot of people became craftsmen. Now you never see children of such a young age learning all the craft. Parents want further education.”

His upbringing no doubt played a part in his goal to start the Jimmy Choo Academy, which he founded in 2021, and he has become dedicated to helping the next generation of designers fulfil their potential.

“I think it’s very important to pass on your skills. My father, as that Chinese generation, said we always pass on our skills. If you don’t pass on your skills everything disappears and no one follows in your footsteps.

“The UK has the best education in the world and I still believe this. I came from Malaysia, which was a British colony. We learned everything from the UK, so I set up the academy in London. If you’re not in London you have no Jimmy Choo.”

Jimmy is now 76 but there is no sense that he is slowing down. “Old is when you’re depressed, unhappy. Old is when you don’t want to go forward and you don’t want to work,” he says.

“A few years ago I went to Beijing to do a TV show and one of the Vogue editors said: ‘I respect Jimmy Choo, look at him, he never gives up, he still wants to work by hand to create beautiful accessories for

“People say I can stop, it’s true. I can stop, relax in Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, wherever I want to, but I think once you do that you don’t use your mind any

“If you want to keep going you have to use your mind all the time so you can get younger. Also, I don’t smoke and I don’t drink, I don’t eat very spicy food and I sleep early, that’s all. Get enough sleep, drink enough water and more importantly, if you’re happy then you can create more happiness for you.”

What does success mean to him? “Successful is how to make people happy, learning more things in life going forward,” he says. “You make more money, but you need to know how to give back to old people and give money for education.

“I enjoy people, it doesn’t matter how they are – a normal family, a wealthy family – they still can be a friend and have respect for each other. It’s very

Immaculate penthouse apartment

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Summer eats

From a Mediterranean pop-up to a new Chapel Down partnership

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

FRENCH CONNECTION

A new bistro concept is set to open on Motcomb Street. La Bistrot Collection – from the team behind Bagatelle Group – will open Café des Lilas at 26 Motcomb Street in a space previously occupied by neighbourhood favourite Motcombs, which recently relocated to Mayfair. “We’re thrilled to be bringing the neighbourhood bistro back to people’s hearts; the home away from home we all deserve,” said Aymeric Clemente, co-founder and president of La Bistrot Collection and Bagatelle Group.

NATURE CALLS

A new afternoon tea at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is inspired by the botanical beauty and heritage of nearby Cadogan Gardens. A Tribute to Nature draws on the storied past of the beautiful private garden square, with creations by the hotel’s executive pastry chef, Martin Haidar, reflecting the rich diversity of its flora. The tea begins with an amuse-bouche of beetroot and orange espuma, followed by savoury sandwiches including Burford Brown egg with watercress and Coronation chicken. Guests will then enjoy four seasonal scones with inventive pairings such as chocolate thyme with black mulberry jam and to finish, four intricate pastries including a mascarpone blossom sponge with cherry raspberry gel and a lavender chocolate barquette with whipped lavender cream. From £85 per person.

BERRY NICE

The Lanesborough Grill has launched a new midsummer menu celebrating the best of British seasonal produce in collaboration with Chapel Down. The menu, created by the hotel’s executive chef, Shay Cooper, is a tribute to the tastes of summer in partnership with the award-winning English sparkling wine producer. The menu includes dishes such as coronation crab salad with curry leaf sabayon, Dover sole cooked on the bone (grilled or in brown butter), buttermilk quail with sweetcorn and jalapeño and desserts such as strawberry, lime and lemon verbena Eton mess.

THE BIG CHEESE

A new smash burger concept has opened in Belgravia. HBR at 14 Eccleston Street has a menu that includes the OG (double smashed patties with melted cheese and pickles), Double Trouble (a cheesy saucy twist on the original) and the Shroom (a beef patty loaded with mushrooms and Swiss cheese). Other items include signature curly fries, onion rings, jalapeño bites and crispy chicken creations. For those with a sweet tooth, try Bascota’s viral sweet creations. The HBR space features seating for 28 people with an open kitchen and is also available for delivery.

CAPRI CHIC

Savour a slice of la dolce vita with The Berkeley rooftop and pool – usually reserved for staying guests – Capri in the City pop-up. Taking inspiration from the Italian island, cocktails are in collaboration with Malfy Gin and include a signature gin granita. Sharing platters, small plates (Caprese salad, marinated octopus) and pizzas with toppings such as lobster with peppers are all on the menu. To finish? Try the tiramisu for two or Amalfi lemon sorbet. Open Thursday to Sunday, 7.30pm until 11pm (tables can be booked, sun loungers for walk-ins).

Going out

A taste of Provence or a slice of Capri glam? Our pick of the area’s best al fresco spots this summer

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

TASTE OF PROVENCE

Sleek Provençal restaurant Amelie, on the ground and first floor of the Pantechnicon building at 19 Motcomb Street, recently unveiled its summer terrace collaboration with Miraval. Channelling the elegance of the Côte d’Azur, it serves a selection of perfectly chilled rosé including sparkling Petite Fleur de Miraval Rosé NV Champagne, Miraval Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence and the show-stopping magnum Muse de Miraval. A new lunch menu, designed to complement the wine, includes Scottish steak tartare and French favourite escargots.

CHAMPAGNE

PLEASE

Chic hotel The Hari on Chesham Place has partnered with champagne house Perrier Jouët for a summer takeover of the hotel’s indoor/outdoor terrace. Enjoy Perrier Jouët Grand Brut, Blanc de Blancs or Blason Rosé by the glass or bottle under a retractable glass roof. Three champagne cocktails are also available, with a selection of light bites such as oyster mushroom bao buns and grilled tiger prawns. The terrace is also available for exclusive hire – perfect for an intimate summer soiree.

A STORY IN EVERY BOTTLE. Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s original wine and spirits merchant, proudly trading from our home in St James’s for over 325 years. Step into our Spirits Shop to explore an extraordinary collection of the world’s nest and rarest spirits - from single malt Scotch and Japanese whisky to Cognac and beyond. As a valued reader, enjoy an exclusive 10% saving on in-store purchases.* Visit us and discover something exceptional.

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Visit our Spirits Shop to discover which whisky, rum or mezcal will be the start of your

EDUCATION

AMANDA CAROLINE CRONIN, BELGRAVIA RESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF HER OWN EPONYMOUS BEAUTY LINE, HAS ALSO JUST OPENED A DOCTOR-LED CLINIC IN BELGRAVIA, THE SECRET DOOR BY AMANDA CAROLINE

“I had a wonderful experience growing up in the countryside. I went to the local village schools in Bursledon, Hampshire – infant and junior – and we had a lovely, wholesome education. What made it so special was how connected we were to nature. We’d go on nature walks and beach study camps, and I remember doing these beautiful little projects on birds and plants. It was just so magical to be in a country village school. That definitely shaped me. I was a good student and always curious. I loved being outside, making perfumes from rose petals, and I was always drawn to history and geography. Later on, I went to a much bigger school in the city, St Anne’s Catholic Convent School in Southampton, for my senior education. It gave me a deep sense of faith. We used to go to Lourdes on pilgrimages, and I loved being around the nuns and in the chapel. It was a very grounding environment. At St Anne’s, the nuns were just lovely. Sister Mary Oliver, Sister Bernard Xavier and Sister Denise were warm, good and godly women even when they tried to be strict – they were full of kindness and fun. I do remember Mrs Kelly, our very strict English teacher, always telling me off for wearing makeup and stilettos to school. I was a bit of a rebel and obsessed with fashion and beauty from a young age.”

MARK FIELD, FORMER MP FOR THE CITIES OF LONDON AND WESTMINSTER BETWEEN 2001 AND 2019, HAS JUST PUBLISHED HIS MEMOIR THE END OF AN ERA –THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE TORY PARTY “It is fashionable nowadays to dwell on painful childhood memories, but when I reflect on my schooling, it is with gratitude at how well it set me up for life beyond. I attended a traditional grammar school, which was run in the manner of a minor public school, albeit with vastly superior academic standards. Funnily enough on this very day I am looking forward to an evening out with my oldest friend from those days. It is 49 years and counting since we first met. I owe some of my inspirational teachers more than I shall ever be able to repay. Never one to suffer from imposter syndrome, I remember how a few well-chosen words at an impressionable age were literally life-changing. At 13, as I perused that year’s Oxbridge results on the school notice board, the then headmaster caught sight of me: ‘Ah, Field, that will be you in five years’ time!’ A few years later another inspirational master gave a lecture as we began our A-level studies. His words stuck in my mind even if the ambition they inspired was to remain unspoken for many years: ‘Sitting in front of me today are future captains of industry, senior officers in the armed forces and members of parliament.’”

FRANCESCO SARDELLI, GENERAL MANAGER AT THE HARI HOTEL

“I was born and raised in Puglia, Italy, in a beautiful town not too far from Brindisi, where my parents owned a farm and I spent most of my summers growing up. At school, I always tried my best but found it difficult to concentrate and struggled to keep up. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to leave formal education early. Instead, I threw myself into the world of work, trying my hand at a range of roles across different industries. Looking back, those years gave me invaluable experience and a broad set of skills I still rely on today. It was only years later that I realised I had symptoms of ADHD. Determined to give education another shot, I moved to London – although I couldn’t speak a word of English – and joined a school exchange programme. I was lucky to live with an incredibly supportive host family and picked up the language pretty quickly. Eventually, I enrolled at the University of Westminster as a mature student, where I earned a BA honours in marketing. My school journey wasn’t straightforward, but I believe it’s the blend of practical experience, brilliant mentors and formal education that shaped who I am today.”

Back to school

Local people reminisce about their school days and how those early experiences shaped who they are today

AS TOLD TO: SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS

BELGRAVIA RESIDENTS MAIYA ROBERTS, LAW GRADUATE, AND SISTER CAT ROBERTS, AUTOMOTIVE CONTENT CREATOR

MAIYA: “My school days were very busy, but I loved it. Lunch breaks were often filled with learning musical instruments, evenings were filled with sports training and drama rehearsals, and that was before prep had to get done. One of my favourite memories from school is going over to Cat’s boarding house when I had a spare evening. I would sit on her bed and eat five Cadbury chocolate bars in a row, while catching up about our days. I also really enjoyed the drama department, volunteering for all of the school plays and having Lamda lessons every week. Drama at St Mary’s Calne really encouraged my creativity, and instilled in me confidence and communication skills.”

CAT: “Looking back, I have very fond memories of my time at school – even if I went a different route than what was expected of me. It just goes to show that you should always follow your passion. I was always creative, spending countless hours in the art department, and I had a love for writing and English literature, too. We were lucky to travel the world on school trips, with my favourite being a trip to Iceland to see the glaciers we were studying in real life. However, best of all, I had my sister. It felt like I always had a piece of home with me.”

ALEXANDRA HAYDON, HEADTEACHER AT FRANCIS HOLLAND, SLOANE SQUARE

“I really loved school and my memories are very happy. I was always academic but never felt I had any particular co-curricular talent. I was, however, always willing and keen to participate. I was lucky that my school recognised and rewarded this – I was even given house colours for regular spectating! This is something I’ve taken into my role as head of Francis Holland, Sloane Square. We really encourage participation in every possible aspect of FHS life as the consequent sense of belonging, community and connection is invaluable for pupils’ wellbeing. I had many teachers who inspired me; always the ones who were relatable and passionate about their subject and took it beyond the curriculum. They encouraged me to become a voracious reader and develop intellectual curiosity by reading around subjects – something we fervently encourage at FHS. My time at school has been integral to who I am today. I learned that you don’t need to be the best at something to be a leader; you just need to be passionate and interested. Interested people are interesting. In fact, everybody is interesting. If you can’t find what’s interesting about them, that’s on you, not them. I also learned the importance of good manners and asking questions. I discovered that honesty is always the best policy and it is best to own up quickly if you get something wrong. The importance of really valuing my friendships was something else I learned – and something we are hugely passionate about at Francis Holland. I also learned that everybody has their own unique strengths and we can all learn from each other in different ways.”

IN THE ARCHIVES…

In the August/September issue of Belgravia magazine in 2004, we spoke to Philip Pullman about his school days in Belgravia. The award-winning author is best known for his fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials, read by schoolchildren worldwide. He attended Eaton House on Eaton Square as a boy and he reflected on one of the hymns he used to sing aged nine – O Worship the King “I remember singing and enjoying hymns, it was like poetry that we used to sing. It made a good impression,” he said.

Pullman told Belgravia magazine about his experiences of school between the years of 1956 and 1958. “The school was very nice, It was small then – I suppose it still is. It wasn’t hard to mix in and make friends. I was used to it. I moved schools about every 18 months so I was an old hand.”

Pullman’s father and stepfather were in the RAF – they moved from Australia to Battersea in 1956. “I went to school on the bus, I think it was the 137 to Sloane Square. I remember walking along Prince of Wales Drive. We went past the Battersea Power Station and it was all working then. I had a friend called Harris – none of us had first names then, just surnames. Prep schools in those days could get away with a certain unconventionality in their staff.”

SAM MCKNIGHT’S STARRY CELEBRATIONS

Big names from the world of fashion and beauty gathered at La Môme London, the sleek Mediterranean restaurant at The Berkeley hotel, to raise a glass to legendary hair stylist Sam McKnight. The star-studded guests included Tom Ford, Kate Moss, Stella McCartney and Kristin Scott Thomas as McKnight, who has styled the likes of Naomi Campbell and the late Princess Diana during the course of his career, marked 50 years in the industry and his milestone 70th birthday in style.

YASMIN MILLS AND MARY GREENWELL

STAVROS AGAPIOU AND DJ FAT TONY

KATE MOSS AND SAM MCKNIGHT

KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS

STEPHEN JONES

PAM HOGG, AJ ODUDU, SAM MCKNIGHT AND ALICE DELLAL

STELLA MCCARTNEY, SAM MCKNIGHT AND TOM FORD

ANTOINE LECORCHÉ, SAM MCKNIGHT AND RICHIE NOTAR

VAL GARLAND AND LUCINDA CHAMBERS

ROSE FERGUSON AND MARY MCCARTNEY

KYLE DE’VOLLE

JENY HOWORTH AND GEORGIA HOWORTH

DAVINA MCCALL AND JASMINE GUINNESS

CAMERON MACKINTOSH

HYDE PARK GARDEN SUMMER PARTY

The Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in Knightsbridge marked the reopening of Hyde Park Garden, its al fresco dining terrace, with a rosé-fuelled summer party. Guests enjoyed rosé from Château d’Esclans – the vineyard behind Whispering Angel and Garrus – and light bites from the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

CARING ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

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And if you are a local business or resident and feel that our magazine could have benefitted from a story about your brand (or neighbour) please do let our editor know

From Oscar de la Renta’s estate in the Dominican Republic to a chic chicken coop in Jersey, Paolo Moschino’s projects are incredibly varied.

“It’s like the Rolls-Royce of chicken coops,” Philip Vergeylen, who runs the business with his partner Paolo, says. “It even has airconditioning!”

“It’s not always these huge jobs we take on,” Paolo adds. “Sometimes we accept very small jobs if we like the client. The most important thing is to get along with a client. We love meeting new people and it’s what makes the job exciting.”

In Belgravia, the company’s store windows span the extraordinary to the quirky, with sumptuous fabric and furniture ensuring they are always show-stopping.

It has three London showrooms, two of which are in Belgravia. Holbein Place is the flagship and home to the fabric collection and studio, while Ebury Street is a showroom and shop where you can buy luxury furnishings, accessories and exclusive partner products such as Buccellati fine silver and Dr Vranjes home fragrances.

The design duo, partners in life and business, have hundreds of projects and clients around the globe and have designed for rock stars and royalty.

“We’ve been extremely lucky that a lot of our clients have become close friends,” Philip says. “It’s one of the most rewarding and touching aspects of the job.”

Established in 1995, the company is known for its exceptional eye for detail and “classic-with-a-twist” style. “I started here in 1993,” Paolo says (he previously worked in partnership with his friend Nicky Haslam). “In 1995 I bought the company and established Paolo Moschino Ltd. We’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this year but we’re still very young! It’s been busy since the beginning and we’re getting busier and busier, which is great. Naturally, the company has hugely expanded since then. At the beginning we were just a shop with a few residential projects. Now we have three showrooms in London and a lot of hospitality projects, as well as residential projects.”

If you have ever been to a Rocco Forte hotel, the chances are Paolo and Philip have had a hand in it. They have collaborated with the hotel brand on several projects, including the restoration of Villa Igiea in Sicily

The A-list touch

Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen discuss how their business – and Belgravia – have evolved in the past 30 years

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

and the design of Rocco Forte House in Milan. They also designed the interiors of the Hotel de Russie and Hotel de la Ville in Rome. Despite three showrooms in London, 80 per cent of the company’s business is outside the UK.

Belgian-born Philip is head of the design studio, but he hails from a completely different background, having worked as the head of global marketing for American Express for 17 years.

“Before joining Paolo, I had only worked for one company,” Philip says. “I loved every minute of it and I lived everywhere: New York, Washington, Europe. Finally I ended up in London because I was head of the Global Marketing Council. I was jumping from one plane to the next and eventually I decided to leave American Express because I’d been working non-stop for 17 years and thought I deserved a break. So for a month I did nothing, and it was just not working for me. I was going mad. After four weeks I thought: ‘That’s it! I can’t do this any more!’”

As luck would have it there was a project in Paris that Italian-born Paolo was working on, with only one design assistant at the time.

“ We’ve been extremely lucky that a lot of our clients have become close friends. It’s one of the most rewarding and touching aspects of the job

”

“Luckily for me, nobody spoke French and I’m fluent in French,” Philip says.

“So I thought: ‘I’ll take that!’ So that was my first project. I was very lucky, because it was a wonderful house in Saint Germain with fantastic views over the roofs of Paris. I finished the project in about 18 months and fell in love with the entire process. So I started with one design assistant and now I have 17 architects working in my team. So we’ve grown, and the whole company has transformed very much in the last 15 years.”

The area has been through its own metamorphosis too. “Pimlico [Road] used to have a very villagey feel,” says Philip. “There was a Travis Perkins building materials store, a convenience store, a chemist, a vegetable shop... we had a whole mixture of things. Now it’s clearly the design district of London.”

“The difference is this is not a design district, it’s a design destination,” Paolo adds. “We have a design district in London, which is Chelsea Harbour, but Pimlico Road is a destination. There is still a bit of a village feel because you go from shop to shop. It’s not an arcade or a mall, which is great. And every shop is completely different – although we’re all in the same business, every one of us is unique. We’re very happy here.”

Paolo says the secret to their 30-year longevity is “not following trends. To be who we are. When Philip and I go out shopping – let’s say when we go to Paris to do our antique shopping – we always look at things and ask ourselves: ‘Would we have it in our own house?’ And if we say yes, we buy it. If we wouldn’t have it at home, we don’t. So all the pieces we have in the shops and the fabrics we design, we would like it for ourselves.”

“For me, it’s about passion,” Philip adds. “I’m not a trained architect, I’m a business management engineer, so it’s a completely different background. But I am a voracious reader. I’ll read every book. And I must admit, I think the second ingredient that I bring to the table is my ambition. I’m always looking for new challenges, to discover new things and I want to create constantly.”

Our annual community awards honour people and businesses who make the area special – and this year will be our biggest event yet

WORDS: ADRIAN DAY

They say 13 is an unlucky number, but we’re feeling far from unlucky as we embark on our 13th year of community awards.

One constant during this time has been local landowner, Grosvenor’s, desire to support the community and once again it has stepped forward as our headline sponsor.

Jane Macdiarmid, Belgravia retail director at Grosvenor said: “These awards are a chance to recognise the everyday acts of kindness, courage and connection that make Belgravia & Knightsbridge truly special, from dedicated neighbours to inspiring community groups and local businesses. Grosvenor is proud to support these awards that celebrate the unsung local heroes that bring us all together.”

Over the life of the awards we have evolved the content to expand their scope. The first ones we organised contained three categories – now we have 10 – and we have also retired some

categories and added others over the years to keep the awards relevant and better reflect the current landscape. This year we welcome Knightsbridge into our fold.

It is easy to make light of the value of community, but we all know that to feel a true sense of belonging, the knowledge that there are hugely engaged businesses and individuals in the area improves our quality of life.

Of course we will be shining a spotlight on those we consider worthy of consideration for awards but, as ever, we appeal to the local community – that’s you, dear readers – to help us find out about good works and sterling service by businesses or people that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Never slow to get involved with a positive local initiative, The Lanesborough is this year sponsoring the Local Hero award, which appropriately was won by Victor Radojevic, its doorman, at the awards last January. But take a look at some heroes from previous

years: Errol Douglas, Reverend Canon Alan Gyle (from St Paul’s Knightsbridge), Lata Patel from Walden Chymist on Elizabeth Street and a couple of local bobbies.

So who might be nominated for the 2026 awards? Well, there’s Lee Fisher, a local postman who has been described as a “sunny, cheerful and super-helpful member of the Belgravia community for many years”. Or what about Monica Lucas, who through great skill and determination got the Belgravia Neighbourhood Forum over the line last year? Elsewhere, resident Laura Romanin seems to be making a stir with her focus on wellbeing, mindfulness and unlocking the potential of young women.

Stuart Geddes, managing director of The Lanesborough, said: “The Lanesborough and The Lanesborough Club & Spa are delighted to sponsor the Local Hero award at the prestigious Belgravia Awards.

“The hotel and our members’ club and spa are at the heart of the loyal Belgravia community, and this is a happy occasion we look forward to every year, to be able to commemorate the interesting

“These awards are a chance to recognise the everyday acts of kindness, courage and connection that make Belgravia & Knightsbridge truly special, from dedicated neighbours to inspiring community groups and local businesses. Grosvenor is proud to support these awards that celebrate the unsung local heroes that bring us all together

Jane Macdiarmid, Grosvenor’s Belgravia retail director

characters, inspirational businesses and the buzzing streets that make up this unique neighbourhood that we hold so dear. It is a chance to reconnect creatively with our friends, neighbours, colleagues and peers and a privilege to support.”

COMO The Halkin has chosen to sponsor the Bright Young Thing category, which has also been won in the past by one of the hotel’s own bright-eyed and bushy-tailed employees – so it knows the value of what it is supporting.

“This is a happy occasion we look forward to every year, to be able to commemorate the interesting characters, inspirational businesses and the buzzing streets that make up this unique neighbourhood that we hold so dear

Stuart Geddes, managing director, The Lanesborough

Yolanda Douglas has been nominated for the past two years. Despite having not yet celebrated her 30th birthday, she helps her father Errol with his GMTV slot, is an expert at all aspects of hairdressing and colouring and even finds time to work with a charity that creates wigs for people with cancer.

At Your Service couldn’t find a better supporter than The Rubens at the Palace, given the warm welcome you receive there. This category has recognised The Grenadier pub, Mauro Sanna, Simon Mantle and Dennis Myrie, another local postman, among many others and points to one of the most heartening things about curating these awards – they constantly renew and refocus attention on good things and the good people that make the good things happen.

It’s not just people who work for businesses who are appreciated. Take Helen Cannell and Philip Nathan. They set up a WhatsApp group for notifying neighbours in one small enclave of the local area about matters of interest to them. Members of the group have let us know that they appreciate those efforts a great deal.

Malcolm Hendry, managing director of The Rubens at the Palace, A Red Carnation Hotel, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the Belgravia & Knightsbridge Awards, and it’s an honour to support the At Your Service category – a true celebration of the individuals and teams who go the extra mile to make the hospitality industry such a special one to be part of.

“At The Rubens, we believe wholeheartedly in the power and importance of community. Being nestled in the heart of this historic neighbourhood – just steps from Buckingham Palace, opposite the Royal Mews – is a privilege we never take for granted. Belgravia’s charm, elegance and rich history are matched only by the warmth and spirit of its people, and we’re proud to be an active part of that.

“Our hotel has always aimed to be more than just a place to stay – we strive to be a vibrant hub for the community. Whether it’s live music and great cocktails in our New York Bar, the timeless tradition of afternoon tea in our Palace Lounge, fine-dining in our English Grill or more relaxed Curry Room, intimate private celebrations in our Leopard Room, or larger gatherings at BBar, our bar and restaurant located just next door, we have welcomed locals and visitors alike with open arms for nearly 30 years.

“Supporting the Belgravia & Knightsbridge Awards is our way of recognising those who bring heart, energy and excellence to the neighbourhood every day. It’s a joy to celebrate them – and we look forward to many more shared moments in this incredible part of London.”

The awards event will once again take place in The Peninsula hotel’s stunning ballroom, with some very exciting things planned and our biggest guestlist ever.

Nominations are now open, so whether you are a resident or someone who is an equally important member of our working community – whether that is in Belgravia or Knightsbridge –

“Supporting the Belgravia & Knightsbridge Awards is our way of recognising those who bring heart, energy and excellence to the neighbourhood every day. It’s a joy to celebrate them

OUR HEADLINE SPONSOR

OUR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

Malcolm Hendry managing director, The Rubens at the Palace, A Red Carnation Hotel

No limits

ULYSSIA is a 320-metre, state-of-the-art residential superyacht that will continually circumnavigate the globe, with 132 luxury residences and 22 guest suites. CEO Alain Gruber discusses creating a community at sea

What is the concept of ULYSSIA?

Travelling the world from the comfort of your home. Every day, you go out and you explore these magnificent destinations all over the globe, but you come home to familiarity, to people who know who you are, who know what your needs are and how to take care of all your preferences.

There are three aspects that bring our concept to life. First, we are creating an amazing community of residents. These individuals are well-travelled, highly educated and open-minded, seeking a deeper level of exploration. Second, we are investing heavily in our crew. This will be the first vessel ever built that will have single accommodation for all crew, from dish washer to captain. The third component is our exceptional programming of experiences around the world. For instance, when we visit Japan, we don’t just stay for a day – we stay for a month.

What are the residence options?

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

kitchens, uninterrupted sea views and private terraces. There are breathtaking penthouses, family duplexes – something to suit every need. Owners can collaborate with some of the world’s leading interior designers to furnish their residences.

What systems are on board to ensure the security and safety of residents?

ULYSSIA will have a very robust safety and security system based on multiple layers of visible and invisible services. We are partnered with MarineGuard, the world leader in protecting ultra-high-net-worth families in the marine and yachting industries. We will be able to detect and deal with any threats from the air, on t he water and underwater. Our security team will also comprise several professionals who have Special Forces backgrounds.

Tell us about the key destinations and experiences?

Residences range from 110 square metres to 953 square metres and are available in one- to six-bedroom configurations, with elegant reception rooms, open-plan fully fitted

Our itinerary will be shaped around adventure and discovery and the very essence of ULYSSIA , which is to live without boundaries. From the icebound wonders of the Arctic to the vibrant colours and sounds of Rio de Janeiro, ULYSSIA and her community will explore the most spectacular corners of the world.

What is the timeline in terms of construction and when will ULYSSIA set sail?

This year marks a milestone as ULYSSIA’s build process is due to start later in 2025. To carry out the build and construction of ULYSSIA , we’ve enlisted Meyer Yachts, the yachting division of historic shipyard Meyer Werft. The build process will commence in Papenburg, Germany, where Meyer Yachts is headquartered.

Completion of the project is due in 2029 and ULYSSIA will set sail on her maiden voyage from Monaco.

Follow the Salt Path or join a moving murder mystery; a summer staycation has never looked so good

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

Best of British

ALL ABOARD

Immerse yourself in a 1930s murder mystery on board Belmond’s British Pullman train this summer. Those joining A Moving Murder Mystery will board at Victoria station, with the luxurious art deco carriages providing the stage for an immersive theatrical experience. The plotline unfolds on the round-trip journey through the picturesque Kent countryside as you enjoy a five-course lunch with accompanying wines. From £485 per passenger.

Departs August 8 and 16 and September 6 and 26.

COUNTRY ESCAPE

Set within a 14-acre privately owned estate, Temple Guiting Manor in the Cotswolds is an expansive underthe-radar retreat with extensive facilities. Sleeping up to 36 adults and children across five properties, it has a private lake (perfect for swimming or water sports), a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts, fitness centre, woodland playground and even a cinema. Part of the Collins Collection (which also includes Henry’s Townhouse in Marylebone and Villa Il Santo in Tuscany), it’s also a licensed wedding venue.

WORTH ITS SALT

Follow in the footsteps of Raynor Winn in one of this summer’s biggest cinematic releases, The Salt Path. The film adaptation, which stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, is based on Winn’s memoir, detailing her decision to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path with her husband in the face of homelessness and terminal illness. The Priory in Wareham, part of Pride of Britain (PoB) hotels, is set amid four acres of gardens beside the River Frome in Dorset and is ideally located for guests to walk the same path and experience a stunning stretch of Dorset coastline.

CHECK MATE

Burberry has partnered with The Newt in Somerset – the award-winning luxury estate that includes a 2,000-acre working farm, spa and luxury hotel – to celebrate their shared love for the countryside and the Great British summer. The design codes of both brands are woven through bespoke guest experiences this summer. Golf buggies are available to tour the gardens, where the iconic Burberry check is mown into the croquet lawn, and guests can also explore the estate from a Burberry check hot-air balloon. The estate is home to 42 rooms, ancient woodlands, apple orchards and a cider cellar. The Burberry takeover runs until August 18.

The

If walls could talk

house where John Profumo met Christine Keeler, sparking an affair and a major political scandal, is today a seductive place

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

In Fleet Street jargon, it’s the type of story you refer to as an FMD – when a husband is reading the paper at the breakfast table, suddenly turns to his wife and exclaims: “F*** me Doris! Have you seen this?”

The Profumo affair was one such story. The infamous scandal, played out at Grade I-listed Cliveden House during the sultry summer of 1961, rocked the establishment and nearly caused poor old Doris to choke on her kippers.

For all its magnificent and majestic history –built for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, the original Cliveden dates back to 1666 – it was a chance encounter here in the Swinging Sixties that has remained its most seductive titbit.

At a party hosted by then owner Lord Astor, guests gathered around the outdoor swimming pool – now the listed centrepiece of the hotel’s spa – and 19-year-old showgirl Christine Keeler met secretary of state for war John Profumo for the first time. Their affair, during the Cold War, emerged two years later when it was revealed she was also in a relationship with Soviet naval attaché Yevgeny Ivanov. A special Profumo cocktail, available in the bar, remains a fruity number.

While Cliveden still leans into its deliciously colourful history – illustrious guests have included

to stay

every British monarch since George I and Meghan Markle spent the night here before her wedding –it hasn’t rested on its gilded laurels.

The spa opening in 2017 marked the completion of a multimillion-pound renovation – facilities include an indoor pool, hot tubs, sauna, fitness studio and gym – while the annual literary festival, launched the same year, attracts a stellar line-up (it returns this October).

Cliveden is run by Iconic Luxury Hotels but is owned by the National Trust, with 376 acres of gardens and woodlands to stroll that offer spectacular views of the Berkshire countryside. Vintage boats are available to hire from a Victorian boathouse so you can enjoy a champagne-fuelled afternoon on the Thames; keep an eye out for Spring Cottage, the summer house where Keeler stayed with her osteopath friend Stephen Ward. In the main Italianate mansion there are 47 ornate rooms and suites and the Dining Room restaurant, where breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner are served. The food is exceptional stick-toyour-ribs fare plated with a delicate touch – think handmade morel and beef agnolotti, lamb cannon with sweetbread and wild garlic and an indulgent British cheese trolley that is impossible to resist. At Cliveden, it seems, most things are.

Star appeal

Two homes with a colourful history go on sale

WORDS: JONATHAN WHILEY

ASPINALL’S PARTY PAD

The one-time family home of casino tycoon and zoo owner John Aspinall, where he partied with the likes of Lord Lucan and James Goldsmith, is on sale for £23.5 million. The five-bedroom Belgravia mansion on Lyall Street was bought by Aspinall in the early 1960s so he could have a home close to his new casino and private members’ club, the Clermont Club, in Mayfair’s Berkeley Square. Originally built in 1838-39 by master builder Thomas Cubitt, the Grade II-listed property has been the subject of an extensive renovation and modernisation and is on sale via Beauchamp Estates. It includes a rooftop terrace garden with a cocktail bar,

ON POINTE

A Knightsbridge megamansion that was the former home of iconic English ballerina Margot Fonteyn is on sale for a cool £58 million. Art deco Fonteyn House, listed for sale with Caudwell, is a turn-key residence with six bedroom suites, three reception/family rooms, a cinema, a health spa and gym and a 15-metre swimming pool across 15,980 sq ft. On the second floor the principal guest suite was originally Fonteyn’s dance studio, where she practised ballet with Rudolf Nureyev. Fonteyn moved into the house on Thurloe Place with her husband in 1955 and during the 1950s and 60s guests included Princess Margaret, John Wayne, Peter Sellers and Yves Saint Laurent. Interiors are by Miami-London based Nicola Fontanella of Argent Design, whose clients have included A-listers such as Madonna.

a lower-ground patio garden, a home cinema, a gym and a spa room, with floors connected by a passenger lift.

When Aspinall entertained his guests they were hosted in the ground-floor dining room and played cards and partied in the grand first-floor drawing room. After Aspinall’s death in 2000, it became the family home of Charles Delevingne and his wife Pandora; it was here where the Delevingnes’ three children – Chloe, Poppy and model and actor Cara – were born and lived during their teenage years.

My medical studies are going really well.

Kai, aged 19, medical student

I live in fear of my own scan results.

Kai, aged 19, cancer survivor

The impacts of cancer are not always visible. Depression. Anxiety. Scanxiety. PTSD. Panic Attacks. Loneliness.

75% of teenagers and young adults will experience a serious mental health problem following a cancer diagnosis.

With Teens Unite Fighting Cancer, young people aged 13-24 can live life to the full, without cancer taking control.

We can’t make a difference without your support. Please donate.

www.teensunite.org

Charity Number: 1118361

Kickstarting Knightsbridge

Property owners have joined forces to revive Knightsbridge’s reputation, with a bold vision for the future

WORDS: ADRIAN DAY

Knightsbridge. The name alone conjures images of designer boutiques, grand hotels and a timeless London elegance. It’s one of the capital’s best-known districts, attracting more than 40 million visitors a year. But over time, that glossy surface has lost a little of its shine.

The removal of tax-free shopping in 2020, a drop in overseas tourism and rising competition from newer, more polished luxury destinations have made it harder for Knightsbridge to stand out. As Steve Medway, CEO of the Knightsbridge Partnership, puts it: “It’s meant to be one of the most luxurious destinations in the world. The reality is, if you come out of Hyde Park Corner tube station – or any of the stations – it’s a mess. And it’s only getting worse.”

This sense of decline spurred the creation of a bold new initiative: a Property Owner Business Improvement District (BID). It’s a way for local property owners to come together, fund meaningful improvements and help secure Knightsbridge’s future as a world-class destination.

“We needed to be bolder than just managing the day-to-day,” Steve explains. “That’s why we’ve got this project.”

The BID was overwhelmingly backed – 99 per cent of eligible owners voted in favour, the highest support ever recorded for such a scheme in the UK. That’s more than a vote of confidence; it’s a mandate for transformation. So, what exactly does that transformation look like?

BIG PLANS AND LONG-TERM THINKING

The BID is designed with longevity in mind. While retailers often focus on short-term footfall and dayto-day operations, property owners have a longer view. “They’re there for the long term,” says Steve. “They think about values and about how we can improve Knightsbridge for many years.”

The headline initiative is the Knightsbridge Place and Public Realm Strategy – a £100 million vision to upgrade and reimagine the district. That includes not only major streets such as Brompton Road and

streetscape is a big part of the plan. That includes widening footpaths, planting more greenery and creating safer, simpler pedestrian crossings. But Steve knows the word “traffic” can make Londoners – and cabbies – brace for the worst.

He’s quick to explain that the team is working with traffic consultants to ensure the redesign helps, not hinders, vehicle flow. “We’ve identified that, over time, vehicles have been given priority,” he says. “The roads were never designed properly. Pedestrians have suffered.”

“ We’re creating a district that’s more welcoming, more beautiful and better for everyone who lives, visits or works here ”

Knightsbridge itself but also 17 side-street projects aimed at beautifying and modernising every corner of the area.

Steve says: “We’re creating a district that’s more welcoming, more beautiful and better for everyone who lives, visits or works here.”

COMPETING ON A GLOBAL STAGE

Luxury destinations around the world are upping their game, and Knightsbridge can’t afford to stand still.

“Thirty-five per cent of our visitors are from the Middle East,” says Steve. “They’re shopping in beautifully designed new boulevards and centres. When they come here, we need to compete with that.”

It’s no longer just about the shops themselves. Today’s high-end visitors and investors expect clean, green, pedestrianfriendly spaces. Sustainability, accessibility and aesthetics matter – and Knightsbridge is playing catch-up.

GREENER STREETS, SMOOTHER JOURNEYS

Improving the

WHAT WILL THE PROPERTY OWNER BID DO FOR KNIGHTSBRIDGE?

FOR BUSINESSES

One solution? Reduce the width of the carriageway on Brompton Road from 18 metres to 10, freeing up space for footpaths and planting – without increasing congestion.

“Our consultants have figured out how to fix the Knightsbridge/Sloane Street junction,” Steve says. “That means we can get more cars through it at any one time.”

They’re also planning taxi bays that sit outside the main carriageway, keeping traffic moving while making it easier for visitors to hop in and out of cabs. Straight-across crossings (instead of staggered ones) will speed up pedestrian movement and give vehicles more green-light time. It’s thoughtful design – not just for aesthetics, but for function.

FUTURE-PROOFING A LONDON ICON

This is about more than a quick facelift. The BID’s aims are rooted in sustainability and longevity. Whether it’s cutting emissions from buildings or introducing more biodiversity, the goal is to ensure Knightsbridge thrives in a fastchanging world.

“Brands and high-net-worth individuals are more discerning,” Steve says. “They want quality public space, strong sustainability credentials and exceptional experiences. Knightsbridge has to offer all of that.”

With the BID in place and work under way, the area is poised to reclaim its reputation – not just as a luxury destination, but as a great London neighbourhood that balances business, beauty and community.

• More foot traffic through better streets and smart promotions

• A stronger local economy and better trading conditions FOR RESIDENTS

• Cleaner, greener, safer streets

• A stronger sense of place and community pride FOR VISITORS

• A more welcoming, walkable and enjoyable destination

• Easier navigation, better signage and attractive public spaces FOR PROPERTY OWNERS

• Increased property values and tenant demand

• Lower vacancies and a better return on investment

• A real voice in shaping the area’s future

HIGH POWERED

Promising instant results that only get better with time, the Power facial is the Libi Roos Skincare Clinic’s most popular facial. With more than 20 years of experience in skincare, Libi knows all there is to know about clean aesthetics. More than just a simple facial, this is a bespoke two-hour medical treatment that works on truly transforming the skin by using a combination of laser, tailored peels, targeted serums, LED light therapy and more, finished off with Libi’s signature sculpting massage.

£350, 12 Eccleston Street

Go online and you will most definitely come across the term “clean girl aesthetic” on social media and in beauty think-pieces. The concept is a more conscious approach to beauty that is all about getting that effortless, natural look – think fresh, dewy skin, lip balm over lipstick, clean, short nails and slicked-back hair. But minimalist doesn’t equal minimal work. It takes a bit of effort to look effortless. With a rise of people dissolving their fillers in exchange for embracing their natural features and others ditching Botox to prioritise skincare, there’s been a growing demand for treatments that focus on enhancing natural beauty through minimal, non-invasive procedures. We’ve gathered some of the latest and greatest clean aesthetic treatments in Belgravia and Knightsbridge

WORDS: BIBI COOPER

Natural beauty

ALL IN ONE

Ricari Studios has brought its hands-on technique and technology ethos to The Peninsula London Spa & Wellness Centre. Treatments are noninvasive but highly effective and target everything from aesthetic desires to cellular rejuvenation to vitality. Relaxing and transformative, the Ricari signature treatment is a high performance combination of draining, firming and remodelling massage that deeply conditions skin and tissue and activates total body and face restoration. Combining sculpting massage with laser and infrared therapy, it sculpts, recovers, boosts circulation and calms the nervous system. We love a multitasker. One hour £420, two hours £680, 1 Grosvenor Place

Experience the Future of Personalised Care

With a century-long legacy of breakthrough medical advancements, care has always come first at Cleveland Clinic. From GPs who can see you the very same day to life-changing surgical care and treatments, we strive to make sure your experience as a patient is as exceptional as your outcome. Discover Cleveland Clinic in London.

STAY COOL

Much loved by the likes of the Kardashians, non-invasive cool laser resurfacing targets everything from fine lines and pigmentation to age spots and acne, with no needles. With its long-lasting, collagen-boosting effects (and a quicker downtime compared with other skin lasers), it can even tighten skin around the jawline or plump lips without the use of fillers. At the Beyond MediSpa clinic in Harvey Nichols, you can get that Hollywoodperfect smooth and radiant complexion during your lunch break with the Lunch Time Lift treatment.

£263, 109-125 Knightsbridge

GAME CHANGER

Renowned for her non-invasive and non-surgical treatments, the award-winning aesthetics doctor Galyna Selezneva is changing the game at The Lanesborough Spa, where she now offers a number of her popular treatments as well as a Biohacking Bar. When your skin needs a little tightening – and those pesky fine lines need some smoothing over – look no further than the skin-tightening treatment everyone is talking about: Sofwave. Using a device that emits ultrasound energy, it creates a thermal effect that stimulates your own body’s collagen production, reducing fine lines and wrinkles as well as lifting the eyebrows, neck and chin. It’s a virtual facelift without the needles and insanely long recovery time.

£4,600, 2 Lanesborough Place

ACCOUNTANTS

Enpeyz Chartered Accountants

Local accountants offering professional services at very competitive prices. Email info@enpeyz. com to book your free consultation. 158 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 020 7259 9645

ART/CULTURE

Art Fancier

Privately guided bespoke art tours of the Wallace Collection, the Courtauld and the Royal Academy of Arts. artfancier66@gmail.com 07939 489 220

ESTATE AGENTS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANTS

Elevation 88 LLP

Independent Prime & Super Prime residential search agents for the UK and UAE London Property Management www.elevation88uae.com www.elevation88.com 08442 88 88 88

Quintessentially Estates

An award winning, global, lifestyle real estate company, boasting a team of London and international specialists.

quintessentiallyestates.com

51 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED 020 7201 0700

Savills

International network of more than 600 offices and associates throughout the Americas, the UK, continental Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East, offering a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services to clients all over the world.

Savills Sloane Street first opened in 1984 and has become synonymous with selling some of the finest properties in central London. It is also home to the London private office team, who have a vast experience and knowledge to help ultra-high net worth private clients and their advisors, family offices and wealth advisors, navigate the London property market. Over 100 offices in the UK, 35,000 staff. 139 Sloane Street, SW1 020 7730 0822

HOME MAINTENANCE

Quintessentially Home

Award winning specialists in home and vacant property management in central London, since 2007. quintessentiallyhome.com

51 Kinnerton Street, SW1X 8ED 020 7201 0700

Focus SB

Finely finished premium electrical accessories manufactured in the UK including switches, sockets, lighting controls keypad faceplates. www.focus-sb.co.uk sales@focus-sb.co.uk 01424 858060

Pro-Cleaning Professional cleaning services for domestic, commercial and short term lets. cleaningpro.lnd@gmail.com www.procleaninglnd.com +44 7925 168762

JEWELLERY

Elizabeth Gage

Internationally renowned British designer, Elizabeth Gage has sculpted the world of jewellery as we know it today and continues to do so with her avant-garde designs and boundless creativity. Elizabeth’s artistry knows no bounds. Every piece is unique and we have a vast collection of pieces to suit a wide range of preferences. We also offer an exquisite commissions service for those who wish to encase their own stones in an Elizabeth Gage design, redesign an existing piece of jewellery, or simply design a piece especially for that someone special. Our boutique is open from Monday to Friday, 10am – 5pm, an appointment is not mandatory.

5 West Halkin Street, SW1X 8JA elizabeth-gage.com 020 7823 0100

LAW

Expatriate Law – Family Lawyers

Expatriate Law is an award winning divorce and family law firm advising international families living in London. Our experienced solicitors provide expert legal advice on high net-worth cross-border or complex divorce and related family law issues. Our expertise covers all areas of family law including pre and post nuptial agreements, separation agreements, child relocation, child arrangements and disputes, asset protection during divorce, same sex divorce, separation claims for unmarried couples, maintenance and asset claims on separation. Confidential and discrete consultations available at our Belgravia office. Contact us for confidential advice. www.expatriatelaw.com melissa@expatriatelaw.com 020 3096 7169

LIFESTYLE

PLS Studio

“Refine your home and personal lifestyle through bespoke interior design, curated styling, and tailored project management for modern living.”

https://www.projectlifestyle.net

Email: michela@projectlifestyle.net 07849 598 960

OFFICES / CO-WORKING SPACE

25 Eccleston Place

Private office and open plan co-working space in Eccleston Yards. All-inclusive memberships, eight private meeting rooms and 24/7 access. 25 Eccleston Place, SW1W 9NF info@25-ep.com

PICTURE FRAMERS

F RAME DESIGNS

Frame Designs

Bespoke picture framing business, established 1985.

Quality and craftsmanship guaranteed. 57 Ebury Street, SW1W 0NZ www.framedesigns.london 020 7730 0533

SECURITY SERVICES

Westminster Security Ltd

London’s leading private security and investigations company, providing security and peace of mind to high-networth individuals and families, CEOs and Executives, royalty, and heads of state with our discreet personal close protection and residential security services.

We provide our services globally for highrisk, high-profile Principals using ex-Military and Police security operatives of the highest calibre with exemplary backgrounds, training, and experience, ensuring your complete safety and confidentiality. Contact us today to discuss your security concerns or requirements.

16 Old Queen Street, Westminster, SW1H 9HP www.westminstersecurity.co.uk 020 7123 4544 or 07554 000 300

Askari Secure Ltd

Askari Secure Residential Security Officers aim to provide a secure environment to an individual or a family whilst in residence. You, your family or your property may require Residential Security for many reasons. A few of these could include a threat to your family, deterring criminal activity, trespassing or protection of privacy. Our Officers are unobtrusive and discreet but effective enough to provide a security screen that is appropriate to the perceived level of threat. Residential Security is not just restricted to your home. It could also be useful within your hotel, private apartment, office, and private yacht or even at hospital.

52 Grosvenor Gardens, SW1W 0AU www.askarisecure.com 020 7764 0708

TAILORING

Alterations & Bespoke Specialists

We are a highly experienced team of tailors specializing in clothing alterations, tailoring, bespoke, garment copy, wedding alterations, suits, leather, embroidery.

44 Moreton St, SW1V 2PB, London info@alterationsandbespoke.com alterationsandbespoke.com 07985 575 350

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LilaConnect

Experience lightning-fast connectivity with LilaConnect Full Fibre. Elevate your digital world with unbeatable speeds & reliability! lilaconnect.co.uk sales@lilaconnect.co.uk 0800 955

Prime Fibre

Transform your online experience with Prime Fibre: Offering premium internet packages from a range of providers. primefibre.london info@primefibre.london

SPORTS COACHING

Boof Sports

The finest private sports coaching in Belgravia and Knightsbridge - coaching all ages and all standards.

Please contact Nick Poulton at Boof Sports on hello@booftennis.co.uk www.boofsports.co.uk 07816 55 88 77

WEALTH MANAGERS

Alex De Silva & Co Wealth Managers

Your local financial and property finance advisors. First Floor, 158 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1 www.alexdesilvaco.com 020 4546 7823

Brompton Private Wealth

Working with a wealth manager can provide the opportunity to add value in a variety of ways:

• Helping to maintain financial security and to pass on wealth to loved ones

• Minimizing administration

• Creating a financial plan that enables access to tax effective income and capital

• Reducing exposure to Inheritance tax

• Providing risk management through genuine diversification in terms of investment management approach

In order to receive a complimentary guide covering, wealth management, retirement planning or Inheritance tax planning, contact us by telephoning: 020 8042 0055 or emailing Edward or Henry edward.thornton@sjpp.co.uk henry.parker@sjpp.co.uk 116 Brompton Road

Restaurant?

Oliveto on Elizabeth Street has seen lots of happy family occasions. We love all the Olivo restaurants.

Shop?

The Bespoke Shop [on Pont Street] has a very special place in my heart –it was our very first shop and I used to work upstairs. It’s very special to be a small part of such milestone moments in our customers’ lives. I also love the children’s shoe shop, Papouelli, on Elizabeth Street – and not just because it’s my sister’s shop! They do beautiful shoes for every day and for school.

Anya Hindmarch

From bag charms resembling biscuit packets to wallets styled like cereal boxes, Anya is the go-to for fun in fashion. The renowned British designer behind the Anya Village on Pont Street shares her favourite spots

Cafe?

The Anya Cafe. It’s the heart of The Village, our parade of six shops on Pont Street. It’s a great spot for breakfast or aperitivo.

Hidden gem?

Cabmen’s shelters – those little green taxi shelters which only cabbies are allowed to use. They were started in 1875 as a way to keep cabbies warm and out of the pub and now there are only 13 left. They are a special part of the London landscape.

Guilty pleasure?

Poilâne, which has the best bread in the world as well as the most amazing croissants – a bit of a guilty secret on my way back from the gym!

Work or workout?

Work – I love what I do.

Way to start the day?

Sourdough toast, a cup of earl grey, scan the newspapers and catch up on emails.

Fondest memory of the area? I once had a sleepover in the bed department of Peter Jones...

Words of wisdom?

Stolen from Oscar Wilde: “Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

Follow @anyahindmarch on Instagram