Tatler UK

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RALPH FIENNESDavid Hare says that walking around Saint Petersburg with Ralph Fiennes is like being with a Bollywood star on the streets of Mumbai, such is the adulation directed at the A-lister. The feeling’s mutual: ‘I’ve always been fascinated by Russia,’ says Ralph. He speaks Russian, but says, ‘I had to really rehearse – it’s a sophisticated dialogue.’ This issue, he writes about directing and starring in The White Crow, his biopic about ballet bad boy Rudolf Nureyev and his dramatic defection to the West.CLARE CONWAYTatler’s Features Editor Clare Conway spoke to banking heiress Hum Fleming about the rare form of epilepsy from which she suffers, which causes her to forget everything beyond the last six months. ‘It’s startling to think that, though we spoke at length and very deeply,…

the hunt is on

The Belvoir Hunt Ball returned to its alma mater, Belvoir Castle, for the first time in 15 years. Future dukes, including Bobby Worcester, drank Rum Runner cocktails beneath Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII and danced to Billy Fraser’s DJ set under the watchful eyes of Charles I. There was tough competition for the most enthusiastic dancer of the night – that is, until a racehorse trainer from North Yorkshire treated guests to a rendition of The Full Monty. He had banned himself from attending for the past 20 years – and as Alice Manners pointed out, now we know why.The Marquess of Granby & Ella RossOtis Ferry & the Duchess of RutlandHarriet Rimmer & Harry JonesPhoebe Grant & the Hon Rory GuinnessTiggy Maconochie & the Duke of RutlandViscountess Grimston &…

dream ticket

The V&A extravaganza Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams is the hottest ticket in town; no wonder chic London came out for its opening – one of those rare occasions when the jewels of the rich are on show along-side the stilettos of the cool fashion set. Claudia Rothermere’s skirts whizzed by Galliano’s couture confections as Muck Flick and Theresa Sackler glided past Yves Saint Laurent’s elegant designs and Maria Grazia Chiuri’s modern romantic creations. Bianca Jagger and Bond girl Olga Kurylenko joined a dinner for 300 in the Raphael Gallery – with cocktails for 800 the night after. David Snowdon revealed that he’d never before seen his mother Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday gown – an exhibition highlight. A divine night proving the New Look never gets old.Nicky Haslam & Lady…

amazing grace

Meanwhile, around the corner from the V&A, Tatler hosted a dinner celebrating the launch of Grace Han’s new boutique on Beauchamp Place. Batia Ofer accessorised with her daughter, Anaïs Gallagher explained to Max Irons how she balances university with being her father’s tour photographer and after arancini canapés, Swans including Hayley Bloomingdale and Alice St Clair-Erskine popped next door to San Lorenzo, a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales, for supper. Not ready for the fun to end, many migrated with James Blunt and Sofia Wellesley to their pub, The Fox & Pheasant, for a night cap.Maria Grazia Chiuri & Suzy MenkesAmber Le BonSydney LimaCount Nikolai von BismarckRenee StewartAnaïs GallagherSerena HoodMimi WadeNatalie LivingstoneMax Irons, Sophie Pera & Grace HanRose Hulse ■…

the status update

Ploughing through Debrett’s Guide to Etiquette and Modern Manners, the socially anxious were once informed, ‘It is vulgar to bite into bread.’ There was a time when every possible social situation and its correct navigation (in this case, tearing one’s bread roll into smaller, more genteel morsels before consuming it) was mapped in this Magna Carta of manners. And long before that, everyone knew the rules, labyrinthine though they were – after all, the lack of financial or social compulsion to work for one’s living left the leisured classes with lots of time to think about these things.But as we venture further into the 21st century, it’s getting more complicated, especially with the prefixing of ‘social’ to ‘media’. Of course, some things always have and always will be rude. It…

the new rules

MESSAGING1 WhatsApp groups are to be avoided when organising a party. There should be some mystery as to who’s coming.2 If you’ve been included in a group, do not leave. It will offend people. (Only the Hon Philippa Cadogan can get away with this.)3 Inter-generational WhatsApping is best avoided – although aristocratic family chats are now de rigueur, the wittiest being the De La Warr/Hopetoun clique.4 Turning off the blue ticks is advisable for those prone to severe social anxiety.DATING1 Lying about your age on Hinge, Bumble, Tinder et al is acceptable for women but never for men.2 You may ask someone what their sign is, but do not draw up their birth chart.3 Profile pictures taken more than three years ago are false advertising.4 The expression ‘slide into your…