Town & Country UK Winter 2019

Welcome to the new edition of Town & Country – which is also my last as editor-in-chief (although I’m glad to say I will continue to play a part as a contributing editor, for this is a magazine I hold very dear). I’m writing with the first issue beside me: from the summer of 2014, and a young Lily James on the cover. At the time, Lily had just come to fame as Lady Rose in Downton Abbey, and when Andrew O’Hagan met her, he described her as ‘the very picture of optimism’; so much so that, in her company, he found ‘it was impossible to be cynical about the value of enchantment’. And enchantment has continued to be at the heart of Town & Country, along with an observation by…

THE LAND GARDENERS Bridget Elworthy and Henrietta Courtauld – long-standing friends with a shared love of horticulture – joined forces in 2012 to establish the Land Gardeners, specialising in cut flowers and garden design. In this issue, Catriona Gray visits Elworthy’s idyllic home in the Oxfordshire countryside to find out about the duo’s blooming business. A festive tradition ‘We love filling the house with paperwhites – just put the bulbs in water during the first week of December and they will flower in time for your celebrations.’ An evocative seasonal scent ‘Daphne odora has the most delicious, sweet aroma. We pick little sprigs of it to put beside the bath.’ THE DUKE OF RICHMOND As the owner of the legendary Goodwood Estate – the setting for Town & Country’s latest cover shoot –…

Yuletide for baby Archie should be a time to indulge in tradition. Fill Royal stockings to the brim with nostalgic gifts – a fuzzy red robin brings the season to life, while Sebra’s knitted polar bear seems to have wheeled itself straight from the North Pole. When you’re tiny, the most exciting presents under the tree are the largest, so a woolly-mammoth rocker from Father Christmas will be sure to delight. After all the excitement, Alex and Alexa’s snuggly knitted romper warrants a cuddle with Great Granny. PHOTOGRAPHS: SPLASHNEWS.COM, GETTY IMAGES, PIXELATE.SEE STOCKISTS FOR DETAILS. COMPILED BY HOLLY GORST…

The three kings can wait: adorn your junior Prince Charming with a more whimsical headpiece, such as Meri Meri’s sparkling antlers, and match them with practical velvet dungarees, perfect for prancing and dancing across the stage. Bob & Blossom’s glittery wand will help young princesses to spread some Christmas magic, while Baby Dior’s divine gold-lace dress will ensure a stellar performance. For proud mothers on the front row, a festive red Emilia Wickstead gown, playfully accessorised with customary touches of green, looks the part. PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK, NI SYNDICATION,GETTY IMAGES, PIXELATE. COMPILED BY TILLY WHEA…

Nothing looks sleeker than head-to-toe tonal dressing for the annual walk to St Mary Magdalene, as the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex well know. Fly the flag in a classic midi-dress by a British icon such as Alexander McQueen, and top it with Miu Miu’s pretty velvet-trimmed coat. When it comes to your accessories, take a style note from Her Majesty with a boxy, top-handle tote – after all, it’s only polite to sing from same hymn sheet as your host. PHOTOGRAPHS: GETTY IMAGES, PIXELATE. SEE STOCKISTS FOR DETAILS.COMPILED BY ROSIE ARKELL-PALMER…

When in rural Norfolk, be inspired by William and Kate, and opt for the best of British attire. Holland & Holland’s pea-green wool breeches and matching blazer provide a sophisticated alternative to classic tweeds, while a pair of weatherproof boots make light work of walking off the morning’s kedgeree. A feathered William & Son hat offers a fashionable flourish, as does a navy satchel from Celine, which doubles as a convenient pouch for a warming flask of whisky. PHOTOGRAPHS: ALPHA PRESS, CAMERA PRESS, WENN.COM, PIXELATE. COMPILED BY GEORGIA MEDLEY…