EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Lady Violet Manners announces plans to marry colourful aristocrat 'Caledonian Cowboy' with Rocky Mountains ring reveal
The Duke and Duchess of Rutland are known for hosting wild parties at their seat, Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire, like last year's 60th birthday bash for the Duchess, Emma, who crowdsurfed over guests.
Now they have something else to celebrate: the engagement of their eldest daughter Lady Violet Manners to colourful Scottish aristocrat William James Lindesay-Bethune, 33.
He posed with Lady Violet showing off a ring on her left hand, with Colorado's Rocky Mountains behind them. 'I said 'yes' to my Caledonian Cowboy,' she wrote online.
Do the parents approve? 'I have met him a couple of times,' the Duke of Rutland tells me. 'We are all over the moon and cannot wait,' writes the Duchess.
William is the son and heir of the 16th Earl of Lindsay, and is based both in Scotland and Texas in the U.S. He is co-founder of a low and no alcohol spirits brand.
Lady Violet Manners will marry colourful Scottish aristocrat William James Lindesay-Bethune, 33
Olympic gold-winning ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are planning a final farewell in sunny Australia next year.
'It will be our last live touring performance ever,' reveals Dean, 65.
'It's 50 years since we started skating together, and we've done so much in our career. We've completed the circle and it's time to call it a day.'
Olympic gold-winning ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are planning a final farewell in sunny Australia next year
The Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, turned down the legend slot at Glastonbury festival this year due to her packed schedule — which seems to be taking a toll.
'I look forward to going to bed,' the 71-year-old singer, who's been touring widely, tells me at the O2 Silver Clef Awards, in aid of music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
Her close friend, soul singer Mica Paris, says she would rather play intimate venues than to Glastonbury-sized crowds.
The Queen of Funk Chaka Khan with her close friend and soul singer Mica Paris
'I'm trying to bring it back to the small venues, like how it was back in the day,' she tells me. 'I've played 20,000-seaters and I'm not feeling it.'
Does Paris, 55, think a Glasto ticket is worth the money?
'No, I don't,' she says. 'You want to be close to the artist. You've spent hundreds on your ticket and you just see a dot!'
She's the Princess of Wales's favourite interior designer, but Kelly Hoppen puts the fear of God into the minions at her own firm.
'The worst client I've ever had is me,' admits Kelly, 64.
Kelly Hoppen attends the Peninsula London grand opening celebrations on June 18, 2024 in London
Whenever she's renovated a home of her own, she says: 'I ask my team, "Who wants to work on it?" and they run like mice in different directions.
'I'm the client from hell.'
Do blondes have more fun? Actress (and ex-girlfriend of musician Mark Ronson) Genevieve Gaunt is finding out playing Marilyn Monroe on stage at North London's Park Theatre.
The natural brunette, 33, has said that thanks to WHAM — that's wig, hair and make-up — she's able to transform into the film star each night in The Marilyn Conspiracy.
Actress Genevieve Gaunt before and after transforming into Marilyn Monroe at North London's Park Theatre
Monroe would strut around in stilettos. But wearing a pair, Gaunt, who is 5ft 8in, would 'tower over the entire cast'. The solution? Kitten heels.
'Once secured, I was able to become Marilyn from the toes upwards,' she writes.
Film Producer Ridley Scott will not tolerate is a time-wasting director
Sir Ridley Scott can handle scenes full of blood and gore, but one thing he will not tolerate is a time-wasting director.
'There's nothing worse in the morning than [the actors] walk in and the director starts to talk about the meaning of life,' says the 86-year-old behind classic films including Alien and Gladiator.
'I do two takes. Think about it, I'm casting a good actor. He's had the script for a month or two and prepared what they're going to do. They want to just get on with it.'
