Quest Magazine Oct 2022

Exhilaration at first sight.

CONTENTS

CHIEF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ART

SOCIETY

CONTRIBUTING

intersection of Church and Queen Streets in Charleston; Queen Elizabeth II laughs with Prince Philip on May 11, 1963; Harry Benson at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh unveiling Harry’s Official Portrait of the Queen; Highclere Castle; Prince Charles and Prince Harry in 1995; As It Turns Out by Alice Sedgwick Wohl.

WITH MUCH written, broadcast and endlessly parsed on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we’ve dedicated Quest’s annual Field & Coun try Issue to the late monarch’s less regal, yet passionate embrace of her relaxed and fabled “country life”. The Queen seemed as comfortably at home with her corgis and chargers as she was with 15 Prime Min isters - a few of whom’s breeding fell far short of her pedigreed four legged pals. That she treated her canines, equines and humans with equal regard and respect was at the core of her indomitable charac ter—a natural stature that often seemed grounded in another era. As to her staunch detachment from the political fray and the meanderings of Parliament, her expression always brightened when she was outdoor at Windsor, or riding one of her beloved steeds at Balmoral. She was never more comfortable than on the back of a horse, whether in a scar let military uniform or wearing her signature head scarf and Barbour jacket. And when one of her prized thoroughbreds won a race at As cot, she was known to become near giddy (for her) with the maternal pride of a beaming broodmare. Though seldom seen in public, her sharp wit was celebrated - a charming brew of British High Tea and Paddington’s marmalade sandwiches. More often, she maintained a dignified silence, allowing events to move around her while she stayed steadfast in place. And yet, her loss has been profound and felt world wide - a void compared by many to losing a grandmother. That she influenced our global conscience and served as our voice of reason is undeniable. And deeply appreciated.

Operating under rigorous deadline pressures, our dedicated Quest staff has worked tirelessly to produce an issue that would be reflective of Queen Elizabeth, her family and their less formal pursuits. Quest’s Editor in Chief, David Patrick Columbia, has penned a tight and candid retrospective of the Royal Family Heads, from 1837 to 2022, reminding us all that the decidedly female Victorian and Elizabethan eras presided over two-thirds (137 years) of that 185 year span! A former subject of the Queen, and Quest’s photographer supreme, Sir Harry Benson, who was knighted personally by Queen Elizabeth II, recalls an assignment in his own legendary run when he photographed the Queen and Prince Philip during their 1958 Royal Caribbean Tour. Further on in this issue, in her always chic and retro Style column, Dep uty Editor Elizabeth Meigher has deftly placed previously unseen and vintage images that capture the personalities of the Windsor family. Elsewhere in this appropriately autumnal Field & Country num

ber, you’ll find a rich photo essay on the typical English Shooting weekend, brilliantly written by Quest contributor Jonathan Young who for two-plus decades masterfully edited The Field, a generations deep British magazine revered by all who embrace the life out-ofdoors. Amongst the famed English shooting estates that we visit with Jonathan is Highclere Castle, better known to most Americans as television’s Downton Abbey (where perhaps the sport of late night “hall crawling” was invented). We also welcome a new voice to Quest’s swelling pages, that of Julia “JJ” Duggan, who knowledge ably weaves our reading path through the backstreets and off-piste venues of old-school Charleston, South Carolina - America’s “Holy City” that’s attracted a host of curious minded professionals who now call this historical community their home. And don’t miss con tributor Alexander Hankin’s review of the revealing new book on Warhol’s most celebrated muse, Edie Sedgwick - poignantly written by her sister Alice Sedgwick; it’s riveting.

With US Congressional elections looming, Quest too moves beyond the realm of field & country. What we American “colonists” might best remember from Elizabeth Regina is the manner in which she lead - without an ounce of political might. Her sovereign power was simply the example she set for all Britons, and indeed for all of us - with an incomparable blend of duty, discipline and dignity. “London Bridge” has fallen, dear readers. Let us glean gumption from her example, before “we meet again”. ◆

ON THE COVER: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at a gun dog field trial, Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, October 1967. Photographed by Getty Images.

David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SOCIAL DIARY

SUMMER IS FINALLY OVER. Not that it didn’t end officially last month, but the summer of 2022 seemed like a long one. Although millions of us remained in town, so many New Yorkers left town back in Spring time and even before. This was motivated originally by

the promotion of a virus on the planet and therefore in America. Its effect has sub stantially lessened, however, although its impact remains in people’s minds. But the Summertime away from the city lifted many from imme diate concerns.

By the middle of last

month, you could see it— many New Yorkers were not only back in town, but getting out and about. The warm sunny weather around Labor Day was inspirational for many.

Back to business. The so cial/business calendar is fill ing up. My personal gauge

is the number of invitations and press releases crossing this desk. We’re now talking public relations. Invitations in our world are a pre-press release. I don’t mean that cynically, but referring to the nature of social life in New York today. Maybe it’s the cell phones but the vibe

is out there. It’s naturally in teresting from our POV.

At the end of the second week of September I went to the first major event of the season: the Couture Coun cil of the Museum at FIT (MFIT for you non-verbals). It was like old times, with lots of women dressed for it and looking great.

Heralding the arrival of New York Fashion Week, the annual fall event bene fits MFIT, New York’s only museum dedicated exclu sively to the art of fashion. The presenting sponsor was Nordstrom. It’s an an nual luncheon. This year it was held on the mezzanine level gallery on the David H.

Koch Theater. Most years it’s been held in what is now the David Geffen concert hall, which is now undergoing renovations. I’ve attended it many times, always the guest of Eleanora Kennedy , and often seated next to Martha Stewart

I’ve always been a fan of Martha. I admire her passion for her work. It is an artist’s dedication and therefore, ultimately an art ist’s life. Yes, she’s a busi nesswoman but it’s the artist that moves her. I watched

her only once when she had that daily TV show years ago. I was in awe not only of her knowledge but of her presentation. It was superior and at the same time down home/just folks.

Off-cam era, off-stage, at the dinner or lunch ta ble, she’s the same person you see on the Tube. Over the past few years I have had an occasional chance to be in her compa ny. Fascinating and compel ling and totally All-Ameri can Girl of this age of ours.

Martha wasn’t there this year. Because….what else? She was working on a shoot or something like that. So I was seated next to my host ess Eleanora and on my left, Sarah Wetenhall who with her husband Andrew Wetenhall own The Colony hotel in Palm Beach.

Sarah is the CEO, and she has streamlined and restored the legendary hotel in every way. It also features what has become the center of Palm Beach daily life, Swifty’s –yes that Swifty’s headed by its original co-founder Rob ert Caravaggi

And baby the place is hopping morning, noon and night, under the stars

right by the pool. It’s a fix ture already; plus you might see anybody in the world, including those passing through, lunching or dining at Swifty’s.

The Museum at FIT now has one of the greatest col lections of fashion and cos tume in New York, under the longtime direction of Dr. Valerie Steele . Every year Valerie greets the guests and gives them a quick rundown of the “awards” luncheon.

Then Dr. Joyce Brown, the president of FIT followed, “We are proud to honor Ma ria Grazia Chiuri , the first female creative director at Dior, with the 2022 Couture Council Award.”

As Maria says, “When you are a woman making clothes for women, fashion is not just about how you look; it is about how you feel and how you think.”

Dr. Brown then intro duced Samira Nasr , the editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar , to introduce the Couture Council’s awardee. Ms. Chiuri is the first wom an creative director of wom en’s haute couture, ready-towear, and accessories collec tions for Dior.

Born in Rome in 1964, she was inspired by her moth er, a dressmaker. She knew early on that she wanted to work in fashion. She studied at the Instituto Europeo di

Design in Rome. She trained in the technical side of fash ion design while exploring the cultural and artistic her itage of the Italian capital. Art history and cinema have always informed her work.

She started her career at Fendi in 1989, for which she designed handbags. In 1999, she was appointed head of accessories at Valentino. In July 2016 she was named creative director of women’s haute couture, ready-towear, and accessories col lections for Dior, becoming the first woman to hold this position at the house.

On the occasion of the Dior fall-winter 2019–2020 haute couture show, she

was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor) by France’s Secretary of State for Gender Equality Marlène Schiappa

Past recipients of the Cou ture Council Award are Wes Gordon (2021), Christian Louboutin (2019), Narciso Rodriguez (2018), Thom Browne (2017), Albert Kriemler of Akris (2016), Manolo Blahnik (2015), Carolina Herrera (2014), Mi chael Kors (2013), Oscar de la Renta (2012), Valentino (2011), Karl La gerfeld (2010), Dries Van

Noten (2009), Isabel To ledo (2008), Alber Elbaz (2007), and Ralph Ruc ci (2006). In 2008, Giorgio Armani received a special award for Global Fashion Leadership.

The city is back. It’s no table because you can see it. For the past four months it’s been dead. Empty. On a Monday night, I had dinner with a friend at Sette Mez zo and it was mobbed. My word for it: crowded. Very Inside. But it wasn’t just the numbers that impressed this observer, but the energy.

The costume. Women dressing. A recent London Daily Mail had an article

about a television/movie/ series about Truman Capote and his favorite social ladies and how he “betrayed” them with a piece he wrote: “Cote Basque 1965” about them in that (social) world.

Published in 1975 in Esquire , it was promot ed as a “chap ter” from his new book in the works, basically a piece of dish about the “characters” lunching this one partic ular day in the restaurant. Cote Basque, which was located across 55th Street

from the St. Regis hotel, and one of the most popu lar (and exclusive) restau rants with a celebrity/social list of clients, including CZ Guest , Babe Paley , Gloria Guinness , Slim Keith , Gloria Vanderbilt , Carol Matthau , Jackie Onassis and her sister Lee Radziwill Capote’s sto ry (fictional) was about the private lives of these women, all disguised with different names, as told by one of the author’s friends. One particular “anecdote”

was about a man – obvious ly based on William Paley who had a very active ex tra-marital sex life.

The story had the Paley character pursuing another prominent social woman, said to be lightly based on one of Averell Harriman ’s wives. The “wife” finally gives in to the man’s taunt for getting her into bed. They meet in the man’s apartment (Paley in real life had an apartment with his wife Babe at the St. Regis, then right across the street from Cote Basque).

The man succeeds in his objective, a kind of bimbam-thank you-ma’am, and

the woman gets out of bed and leaves. The man gets out of bed and discovers that the sheets were bloody from the woman’s menstruating. Shocked and fearful of his wife learning about his tryst, he tries to wash them in the bathtub.

That single incident in the Capote story ended Truman’s relationship with the Paleys (with whom he was considered Babe’s “best friend”). Truman, by that time in his life, was rich and famous, especial ly from his last best-seller In Cold Blood followed by his famous party in 1966 at The Plaza.

He had every success a

writer could imagine, and he always had friends. Al though after the publica tion of the story, not a few of those “friends” dropped him. How he wore it; how it affected him was to put it out of his mind with the booze and the drugs.

Back to the magazine piece. There were other an ecdotal incidents of individuals lunching that day, including a char acter based on Ann Wood ward , the widow of William Woodward whom she “ac cidentally” shot and killed

in a famous incident in the 1950s at their estate on Long Island.

Truman’s fictional version of the incident (recounted in a conversation at table) presented a case where Wil liam Wood ward’s death was not an accident but rather coldblooded murder (she shot him while he was showering).

That same night, Ann Woodward had learned that her husband was going to divorce her and marry a woman he had been having

an affair with. Her guilt was obvious when she called for help, but she was saved by her mother-in-law’s power to protect her—so that the grandchildren would have a mother. When the magazine article came out, Ann Wood ward read it, and killed her self. In real life, the two grandchildren, in separate incidents many years later, when young adults, commit ted suicide.

By the mid-70s, Truman was part of the Studio 54 scene and into the drugs, particularly cocaine. His great success was followed by several years of endless par tying. “Cote Basque 1965” was originally described as a

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chapter of his “next book,” a novel, Answered Prayers which was never finished. His “best friend” Babe Pa ley cut him off, as did many others. Although some re mained friendly.

I met him only once, and only briefly in the late ’70s, in Los Angeles when I was briefly working for Lester Persky , a film producer ( Shampoo ). I had to pick up Truman at LAX and deliver him to the Beverly Regent Hotel. Lester had acquired the film rights to a new short story of Truman’s who had come out to Los Ange les to seal the deal.

He was in bad shape

physically. He’d arrived on a Thursday afternoon, hav ing flown from New Orle ans where he’d been photo graphed for People by Har ry Benson with, as Truman put it, “10 of the most bee-yu-ti-full drag queens.” He was drunk and amused by his description. I got him to his hotel while he continued to amuse me with his stories about New Orle ans. I learned the following Monday morning that Tru man had a lost weekend at his hotel, never having left

the mattress of his bed for two days, surrounded by empty bottles of Stolichnaya and masses of cocaine.

On hearing about it Sun day morning, Lester had Tru man moved up to his house in Bel Air where he convalesced for a few days and then was able to get onto a plane and re turned to New York.

I never saw the man again. He died in August 1984 while staying at the home of his friend Joanne Carson in Beverly Hills. He made a

big impression with many because he was an amusing gossip, as well as a brilliant novelist, albeit sorrowful. There was a great wit so there was humor through out, but sadness was the un derlying foundation of the man. He was frail and del icate in presence but he was tough. It was a tough child hood, basically abandoned by both parents but cared for by women relatives who were kind. And they provid ed the seeds to his creative development. So he was lucky, abandoned as he was, so to speak. But he was gift ed and had been gifted.

A number of years ago PATRICK MCMULLAN

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I interviewed Phyllis Cerf, the wife of Bennett Cerf , a founder of Random House, about another subject when somehow Truman came into the conversation. She told me that back in the mid-1940s she belonged to a reading group, which included John O’Hara , Minnie Astor and several other literary names. When they were going to meet at the Cerfs’ house, Bennett suggested she invite this new writer named Truman Capote. He explained that Truman was very young— in his late teens, but he was very amusing and interest ing.

The day of the group meet

ing, everyone had just been seated when the butler told Mrs. Cerf that there was “a child at the front door who said you’d invited him to a book discussion.” And so he appeared a couple of minutes later. Everyone was surprised be cause in his teens he looked much younger. Howev er, in short time, Truman was a part of the discus sion in the group, and made a deep impression on the room, in cluding John O’Hara.

The little lost orphan boy who became the toast of the town.

The major international story of this past month was the passing of Queen Eliza beth II. I know that seems naïve, and actually is, since I am merely an observer. And all I really know about her role as Queen is what we all see, that which is presented to us—usually lit tle more than her shaking a hand and that gracious smile. When I first saw an ungracious smile (in the press of course), it might have begun with the death of Diana. It was then that she learned (we later

learned) something about the powerful importance of Diana’s death openly ex pressed by the entire world. The Queen’s own relation ship with Diana was, natu rally, much more personal. The Queen, after all, was a mother-in-law, and of an im portant son in her scheme of things.

Whatever it was, I’d come to see her in a different light. Obviously, she’s not an im portant individual in my personal life. But what I was seeing was a woman who ac tually had no real legal polit ical power, and yet present ed a natural image of a wom an with great power. Like a great Mother. This time, for

not only the British people, but also for the world. She was a woman of her time in these great changing times, re-defining the role of the woman in this world of ours.

In my lifetime and in the lifetimes of the generations that came before, the wom an’s role was mainly to stand back. Queen Victoria had power and she exercised it but she didn’t expose herself to the crowds; she didn’t like being out there among the people. Elizabeth was the last Queen of a world power in a world of changing roles. It reminds me of her “work” as a young teenage volunteer in World War II where she learned to be a mechanic and working with the peo ple.

In thinking about her, I’m naturally reminded of the Queen Mother I never met the Queen Mother although I have known a number of people who knew her, in cluding three who actually worked for her in the palace: the footmen. Those whom I met were all then working in private homes in New York and Beverly Hills, having graduated from service for the Royal Family.

The most popular mem ber of the Royal Family who came up in conversa tion was always—with an affectionate humor—The Queen Mother. One of my

favorite anecdotes I learned from a man in the service of friends of mine in Beverly Hills, was how genial and friendly the Queen Mother was with her staff. There was a now off-told inci dent when the Queen Moth er sent one of the footmen to collect the jew els she would be wearing at a dinner that eve ning. When he got off the lift beset in shiny stones and sparkle, and she saw he was wearing them all, the Queen Mum openly feigning dismay said: “Give me those; those are for a real Queen.”

A good laugh was had by all.

She was a woman who liked people and liked the social life of being a Queen. She was from a prominent family, not royal, but as a young woman in the 1920s, she was popular in London Society. In the beginning, she was fond of David, the then Prince of Wales, who became Edward VIII. Like others, she lost out on him to Mrs. Simpson, the Ameri can divorcee.

However, Elizabeth had married David ’s younger brother Bertie , who would replace his older brother and became King George VI on the throne after his brother’s abdication. Their firstborn child born in 1926 was given

her mother’s name.

When George VI died, and his 26-year-old daugh ter was now the Queen, her mother was concerned that she herself would lose the title of being a “real” queen to others. She liked the ti tle, and all that came with it. And she wore it comfort ably. She always had the real power in her sense of self. It was no accident that they created a new title for her, a first: The Queen Mother. Thank you.

Her effect on her daugh ters’ lives was typical where there are sisters and one is bestowed with a “specialness” that can’t be bought or shared with the

other. Toward the end of their lives— Princess Margaret and the Queen Moth er—would sometimes go up to the Queen Mum’s coun try residence at Windsor on weekends, along with sev eral of the boys (footmen). And they’d have a Saturday eve ning of drinks with Margaret playing the pia no surrounded by the footmen from her res idence singing (and drink ing), and a good time was had by all. Real lives among the monarchs.

The Queen Mother Eliz

abeth died in the fiftieth year of her daughter’s reign. In her brilliant biography, The Palace Papers , about the current Royal Family, Tina Brown reports that the Queen Moth er’s thoughts and opinions continued to make an im pression on her daughter, although there was also the accompanying relief for the daughter when she didn’t have to wor ry about what her mother would be thinking. Real lives among monarchs.

The British Royal Fam

ily. When you think of it, they’ve been in the news, both tabloidal and television and internet, almost daily for the past year thanks to their runaway Prince Har ry and his wife Meghan First there was the Oprah interview where the couple vaguely bad-mouthed Har ry’s in-laws in general and “shocked” everybody. The race card was played along with the regular boy meets girl meets family story

I haven’t kept up with their financials although be cause Harry’s family is rich, it’s been reported that he left the family palace with mil lions and millions settled on him (and his new wife), and

Care you can trust, at a moment’s notice.

chose to live an un-Royal life. You get the impression from reading the tabs that Meghan is not popular with her in-laws after her revealing to Oprah and the millions of us watching the in terview, how she felt.

Other writers, other books. Harry and Meghan’s new book. It was sup posed to be published this year but evidently it has been postponed to a later date. I only know about it what you could know if you read the tab loids. The inference is there will be family tales to raise eyebrows and moral judgments. The Post referred to it as “Harry’s bombshell” memoir, which is slated to be published this fall. The Post quoted a “publishing in sider who told Page Six “… It’s juicy, that’s for sure.”

Another “publishing insider” also told Page Six that there are more new

stories about Harry’s life that we’ve never read” and that “there is some content in there that should make his family nervous.”

So? Any family—particularly one with many surviving members—has stories that could make a family ner vous. We just don’t know about them because we’ve never heard of them. But all families have private dramas and often a “bad guy” (or bad girl) as the cause.

I read an article yesterday about the number of illegitimate children pro duced by that brood and their ances tors. The article went into the history, going all the way back generations to Henry VIII . There were dozens but just about everybody—and I mean everybody except the younger gener ation (Harry, Will, etc.), have those “relatives” in their pasts. Most of the

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illegits were disposed of through adoption to make their own way in life without the privileges of their “fore bears.” This is common, and common among the com moners too.

What confounds is the press attitude about Harry’s wife. She’s ambitious by na ture, yes; and she’s married a famous member of the British Royal Family. And now she’s an actress out of work, and living palatially in a multi-million dollar estate just a hop, skip and a jump from Hollywood, her alma mater. Now her only role is on the world stage. Surely she can’t resist.

All of that is personal and all of that is human.

We don’t know what the couple’s relationship is really like any more than we know what most relationships of people we see around are re ally like. What’s obviously going on with them is they both made a very big change in their own per sonal lives by committing to this marriage and parenthood. And they’ve talked about it publicly. Markle obviously has a nose for publicity; she’s an ac tress, after all, and real ac

tresses need to act.

We didn’t know how she was treated as a newcomer, especially by members of the family who are full of them selves as “royal.” Self-impor tance is a given. It’s impos sible to avoid in the presence of the public. The Queen’s public image was quite the opposite but that didn’t mean some of her rela tives were as gen erous. Nobody likes feeling judged and “excluded” from a new family connection, and the Duchess of Sussex is nat urally sensitive about it .

It’s now long forgotten—to the point where it’s not even in people’s knowledge, let alone memory—that the Duchess of Windsor aka “American divorcee Wallis Simpson” was both publicly and pri vately regarded as unworthy of any royal title despite be ing married to the man who gave up the throne to marry her. And, after marrying the Duke/former King, she was denied an HRH before her ti tle. But that was then and this is now. At least there were no children involved as the duch ess was unable to bear. What we do know is that Elizabeth the Queen Mother couldn’t stand her. ◆

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THE PASSING OF Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II marks a milestone in so many lives... such poignant memories for so many of her subjects and even for many around the world. She was truly a monarch of the first order. She will be missed.

The first time I photographed HRH Queen Elizabeth II was in 1958. She had come to Scotland to open Rothes Colliery, a coal mine in Glenrothes, Fife. Her majesty dressed for the occasion in a white miner’s outfit and descended into the newly-opened mine shaft rather than simply remaining at the top to cut the ribbon. She caused a sensation.

In 1966, I photographed the Royal Tour of the Commonwealth countries in the Caribbean, the press having to fly to and from Miami from each island to arrive before the Queen and Prince Philip docked on the Royal Britannia Yacht. It was a royal pain for the press and all the journalists grumbled among one another about “what I would say if I were asked.” It was an intense, whirlwind trip as the Royals, followed by Fleet Streets finest, visited Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, Nevis, the Grenadines, Trinidad, and Tobago. At the end of the tour, the press was invited aboard the Royal Britannia for a glass of Champagne and were asked how they felt about the tour.

I was certain that all the grumbling press would back me up, so I stepped up and explained how it would have been great if we had been allowed to travel aboard the Royal Britannia instead of having to fly to and from Miami each time the yacht sailed. There was total silence from my colleagues not even a nod in agreement.

I felt foolish and was angry about not being backed up.

Later when we were all back in New York, the doorman in my apartment building rang up to say there was a package for me at the front desk. When I asked him to send it up, he said the gentleman insists on delivering it personally. When I went down, an equerry from the British Embassy in Washington hand ed me a package. Inside were red and golden cufflinks with the Queen’s crest… I asked around and no one else received a pair!

I was honored to have been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in 2009, and in 2014, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery commissioned me to take its official portrait of Her Majesty the Queen in Buckingham Palace.

As no one can speak until spoken to, after the Queen said hello, I was trying to think of something to say. The common ground between us was our love of dogs. Somehow the words just formed in my head and I blurted out, “Do you sleep with your dogs?” The Queen smiled slightly and replied, “Noooooooo, because they snore.” Gigi could not believe my asking such a personal ques tion, but was relieved when I told her the Queen was amused by my forward approach, too.

Queen Elizabeth II… the end of an era revered by most, vilified by a few. Time will tell what becomes of the monarchy… but the Queen’s remarkable reign will be remembered by all. u

THE SUITE LIFE

GSTAAD—NOSTALGIA barged in like gangbusters. What brought it on was a brief article about the most charming and enchanting of young women, Nancy Olson. Seventy-two years ago she was in that rare gem of a movie, Sunset Boulevard, playing the rosy-cheeked screenwriter who was the love interest of William Holden, the handsome but entrapped writer by Norma Desmond, a.k.a. Gloria Swanson. Nancy’s blue eyes shimmered, and her figure was to die for, but what made her memorable was that she was as American as apple pie. Innocence trumped sex in her case, and apparently she was as decent

and as intelligent as the ingenue she played in Sunset Boulevard. She quit the movies early on because it was too narrow a life. She’s now 94 and has written a book, and I for one can’t wait. Alas, I never met her and I won’t feature in it because she was the third wife of a very great man with whom I spent an unforgettable evening while he was on his fifth or sixth marriage, the final tally being eight.

JFK was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, but earlier that summer on the Riviera I had met Jackie Kennedy’s sister Lee and her Polish husband Prince Radziwill, as we were both staying in Gianni Agnelli’s

Villefranche villa. Lee was prettier and more feminine than Jackie, and rather flirtatious. Jackie’s love of fashion and the arts following the blandness of the Eisenhower years had Washington in a tizzy. The capital had caught the “society bacillus.” Film stars, poets, writers, and socialites had turned the White House into a glamorous nonstop party, or so it seemed. Stas and Lee figured prominently in all the action. Then came the assassi nation and Jackie assumed the role of a martyred goddess. She soon moved to New York, while the Radziwill domestic Sturm und Drang became an open secret.

When Stas returned to London where he lived, Lee stayed behind to be close to Jackie. I was in my early 20s and Lee in her late 20s. We began hanging out, as they say nowadays. El Morocco was a nightly ritual for me back then, and on that particular evening Lee and I were seated on the banquet reserved for a privileged few, next to another couple, who smiled at us as we sat down. Unlike the studied detachment practiced by so-called celebrities today, the gentle man next to us who oozed cosmopolitan

have you. Both Lee and I were awestruck, and then after a few drinks he asked us to go back to his flat at the Pierre to listen to something he was working on.

The Pierre was next to the Sherry Netherland, where I grew up, so off we went to his penthouse and Alan hit the piano. “I’m thinking of calling it ‘On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.’ He sang it on the piano with a wonderful clean voice and asked us what we thought. We both tripped over our adjectives in showy adulation. He then asked me to go with him

three failed marriages. Her problem was, I believe, Jackie. Unlike her older sibling, docility to a man was not Lee’s strong point. Her artistic ambitions remained beyond reach, although she was encour aged by false friends such as Truman Capote, who wanted control. She tried acting and writing but remained known as the younger sister of the great Jackie. Certain humiliations followed after a couple of television plays in which she starred, but she remained undaunted till the end. Perhaps I’m being unfair, but

sophistication asked me how I got the black eye I was sporting. I told him it was from a right cross while boxing, and he said that it was flicky left jabs that did the real damage. He then introduced himself as Alan Lerner and his wife.

Well, I had the good luck to grow up during the golden age of American popular song, which began with the musi cal Show Boat and lasted until the rise of rock in the late ’60s. Alan Lerner was a hero librettist of mine, with hits such as An American in Paris, Paint Your Wagon, Brigadoon, Gigi, My Fair Lady (the libretto was superior to GBS’s Pygmalion , which the musical was based on), Camelot, Royal Wedding, Oscar-winning screenplays, and what

to the next room. I followed and he said, “You’re a nice-looking young man, boxing is too brutal a sport…” He then gently took out his glass eye. “I got this boxing,” he said, and just as gently put it back in. We then went back to the drawing room and heard more songs. The evening finished at around 5 a.m. and I never met Alan Lerner again. But I remember the night as if it were yesterday, his gentleness, friendliness, and incredible talent. I now read that he was married eight times, and Nancy Olson, the love of my life whom I never met, was his third.

Both Alan and Lee are now gone, but Alan’s music will always be with us. Lee and I stayed friends until the end, although she remained unsatisfied after

Lee’s underlying indifference to anything but her immediate concerns prompted the loss of the love of many. But we forget that women of her background back then had a limited range of marital and voca tional possibilities. Perhaps that’s why both of us were so open-mouthed with admiration in front of the genius of Alan Jay Lerner that memorable night. u

For more Taki, visit takimag.com.

OCCASIONS TO CELEBRATE

ASSEMBLING THE frontispiece and back pages for this book, Occasions to Celebrate, I looked through my own photos and, frankly, just could not believe what I saw. There have been so many good times, so many extraordinary people. I’ve had far more than my fair share of occasions to celebrate for more than half a century: seminal birthdays in New York, summer parties in Los Angeles, birthdays of my friends, honors, incredible trips all over the world. Special occasions. Ordinary occasions. A lifetime of celebration with people I love. Not a half-day goes by without my thinking of how grateful I am even when things aren’t that great. Not to get too deep here—this is a cookbook, after all, not a self-help tome—but perspective is the key to all deeper understanding.

While writing my last book, The Art of the Host , I went looking for a recipe Alice B. Toklas had given my mother in Paris in the 1950s. I uncovered more than 250 storage boxes of family archives, souvenirs, and photographs, many of which I’d never seen before. In many instances, I discovered my family in ways I did not have the opportunity to do while they were alive. To say they celebrated occasions is to say the Defenestrations of Prague were just another somebody opening the window.

Theirs were uncommon lives, welllived: weddings, concerts, birthday parties, my stepfather’s installation as a Kennedy Center Honoree, Thanksgivings,

Clockwise from top left: Dill and Shallot Butter for Grilled Salmon (or just about anything else) and EasiestEver Chimichurri Sauce for Grilled Meats; after struggling with cheesecake for years, Hitz developed what he considers the perfect receipe for his Insane and Easy Cheesecake; the cover of Rizzoli’s Occasions to Celebrate ; Deeda’s Oven-Baked Potato Chips with Crème Fraîche and Caviar, inspired by Deeda Blair.

Christenings, black-tie evenings out on the town, exotic trips to exotic places on exotic-seeming ocean liners.

In each photo, the moment itself seemed truly dazzling. But I looked beyond the photos and imagined more—the excitement in preparing for these occasions, what to wear, planning the whole everything, and, finally, the “how” of getting it all together. I have always been fascinated by any behind-the-scenes process. Remember: everything must always look easy although it never, ever is...

Imagining those preparation days, the celebration

wasn’t just the occasion itself. It was every second, minute, forethought devoted to planning and consideration. And all of a sudden, I looked at these things in a different way. I had an epiphany.

The message is clear. Celebrate every day. Don’t just wait for a special occasion. Every day is filled with so many of those. And if this time, the COVID-19 era, hasn’t taught us that, perhaps nothing will ever. Whether it’s your birthday, a holiday, or just another Tuesday, make every day a special occasion: an occasion to celebrate. ◆

Fresh Finds

This show stopping Twisted Lamé Midi Dress by Carolina Herrera is cut from shiny lamé with a shoulder-grazing neckline and a crossover waist that flares to a full A-line skirt. Match its glamour with opulent jewelry and metallic heels. $4,290 at carolinaherrera.com.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II once said, “I can never wear beige because nobody will know who I am.” She was known for sporting tweed jackets and plaids, often accessorized with a scarf, when in the field at Balmoral—while bright, bold color choices were her preference for evening. Take a cue from the Queen and walk confidently into October.

Greenleaf & Crosby’s Rose-cut diamond double circle drop earrings with cluster-style tops in 18k yellow gold. $8,800 at greenleafcrosby.com.

Accessorize with this 18k yellow gold and wood cuff by Silvia Furmanovich. $8,140 at marissacollections.com.

Featuring pavé diamonds, Asprey’s Woodland Charms are designed to be worn flexibly, either in isolation or combined with others. They can be attached and detached from the brand’s Charm Bracelets. More information at asprey.com.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course features an array of comfortable, well-appointed villas for family vacations at the world-class destination. Starting at $1,199 per villa per night. For more information, visit casadecampo.com.do.

Located at 135 West 57th Street, Suite 2A, Paolo Martorano Bespoke represents a new tradition in fine tailoring combining the highest standards of the artisanal technique with an eye for contemporary style. For information, visit paolostyle.com.

In rich calfskin suede, J.McLaughlin’s Ferdinand Bomber Jacket is a finely detailed, headturning aviator jacket that deserves a prime spot in any clothing closet. Visit jmclaughlin.com.

Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium to full bodied, this wine shows a purity of fruit with polish and sophistication. $175 at beringer.com.

Fresh Finds

Tucked away on quiet South Summer Street in Edgartown village, The Charlotte Inn is exquisitely appointed with fine art, English antiques, luxurious linens, and fresh flowers – a romantic reflection of a bygone era. For more information, visit thecharlotteinn.com.

Dress up with Graff’s diamond necklace (54.37cts.), set in white gold. Price upon request. Visit graff.com.

Shoshanna’s elegant faux leather combo midi knit Reade Dress features a rib knit mock neck and 3/4 length fitted sleeve with a faux leather skirt. $418 at shoshanna.com.

One hundred percent of the purchase price of Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Oxford Shirt is directed to an international network of cancer charities. Within the U.S., proceeds benefit the Pink Pony Fund of the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. $128 at ralphlauren.com/pinkpony.

Playful, refined and unconventional, Vhernier’s Palloncino earring is the faithful reproduction of its namesake brooch. $5,700 at shop.vhernier.com.

Multisize Happy Ring by Wempe Classics. 18k Rose gold and 90 sapphires. $15,325 at wempe.com.

Alexander McQueen’s Offthe-shoulder Corset Dress in Pop Yellow. $4,190 at alexandermcqueen.com.

Beginning on October 1st, La Mer will donate 100% of the purchase price of the 15ml Crème de la Mer The Moisturizing Cream, up to a maximum of $110,000, to Breast Cancer Research Foundation through June 30, 2023 (or until supplies last). $100 at cremedelamer.com.

Inspired by the Adirondack mountains, Stubbs & Wootton’s Bears Garnet slipper features a timeless Buffalo Plaid Upper with a Black Grosgrain Trim. $575 at stubbsandwootton.com.

The Lost Explorer Mezcal is partnering with Annabel’s in London by releasing 1,000 limited-edition bottles of The Lost Explorer Mezcal, with proceeds going towards The Caring Family Foundation’s rainforest-saving commitments. Available at Selfridges, Hedonism Wines and The Whisky Shop for £120.

Enjoy a weekend getaway in scenic and historic Watch Hill, Rhode Island with Ocean House’s Luxury Escape Package, which includes a two-night stay in the famous Tower Suite and more. Rates start at $10,840++ for two people. For reservations, call 401.584.7036.

LANDMARK RANCH ESTATES: HAMPTONS-STYLE HIDEAWAYS

LANDMARK RANCH ESTATES: HAMPTONS-STYLE HIDEAWAYS

IN SOUTH FLORIDA

IN SOUTH FLORIDA

WHILE SOME real estate markets are showing signs of cooling, the sunshine state continues to boom, as many businesses have relocated to the South Florida area alongside the people who migrated during the pandemic. With inventory slim in longtime hotspots like Palm Beach, home builders and buyers alike have looked west to fill the

WHILE SOME real estate markets are showing signs of cooling, the sunshine state continues to boom, as many businesses have relocated to the South Florida area alongside the people who migrated during the pandemic. With inventory slim in longtime hotspots like Palm Beach, home builders and buyers alike have looked west to fill the

demand. A prime example is Southwest Ranches in Broward County—just 22 miles outside Miami and 15 miles from Fort Lauderdale—which has recently seen a swath of bigticket homes sales to notable buyers. The area prides itself on its bucolic feel and low density, catering to an equestrian lifestyle and long seen as an alternative to Wellington. The MARIO APOLITO, EDWARD BUTER

demand. A prime example is Southwest Ranches in Broward County—just 22 miles outside Miami and 15 miles from Fort Lauderdale—which has recently seen a swath of bigticket homes sales to notable buyers. The area prides itself on its bucolic feel and low density, catering to an equestrian lifestyle and long seen as an alternative to Wellington. The MARIO APOLITO, EDWARD BUTER

new prominent estates by Landmark Custom Homes, which have attracted buyers seeking privacy, value, and acreage within the region’s remaining farmland. The estates, ranging from $7.9 million to a whopping $50+ million, offer turnkey building services via bespoke architectural designs from world-class firms, including Affiniti Architects of Palm Beach, Choeff Levy Fischman, and CMA Design Studios in Miami. “Real estate in Southeast Florida continues to be in high demand, more so at the luxury estate level where most sales are cash, and not directly affected by rising interest rates. This said, buyers are being more conscious when evaluating alternatives and looking for relative value, which has placed Southwest Ranches, especially Landmark Ranch Estates, in the spotlight,” says Miguel Serrano, Director of Luxury Sales for Douglas Elliman, the leading agent in Southwest

Ranches. “Buyers who were looking at waterfront properties out east are now open to alternatives not considered before. When they realize they can get substantially more estate, land, and tranquility, for much less of what they had budgeted, they are all in. Interest and activity are at an all-time high, with only a few home sites remaining.”

While the broader Southwest Ranches area is an oasis of tranquility, Landmark Ranch Estates— the only gated estate community in town—adds an unparalleled level of privacy and exclusivity, rarely found in Southeast Florida, with a selection of top-notch schools nearby and remarkable accessibility to Boca, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. “A community like this can never be created again in Southwest Ranches,” says Rick Bell, owner of Landmark Custom Homes who saw its potential and purchased 150 acres nearly two decades ago. “We’re building custom homes for both equestrians and nonequestrians looking for tranquility, safety, great value, and, most importantly, a different lifestyle from the beach or the convoluted urban areas,” says Bell. This trend is turning exclusive suburban hideaways like Southwest Ranches into Hamptons-style escapes. u

BRAVO! PALM BEACH

SYMPHONY LAUNCHES NEW SEASON

FOLLOWING A record-breaking season of smashed concert box office records and sold out social events, Palm Beach Symphony begins its 49th season this month with the world premiere of a new family concert filmed for national broadcast, an expanded schedule of six Masterworks concerts, a special holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah and several of the most eagerly anticipated events of the Palm Beach social season.

The Masterworks Season at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach now mirrors what would be season highlights at any of the world’s major concert halls. Music Director Gerard Schwarz will be joined at the podium by many of the most acclaimed musicians and vocalists performing today violinists Joshua Bell and Sarah Chang, pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Misha Dichter and Maria João Pires, and mezzosoprano Susan Graham.

Maestro Schwarz has curated captivating programs that include the world premiere of a work by Pulitzer Prize-winner

Joseph Schwantner. Internationally recognized for his moving performances, innovative programming and extensive catalog of recordings, Maestro Schwarz has received hundreds of honors and accolades, including nine Emmy Awards, eight ASCAP Awards, and being the first American named Conductor of the Year by Musical America.

“We are excited to increase our live performances this year and are as passionate about enhancing our educational programming that reached 7,943 K-12 students last season,” said Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McCylmont. “We will begin offering our Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series for national broadcast beginning with last season’s Eudora’s Fable: The Shoe Bird , an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Eudora Welty’s only children’s book, The Shoe Bird. This month, we will be filming The Adventures of Peter and the Wolf as Maestro Schwarz and narrator Jon Secada present a newly crafted reimagining of Prokofiev’s musical masterpiece in both English and Spanish.”

The Symphony has also expanded its social calendar. The members-only season kickoff party and post-concert dinners alongside the Sixth Annual Holly Jolly Symphony Fête and the 21st Anniversary Annual Gala are mainstays of the social season. This year, receptions will be added for members of the Impresario Society, a valued group of patrons who are the Symphony’s major contributors and event sponsors.

“This season will be a rousing overture to our 50th anniversary next year,” McClymont said. “We are thanking those who have been with us through the years with our most ambitious season ever and giving new patrons a compelling invitation to join us as we present world class concerts and deliver programs with significant community impact.”

THIRD STREET SOUTH:

GLAMOUR & GOOD TIMES IN OLD NAPLES

SITUATED JUST two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico in Old Naples, Florida, Third Street South is a premier shopping and culinary destination, charmingly surrounded by delightful courtyards, lush landscapes, and antique fountains. The plaza originally emerged at the turn of the 19th century as a sporting destination. After World War II, Charles Fleischmann, son of former Cincinnati mayor Julius Fleischmann and heir to a Gilded Age fortune, along with his wife Dorette, purchased several properties and shops that ultimately birthed Third Street South. Today, their daughter Joan Tobin continues to expand and uphold its reputable name.

For the stylish crowd, Third Street South teems with chic high fashion for both day and evening. On an eye-catching pink corner building, Marissa Collections is known for its curated selections of apparel, jewelry, handbags, and shoes from design ers like Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, and Manolo Blahnik. For those with a more laid-back style, J.McLaughlin, which has been located on Third Street South for over two decades, embodies classic American looks with well-cut clothes in flattering styles and accessories to match. For men, John Craig specializes in bespoke suits and retails popular designers such as Peter Millar and other fine labels, while Carter & Finley contains a great selection of innovative men’s fashion in a resort-style setting.

Shops like A Mano—an exclusive national source for the best French porcelains with an area devoted to Porthault linens and gifts—offer something exciting for any home. There are also several coffee shops, bakeries, art galleries, and salons nearby to be enjoyed during a shopping break.

The Third Street South restaurants alone are worth the trip, providing excellent nationally recognized choices across a broad spectrum of cuisines. Campiello is superbly Tuscan with a varied menu, and The Continental features the best of meats and other choices, a great craft bar, and a special Spa Lunch menu. Both are from highly successful restaurateur Richard D’Amico. Sea Salt, with its deliciously innovative Venetian-inspired food, is the flagship of the well-known chef Fabrizio Aielli, whose success in Washington, D.C. was much celebrated and continues to be in Naples. Barbatella, also from the Aiellis, is an Italian trattoria with, among other things, a mozzarella bar, charcuterie, and made-on-the-premises gelato.

Adding to the excitement of Third Street South are a variety of events, including trunk shows, wine tastings, fashion pre sentations, gallery openings, book signings, and the popular Farmer’s Market, which takes place every Saturday and features over 60 vendors.

In the European tradition, Third Street South is very pet-friendly, and dogs of all shapes and sizes are welcome at the market and elsewhere. This winter, Third Street South’s 16th Annual Pets on Third event will take place, featuring a parade, activities, and prizes. Third Street South has it all: sophistica tion, beauty, welcoming service, and a multitude of delights. u

Clockwise from above: Eileen Fisher; Third Street South is situated amid courtyards, lush landscaping, and antique fountains; cocktails at the bar at The Continental. Opposite page, from above: Dining with a view of the historic Naples Mercantile Company; Tony’s Off Third Wine and Pastry Shop; Camargo courtyard during the evening.

CORNWALL CASTLE

IN CONNECTICUT

A STORYBOOK-LIKE residence in Connecticut, the newly listed Cornwall Castle is complete with turrets, whimsical gargoyles and griffins, rolling meadows, babbling brooks, ponds and five waterfalls. Tucked away in 276.5± acres down a mile long drive, the chateau was a fairytale vision of New York socialite

Charlotte Bronson Hunnewell Martin, who began its construction in 1921 with architect Edward C. Dean at the helm. Beautifully restored and renovated by the current owners, the old-world charm combined with modern comforts is perfect for today’s contemporary living and lavish entertaining. The 1920s European-

style manor 8,767 square-foot main residence offers 18 rooms, featuring seven bedrooms, five full baths, four half baths, and eight fireplaces. The remarkable craftsmanship and architectural details throughout include a 20’ beamed ceiling, leaded glass windows, mahogany paneled dining room, marble floored reception hall, hand painted beams and tall French Doors that open onto an extensive stone terrace. The property has a heated pool and spa, a fourbedroom gatehouse, a two-bedroom chauffeur/caretaker’s apartment, one-

bedroom pool house, six-bay heated garage, four-stall stable, and private licensed helipad. The beautiful parklike grounds also include stone footbridges, courtyard fountains, outdoor fireplace, multiple terraces, balconies, and enchanting vistas. This spectacular property offers incomparable country living and is only 100 miles from New York City. u

Cornwall Castle is listed by Maria Taylor (203.578.0397 or mtaylor1800@aol.com) and Graham Klemm (860.488.6635 or email gtklemm@icloud.com).

BRITISH ACCENT

FIVE YEARS AFTER Michael and Paula Bickford proposed the renovation of two landmarked structures to create a new kind of private club in Palm Beach, akin to the renowned spe cies of discreet establishments scattered throughout London’s West End, November will see the official debut of Carriage House, a members-only lunch, dinner, and night spot that seems tailor-made for the changed and somewhat “democratic” social scene in the venerable resort town.

As one charter member of Carriage House commented: “the three most highly prized clubs—Bath & Tennis, Sailfish, and granddaddy of them all, The Everglades—are impossible to get into, so the timing of the Bickford’s venture, which is similar to London’s popular 5 Hertford Street, is somewhat impeccable”. Not surprisingly, the PB “drumbeat” resounds with rumors of other new clubs close on their heels. In the past five or six years, Palm Beach has been revived by the

influx of well-heeled sorts from all parts, with savvy hoteliers and restaurateurs heeding the call for buzzy, smartly designed outposts and reinventions of the island’s traditional watering holes and gathering spots.

The Florida playground of the rich and famous—and infamous—has become a central player on the international landscape of younger, wealthy types in search of a place geared toward their tastes and access - not a stiff and exclusive institu tion with old school rules and family traditions. Think Gen-X over boomers, with a few bold-faced exceptions.

After a soft opening last spring, members and guests were impressed by the exotic and layered interior spaces coupled with the high level of cuisine at Carriage House. “I can imag ine going there not only for dinner, but as a place for a premeal cocktail or nightcap,’ said one charter member. Another thought the place seemed comfortable and convivial—and

would be a “local” for a certain portion of the population during the high season. Members are generally hesitant to discuss the club’s dynamic, but are overwhelmingly positive in assessing it, with great food and ambience key in their impressions, and a hopeful prediction that Carriage House will be a resounding success, in a town where growth continues unabated.

Carriage House has faced many hurdles in its path to real ization. The town’s notorious regulations were challenging to overcome. The Bickfords were granted permission to open after agreeing to 31 conditions imposed by the Town Council in a usage agreement, covering hours of operation, size of rooms within the two-building club, soundproofing, number of members (about 230), parking and other restrictions. The club has been the talk of the town, with much speculation about the cost of an individual adult membership (no corpo rate memberships are to be offered), whether membership has been capped (it hasn’t), and how one can go about garnering an invitation to join.

The club’s main portion, 264 South County Road, at the southern corner of the entrance to the historic Phipps Plaza

enclave, is an original 1930 Addison Mizner-designed struc ture. It once served as the office and trading floor of E.F. Hutton, who at the time was married to Marjorie Merriweather Post (the two resided at Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach estate the couple built together). Renowned Spanish interior designer Luis Bustamante created the luxuriously appointed “bespoke” series of rooms throughout Carriage House, and the menus of Mediterranean cuisine are “curated” by chef Mathias Gervais, with Japanese choices available as created by Shuji Hiyakawa. The wine cellar won’t disappoint either. No posting is permit ted on club grounds, affording members and guests the free dom to carry on as they like without fear of getting “caught” on social media. “We fell in love with the iconic 264 Mizner building commissioned by E.F Hutton and the adjacent 270 building” says Paula Bickford. “Our vision was to preserve these historic buildings and to provide a cultural contribution to the town of Palm Beach”.

As a sage and longtime observer of the Island’s social scene wisely commented: “There are many Palm Beaches, and Carriage House can succeed by effusively serving the evolving taste of these most recent arrivals”. ◆

WARHOL’S DARLING ENIGMA

EDIE SEDGWICK is undoubtedly the most iconic of all of the muses of Andy Warhol. Her face is still instantly recog nizable, and her short blonde hair and waifish mod style remains an inspiration in women’s fashion today. So why does she have such a lasting impact on pop culture? Perhaps it’s her moth to a flame , “the star that burned out too soon” story, and the cautionary tale of fame and drugs. Whatever the reason, she undoubtedly demonstrated star quality and immense impact in her short life.

In a new book, As It Turns Out: Thinking About Edie and Andy , her sister Alice Sedgwick Wohl gives new insight into her sister’s meteoric life cut short. For the first time, we are given an insider’s glimpse into the world that shaped young Edie, from her time with Andy Warhol to her even tual demise. Wohl weaves a story that contrasts the life of Edie with her own vastly different life. An entire chapter of the book is devoted to the year 1965, at which time Edie’s supernova life began with her first film roles for Warhol

Clockwise from top left: Edie sculpting in Cambridge, winter 1963/1964; the cover of Farrar, Straus and Giroux’s As It Turns Out: Thinking About Edie and Andy by Alice Sedgwick Wohl; Duke Sedgwick in a corral. Opposite page: Edie with her father Duke Sedgwick and Chubb the horse.

while Wohl was living a quiet married life and raising a fam ily. Wohl shares a deeply personal and emotionally moving reflection on Edie, who is remembered as a wildly lovable and creative soul who unfortunately succumbed to the underbelly of the 1960s.

As It Turns Out is the long-awaited proper tribute that Edie’s life has so deserved and is aptly underscored by a sister’s love. Wohl ends her book with, “It seems that all the evidence I will ever have of Edie, of the figure that she was and remains, consists of her image and the response that she evoked in others. Is it possible that she was not a superstar, not a real star after all, but more like a celestial body of another kind, composed of dark matter, knowable only by the gravitational pull that she exerted? I keep think ing about her, and I cannot say.” And this is the power and mystery that will keep the memory and allure Edie Sedgwick alive for generations to come. u

SUMMER PARTY AT HOLKHAM HALL (UK)

HOLKHAM HALL, family seat of the Earls of Leicester, was the magnificent venue for a summer party hosted by Tom Leicester, the 8th Earl, and the directors of Gal lyon, Gun & Rifle Makers. Both the great house and the gunmaker have a long and distinguished history.

Completed in 1764, Holkham Hall is recognized as one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian architecture in the world and is a treasure store of artworks, in cluding paintings by Rubens, Claude Lorrain and van Dyck. (There’s also a slightly startling Jupiter Caressing Juno by Gavin Hamilton that was considered so risqué it was removed from the bedchamber of George V and Queen Mary when they came to stay in 1912.)

From above: Rebecca de Stacpoole shooting the new Gallyon gun; Don Custerson, Gallyon’s master gunmaker, showing the new models to Robert Pitcher. Opposite page, counterclockwise from above: Guests gather outside Holkham Hall; Holkham gamekeepers in their estate tweed (Catherine Leach, James Knights, head keeper Mark Fitzer, Martin Joyce, and Steve Herrieven); Robert Pitcher shooting.

Yet despite its grandeur, it remains very much a home for Tom Leicester and his family and is the centre of a thriving 25,000-acre Norfolk estate devoted to farming, conservation, and gamebird shooting of the highest quality.

The estate’s game books, recording every shoot day, go back to 1793 and Holkham is widely regarded as the birthplace of the British style of game shooting, where the birds are driven towards the waiting line of shooters by beaters marshalled by gamekeepers. A high proportion of these birds are truly wild, and the shoot is renowned for the quality and quantity of its pheasants and English grey partridges.

Gallyon’s history rather reflects that of Holkham. Like the es tate, it’s situated in East Anglia, and was founded in 1784, mak ing it England’s oldest gunmaker. The first Gallyon, William, set up business in the university town of Cambridge making

and selling guns to the young gentlemen studying there.

The company continues to flourish almost 250 years lat er, with a sixth generation of the family, Richard Gallyon, serving as the firm’s ambassador. Today it focuses on com bining traditional gunmaking skills with the latest technol ogy to build a new range of wholly-British, precision-built, performance shotguns under the leadership of its directors, Richard Hefford-Hobbs and Adam Anthony.

The association between this famed shooting estate and Gallyon is so close that it was perhaps inevitable that the premier model would be named The Holkham.

Guests at the party were encouraged to try the new guns in the splendid surroundings of the Holkham parkland but on this occasion were not offered the spartan fare tradition al to Holkham shooting parties in the old days - a bottle of beer and a raw onion. u

1 FALL AT CASA

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in La Romana, the Dominican Republic will host a number of activities to delight kids and adults alike this fall. The events include concerts, a drive-in cinema, art exhibitions, Clay and Wine, museum nights in Altos de Chavon, a petting zoo, and a golf cart decoration contest for Halloween that promise to bring fun and joy to its guests. The resort is also offering a special Fall Savings package. For more information, visit casadecampo. com.do.

3 FALL LUNCHEON

Generously sponsored by Prada, The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering will host its first-ever Fall Lunch, co-chaired by Maria von Bothmer, Courtney Corleto, Mimi Ritzen Crawford, Carolina de Neufville, Erin O’Connor, and Starrett Ringbom. Proceeds will raise critical funds to support programs at MSK and The Society’s Research Grants Program. More than 300 of The Society of MSK’s most high-profile supporters will join for

OCTOBER

a seated lunch at The Mandarin Oriental at 12 p.m. For more information, visit giving.mskcc.org.

6

BROOKLYN BLACK TIE

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy will hold its annual Brooklyn Black Tie Ball at Pier 2 at 6 p.m. The Manhattan skyline and sweeping views of New York Harbor will serve as the magnificent backdrop for the evening’s celebration of

New York City’s most spectacular waterfront. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit brooklynbridgepark.org.

7

HAMPTONS FILM

Hamptons International Film Festival will celebrate its 30th anniversary edition through October 16th. This year, the festival is expanding to a 10-day event to commemorate the milestone. The

festival has remained a stop on the awards trail and has screened many of the Oscar winning films, and welcomed the actors and filmmakers out East over its 29 year run. For more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.

SAVE VENICE

The culminating event in Save Venice’s 2021 to 2022 series of global celebrations honoring the 50th Anniversary, Il Gran Gala a Venezia will take place in Italy through Monday, October 10th, with an optional Biennale program on Tuesday, October 11th. To be added to the waitlist, contact newyork@ savevenice.org or call 212.737.3141.

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FOOD FESTIVAL

The New York Times will invite food enthusiasts and home cooks to Damrosch Park for a full day of live programming with celebrity chefs and New York Times Food and Cooking journalists. General public tickets are on sale starting at $40 at nytimes.com/foodfestival.

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BEYOND THE MARGINS

Fountain House will hold its

inaugural “Moving Beyond the Margins” benefit at The Glasshouse at 6 p.m. It will honor mental health advocates and industry leaders who are re-shaping mental health in America. Moving Beyond the Margins will feature an inspirational dinner program, alongside engaging activations, and bring together change-makers in the mental health space to create the community, innovation, and social change needed for people most impacted by mental illness to lead connected and healthy lives. For more information, visit fountainhouse.org.

FIESTA AT THE PLAZA

In honor of Casita Maria’s 88th anniversary, the organization will host its Fiesta Gala at The Plaza Hotel. The event will honor Casita Maria’s work to support the families and youth in the South Bronx and East Harlem. For more information or reservations, contact the Benefit Office at 917.477.7760 or email fiesta@casitamaria.org.

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FALL CELEBRATION

The Boys’ Club of New York will

hold its Fall Celebration at The Loeb Boathouse in Central Park at 6 p.m. For more information, visit bcny.org.

PUMPKIN PATCH

The Royal Poinciana Plaza will host its Pop-Up Patch for Philanthropy through October 16th in Palm Beach. The event will benefit Cancer Alliance of Help & Hope. For more information, visit theroyalpoincianaplaza.com.

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GALA IN PARIS

The French Heritage Society will hold its 40th Anniversary Gala at the Petit Palais in Paris. Guests will wander the stunning Petit Palais with cocktail in hand, enjoy a delectable dinner by Le Bristol Paris’ four Michelin-starred Chef Eric Frechon, and dance the night away in old world style. For more information, visit frenchheritagesociety.org.

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GOD’S LOVE AWARDS

God’s Love We Deliver will host its Golden Heart Awards at The Glasshouse at 6 p.m. For more information, visit glwd.org.

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HOPE FOR DEPRESSION

The Hope for Depression Research Foundation will celebrate the launch of its NYC HDRF Junior Committee

at Doubles at 6 p.m. Guests will hear a few words from HDRF Founder Audrey Gruss, and be given the chance to connect with peers committed to mental health advocacy. For more information, visit hopefordepression.org.

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ABT’S FALL GALA

American Ballet Theatre will hold its annual Fall Gala at David H. Koch Theater at 6:30 p.m. The event will honor ABT Trustee Patricia R. Morton with The Melville Straus Leadership Achievement Award. For more information, visit abt.org.

NOVEMBER

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LIVING LANDMARKS

The Living Landmarks Conservancy will host its 2022 Living Landmarks Celebration at The Plaza Hotel. “We inaugurated the Living Landmarks Celebration to recognize extraordinary New Yorkers who give back so much to the City we love,” said Peg Breen, President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy. For more information, contact Carla Eilo at CarlaEilo@nyLandmarks. org or 212.995.5260 ext. 310.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HEADS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

FROM 1837 TO 2022, there were seven monarchs, five men and two women. Queen Victoria came to the throne at age 18 in 1837. She was succeeded in 1901—63 years and 7 months lat er—by her son, Edward VII (knicknamed “Bertie”), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, who ruled from January 22, 1901 until his death in 1910. He was succeeded by his second son, Albert, the Prince Consort who became King George V. On his death in 1936, King George V was first succeeded by his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, David, who became Edward VIII. But Edward then abdicated in December of the same year to marry the woman he loved, American divorcée Wallis Simpson.

David’s younger brother, Albert, also known as “Bertie”, succeeded him as George VI. King George reigned until his death in 1952 when his eldest child and daughter, Elizabeth, became Queen Elizabeth II who recently died on September 8, 2022. She is succeeded by her son, the Prince of Wales, King Charles III.

In those 185 years, up until the reign of Elizabeth, England’s power in the world was so widespread that it was known as the British Empire. Of its seven monarchs during that time, two women, Victoria and Elizabeth, presided over almost two-thirds (137) of those 185 years.

Edward VII had come to the throne when he was 60 in 1901.

He was an old man by then. He commented at the time that it was “too late.” He’d already lived his life—living high, wide, and handsome, waiting for the inevitable. By 60, he’d lived long and hard and the world had progressed naturally without him. Commenting on Edward VII’s brief reign, a British baron, Lord Howard de Walden, wrote of court life at the time, “I feel it is a sort of sad, last transformation scene: in a moment the curtain will come down and the harlequinade of pure democracy will begin.” And it did.

In many ways, Queen Elizabeth II was the last of the mon archs of the Empire. An empire that is no longer. It was during her grandfather’s reign before she was born, that it began to politically disintegrate or transform naturally, as all empires in history do. Her successor, King Charles III, is now the head of the Royal Family—a family that no longer rules the waves. In fact, it is a family that no longer rules. Period.

What was remarkable about Charles’ mother, was how she actualy managed to preside over the world in a role that she cre ated with her natural heritage. She was a Mother figure for all of us. Her presence was her power. There was nobody like her, no woman or man. She performed her role impeccably and cred ibly. She was gracious and publicly respectful. She set a good example that is difficult to adhere to for many of the leaders in our modern world.

That this woman who had no real political power could carve out an essential global role based on the way she conducted her self serves as an eternal reminder to all of us. She sought a high er power—not one frought with military or political advantage. Elizabeth the Queen was incomparable. And positive. That was the message, and it was universal. Ironically, her late former daughter-in-law seemed to possess much of the same power.

When Edward VIII commented about succession being “too

late,” it’s easy to think the same for Charles III. I don’t know him personally although I know many who do. His “story” as a royal heir is unique simply because of his role assigned by nature. We spectators have watched it all our lives.

As he began aging, however, it was easy to imagine the situa tion as a dilemma. A modern man, well-educated and an excel lent philanthropist with his Prince’s Trust—his main purpose es tablished by birth, has been to wait for his mother to die. His role no longer applies in our political systems. An intelligent man, he undoubtedly knows this.

He could have gone off and made a separate life for him self, but that is exempt from powerful tradition and Charles did not choose to do that. His mother’s Uncle David, the Duke of Windsor, did that and look where it got him: excluded and de-privileged.

Charles clearly has stick-to-it-iveness and has hung in there to succeed his late, great mother. He has arrived at his heritage in a world amidst uncertainty and fear. Since childhood, his life has always been challenging. While very well cared for, as a child he did not have an ideal mother in the “motherly” department (al though he had a very good grandmother). But Charles’ life was never going to be an ordinary one, and no doubt the challenges will continue for the man.

King Charles’ London is already dramatically different from that of all previous monarchs in history. Because the world is dramatically different. Today’s London is filled with foreigners who speak many languages from lands that were once considered

acquired/ conquered/ taken over by the British... But that was the story then. Now we’re in the Now.

Prince Charles has lived a very princely life, personally. When he made his first public appearances as King, he revealed a dis tinct side of his personality—that of a man who is used to being waited on perfectly and automatically. Which is hardly unusual for someone so accustomed to a certain pattern of procedures. But being visibly and impatiently annoyed by others who are not responding to one’s wishes is unbecoming, even for a prince.

Seeing Prince Charles at a dinner at Buckingham Palace for the London Philharmonia several years ago, I couldn’t help but imagine that he seemed in an impossible situation as a human being. Amongst the crowd—and he was crowded by guests ex cited to see and speak to him—he looked nervous and uneasy, although clearly intending to be gracious. In another part of the room his wife Camilla, with her naturally warm smile and bright eyes, was chatting with other guests. Her ease and friendly nature is very attractive. I could see how important she is to his sense of well-being. She brings what is missing naturally into his life.

He’s “waited” (to be king) longer than anyone in British history, and all the while a definitive object of scrutinizing attention as an individual and as a man. At first glance he does not seem comfortable in his skin, although he knows quite well what his role is and how he should play it. This is a powerful challenge for any man—almost impossible. It’s something to seriously run away from. But he’s not like his mother, or his great-Uncle David; he’s going to stay with it and do his best for his country. u

MILLBROOK

A COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

AUTUMN IN the Millbrook countryside is pastoral life in its finest season with an endless array of plein air activities. One could say the area is a state of mind for individuals and families united by a love of the land and its country pursuits. Fox hunting, shooting, beagling, polo, and every other equestrian disciplines are all available for participation and spectating.

When the leaves start to turn and woolies appear, it is the ideal time to stroll through the gardens at Wethersfield, Innisfree, and the Carey Institute. Each is notable as an award-winning sanctuary of design. Or if a more strenuous workout is desired, a hike up Stissing Mountain rewards the effort with breathtaking views from the Berkshires to the Catskills as the vibrant quilt of changing colors lay out as far as the eye can see.

In the mornings, witness a marvelous spectacle of the Millbrook Hunt, as a formation of horse and rider, flanked by a pack of clever hounds roam the trails and neighboring

Clockwise from top left: Wethersfield stewards Bernadette Murray, Tara Shaffer, Carolina Kim, Marion de Vogel, Willem de Vogel, and Jacqueline Stahl Thorne holding her son, Blake Thorne; Shane and Connor Finemore; The Millbrook Hunt held its 124th Opening Meet at Wethersfield, where its original owner, Chauncy Stillman, was drawn to foxhunting. Three female masters lead the hunt last year; Barbara Tober and her late husband, Donald, sponsors of a Four-in-Hand; a Roseview Farms Tailgate at Millbrook’s Mashomack Polo Club.

FARMS

farms. The area encourages “hunt-friendly” landowners, and in return a band of volunteers keep the trails well groomed and at the ready. Many devotees follow on foot taking in the crisp county air as the scenic sport unfolds around them. If polo is more your speed, Mashomack Polo offers leagues and tournaments at various levels and encourages intrepid new-comers at its Polo School. Fieldside spectating is also encouraged as fans gather with blankets and hampers to cheer their mates on to victory. Shooting is another pastime that is pursued with great gusto as devotees take to local sporting clays courses to hone their skills and await the opening of the official season.

The challenge for the area is to retain the open spaces that are so critical to a rural lifestyle. Charming roads here are lined with farms of every description, handsome horse fencing and dazzling panoramas of fields and hills. The committed community coalesces around land issues supporting the Dutchess Land Conservancy’s important mission. Since 1985 the Dutchess Land Conservancy has preserved over 44,000 acres of habitat, open space, and farmland. u

CHARLESTON’S MIGRATION OF THE NEXT GENERATION

I WRITE THIS from a two-story, classic Charleston single home, which entails a side garden, double-decker porches, and shut ters with the fancy black S-curled hinges. Built in the late 1800s, it has been renovated to consist of modern appliances while still maintaining the character of an old and lovely Charleston origi nal home–wooden beams, creaky doors, and interestingly sized nooks… you get it. Yet, in my Cannonborough-Elliotborough up-and-coming neighborhood, the residents and visitors here are far from grey. Why did I move here along with many other curious-minded, young and old alike, drawn individuals? There is no better time than the fall to both reflect and get excited for the season to commence.

I hopped on the phone with Deborah C. Fisher, Broker-inCharge of luxury real-estate firm Handsome Properties, who gave me a more professional insight into the new wave of relo cators and the events residents can look forward to:

“Charleston is a historical gem consisting of living history in our magnificent buildings from the 16th to the 21st century. From summer soirees to oyster roasts in the fall, Charlestonian’s social calendars are filled year round. This year we (Handsome Properties) are delighted to be sponsoring the Lowcountry Land Trust Sporting Clays Shoot and the Fall Garden Tours for Historic Charleston Foundation. These and many more organizations such as the Preservation Society help our local community thrive for generations to come.”

Charleston is a sensory city.

I see the streets scattered with colorful houses. I see the blue ocean, I see the lush green marsh. I see the trendy college stu dents, and the suit-clad businessmen, and the bikers.

I feel the ocean’s waves hit me in the surf on a sunny beach

explore, there is no wrong decision. I do best outside, on a porch, a patio, or a rotting dock, and Charleston caters to that–while still allowing me to have the cool conveniences of being a “young” person in a growing city.

I taste the flavorful food scene, whether raw oysters, Carolina BBQ, fresh sushi, or seared snapper. As a current 24-year-old hospitality publicist, work runs into play, and, boy, do I have notes. My neighborhood itself could not lend more to the

From above: The intersection of Church and Queen Street in The French Quarter, Charleston; guests enjoying a Handsome Properties event. Opposite page, clockwise from above: A horse farm listed by Hand some Properties on Johns Island, South Carolina; Bar 167; a charming alleyway in Charleston; Lowcountry Oyster Roast; Chubby Fish; a Handsome Properties Oyster Roast.

diverse culinary scene: Chubby Fish for the feelin’ fancy, high heel night out, or Cutty’s down the block for the grungy, laid-back dive scene. Vern’s (two blocks down from me) is produced by a local couple ready to show why you come to Charleston to feel at home while favoring your taste buds.

167 Raw (also of 167 Raw Sushi and the recently-opened 167 Bar), is where it’s at in terms of high-end, yet low-key, delight ful Lowcountry cuisine with a New England touch put your name down and then bounce around the neighboring bars while you wait for your table (“no reservations, no problem” in Charleston–there is always something to distract for the impatient here).

At Hall’s Chophouse, prepare to be greeted at the door by a member of the Hall family themselves, smiling as they usher you in for a time of classy celebration whether that be a bachelorette party, family get-together, or just a good ol’ time, you will find it here, with the white tablecloths, piano player, and catering service.

I hear the party-prowlers late at night dancing down King Street. When I choose to be one of them, I usually pick the lively Uptown Social or a local cozy bar like the Elliotborough, Mini Bar (open mic night on Wednesdays, FYI). There’s also the honey-suckle canopying, margarita-providing patio at Maya. My favorite way to end a night out is by hailing a pedicab ride home, through the oak trees and past the gently lit homes, towards my own shutter-clad abode… see you in the Holy City? ◆ JANE DUGGAN

Counterclockwise from top right: The famed Halls Chophouse; a Charleston townhouse; exploring via moped; a dock on a horse farm listed by Handsome Properties.

Clockwise from above: The College of Charleston; a barn at a Handsome Properties listing; a building honored by the Preservation Society of Charleston with the Carolopolis Award; an iconic Charleston townhouse with brick exterior.

OBERCREEK RENEWED

MY CHILDHOOD SCHOOLMATE, Alex Reese and his architect wife, Alison Spear, invited us for a festive country house weekend this summer at Alex’s ancestral family home upstate, Obercreek. The southernmost of the historic Livingston family estates on the Hudson River, Obercreek has been in a direct line of family ownership for six generations. Alex’s father, Willis Livingston Mesier Reese, was an eminent professor of international law at Columbia, and his saintly mother, Franny, was a founder of the Hudson River Valley conservation movement.

Today Obercreek comprises 240 acres and includes an organic farming operation, Obercreek Farms, and Obercreek Brewing

Company, which produces a wide variety of American beers.

Alison has ingeniously renovated Obercreek’s mélange of architectural styles (originally Federal in the mid-19th century, an Italianate makeover followed, then in the 1920s Alex’s grandparents remodeled the house as a Colonial Revival, adding a two-story portico a la Mount Vernon and an exquisite Gothic Revival, Anglo-Catholic chapel carved from red oak by Russian sculptor Gleb Derjinsky).

Alison’s renovation lightened the house by reducing its third story servant quarters, installing French doors, creating exquisite gardens, and building a deep summer dining veranda on Obercreek’s west side that connects two 19th century wings. Ideal for al fresco meals, we supped on sea bass one night and grilled lamb another, supplemented by produce straight from Obercreek’s fields. Our fellow guests included my ever-beautiful Saratoga chum Jennifer Davis, now happily married to my dear Johns Hopkins pal, John Egan, together with Eames and Pam Taylor Yates. And after the feast there was dancing in the family portrait-laden hallway.

Daytime outings included visits to the Dia Art Museum in Beacon and the Storm King Art Center, canoeing on Wappinger Creek out into the Hudson, tennis and swim ming in the pretty Obercreek pool. We left after filling up the car with vegetables from the Obercreek Farmstand and returned home grateful for the hospitality of such generous hosts and longtime friends. ◆

is an essential part of the English landscape. Typically Georgian, often with a smidge of Tudor, these stately piles and their maze of bedrooms were built for par tying hard. And when it came to that, no one beat Pearl.

We were friends in the Seventies, when I was in my teens and she of graceful and dignified years. But back in the Twenties, she’d been a ‘flapper’ and a beauty, as testified by her life-size portrait painted at the time, which hung in her drawing-room. It captures Pearl in her prime, wearing only a charming smile and, naturally, a string of large pearls.

She giggled when she caught me looking at it too long and explained “It was all part of the fun at the time,” when her long weekends were spent visiting country houses filled with an eclec tic mix of the arty and tweedy.

“The family chauffeur would collect me and my sister at around noon on Thursday, drive us to the country and then take us home on Monday morning,” she said. “We shared a maid, as we were young, but we really did need someone to look after our wardrobe and dress us.”

Today, that sounds extravagant but back in the Twenties it was still the form that ladies could not wear the same outfit twice, meaning at least three changes per day: tweeds and furs for the day’s sport, a tea-gown on return followed by a long gown for dinner.

The day clothes were warm because most large country house parties were held in the winter and based around shooting or hunting. Summer was spent ‘doing the Season’ Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, Royal Ascot from London houses.

It’s very much the same today. Far from being confined to Agatha Christie or Downton Abbey period pieces, the country house weekend still thrives, especially in the shooting season. And many of the etiquette rules still apply.

Highclere Castle in Hampshire, the real Downton Abbey, is the family seat of the Earls of Carnarvon and holds shooting weekends from October onwards, the domestic arrangements overseen by the Countess. “On Friday evenings the girls wear cocktail dresses and the boys smoking jackets without a tie, then on Saturday night it’s long dresses for the ladies and black-tie for the men,” she says.

That’s pretty much the form, too, at Constable Burton Hall in North Yorkshire, overlook ing acres owned by the Wyvill family since the mid-16th century. “However, evening wear can be as informal or formal as guests desire,” says D’Arcy Wyvill, “though of course the girls often lead the way in fabulous cocktail dresses.”

Down in Cornwall, at Caerhays Castle, the owner’s daughter,

Serena Cross, says “We don’t go as far as black tie in the evening but I do still wear a dress for dinner. My husband likes a comfort able old smoking jacket, but with an open-necked shirt at home. I believe that you can be stylish without being too stiff.”

Her dress code is pretty much standard for most smart country house parties. Un less it specifies black tie, on the Friday evenings it’s pretty casual and on Saturdays out come the cocktail dresses for girls and what’s been termed “Hampshire black tie” for boys: no tie, smoking jacket, ivory shirt, dark trousers, and velvet slippers.

In the day time, it’s less for giving. At shooting weekends, all the men will be in tradition al tweed plus-fours and tie and the women in sombre tweeds and loden and, increasingly, these will be cut for performance as lady Shots are now the norm in the gun line.

When the guests return from the field, there’s usually a cup of tea and cake, after which guests are expected to vanish into their rooms and not appear until 7:30 p.m. for drinks giving hosts a

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Countess of Carnarvon’s latest book, The Earl and the Pharaoh: From the Real Downton Abbey to the Discovery of Tut ankhamun, published by HarperCollins, tells the story of the 5th Earl’s discovery of the tomb and explores the curse of the pharaohs. For more information on Highclere Castle, visit highclerecastle.co.uk and to book shooting there click on iancoley.co.uk.

To stay at Constable Burton Hall, contact D’Arcy Wyvill at darcy@wyvill.co.uk, or visit on constableburton.com.

To join a shooting weekend at Caerhays Castle, visit visit.caerhays.co.uk or email Serena Cross at serena@ phoenixsporting.co.uk.

Excellent tailor-made smoking jackets are built by Jeremy Shaw at Carters Countrywear. Email ccw7@btconnect.com or visit carterscountrywear.clothing/content/ shootingparties.html.

Comfortable, bespoke men’s velvet slippers are available form Bowhill & Elliott. Email shop@bowhillandelliott.co.uk or visit bowhillandelliott.co.uk.

break and staff a clear run to prepare dinner.

Eating is the other central activity at country house weekends and is starts with breakfast. Serena Cross, being in woodcock country, likes “a woodcock on toast (with a small glass of Bur gundy) for breakfast. Lunch is kick started with a Bloody Mary, followed by oysters, and supper’s usually a rare rib of local beef and a fabulous cheese board. Of course, cold Champagne throughout is always welcome.”

At Highclere, Fiona Carnarvon plans the menus with the head chef, Paul Brooke-Taylor, and says, “We still have a favorite Highclere chicken curry for a shoot lunch with all the family. One of the lesser ingredients is the curry powder, and one of the most important is the cream.” That’s followed by “old favorites such as treacle or ginger pudding, spotted dick, and apple char lotte, which are always a hit with friends or clients on let shooting days.” In the Edwardian past, Highclere dinners required some stamina. “Today we have just three courses and only one dish per course,” explains Brooke-Taylor. “If we can, we use our own venison, or local butchers and local vegetable suppliers. Without doubt I plan a dinner quite differently today, with more vegeta bles, and often suggest chicken or fish and fewer large servings of red meat.”

After dinner, bridge or party games were commonplace but nowadays it’s usually snooker in the billiards room or Freda, where players race frantically around the table propelling the white ball at the red one. Charades are rare, except at Christmas, though still favored by the current Earl of Carnarvon, according to the Countess, who also notes that his grandfather Porchey, the 6th Earl, was fond of Sardines, where one person hides and as others find them they hide with them. “With his amorous nature, he probably hoped to spend time with a new love in a dark cor ner. Given the castle’s size, they might not be found for a while.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Sardines is seldom played at country houses today as it’s considered far too fruity and everyone likes to be asked back.

One of the best ways to ensure this is to make sure you tip the staff properly. Another is to take your host or hostess a de cent present. Magnums of Champagne and rare ports are ap preciated but so is anything homemade, even if it’s sloe gin or marmalade. More unusual was that given to Serena Cross: “a recently-shot muntjac deer left on our car roof overnight - the dogs went wild!”

First prize for gifts, however, must go to D’Arcy Wyvill, who recounts that when he was young a family friend’s visit was pre ceded by a Harrods van, out of which was unloaded a mini Volk swagen Beetle Cabriolet, totally drivable with a petrol engine and perfect in miniature to the real thing. “It really was the thing of dreams for myself and my brother!”

What all hosts remember and value most, however, are guests that really make an effort to add to the jollity. “To be honest, I’m not sure we behaved especially well,” recalls Pearl from her headstrong days in the Twenties. “There was the occasional bro ken chair and a lot of 2 a.m. corridor creeping. But because we all had so much boisterous fun there always seemed to be another invitation to yet another country house weekend.” ◆

The future King Edward VII (center) and the 5th Earl of Carnarvon at a Highclere Castle shooting party in 1895. Opposite page, clockwise from above: Mark Ewart holding a bird he shot at Byrecleugh Farm at Roxburghe Estates near Duns in the Scottish Borders, 2021; a labrador retrieves a grouse; stylish ladies on the grouse moors in Ayrshire, 1936; shooters with English pointers an ancient breed expert in locating grouse and other gamebirds in Byrecleugh Farm, Longformacus, Duns; household servants in the Edwardian era.

A STYLISH LIFE IS A LIFE WELL-LIVED

BY ELIZABETH MEIGHER

“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.”

—Queen Elizabeth II

Queen Elizabeth will be remembered foremost for her dedication to service, crown and country. Much of her remarkable strength was drawn from simple pleasures at home, which were well known to include family and, from a young age, four-legged friends. Above she is pictured at Balmoral in 1971 with her labrador retrievers.

Like Her Majesty, the following pages are proof that a life well-lived is a life in style.

Clockwise from top left: The Queen Mother meets Diana Ross and The Supremes after watching them perform at the Royal Variety Performance in 1968; Lou Lou de la Falaise, Yves Saint Laurent, and Betty Catroux, 1969; Students walking on campus in the 1970s from Rizzoli’s Seven Sisters; Princess Diana among the crowd at the races at Sandown Park in 1981; Norman Parkinson photographing Nena von Schlebrügge with his 10 x 8 camera in New York for the cover of Queen, 1960; Two young models (including Grace Coddington on the right) embrace the mod look while shop ping in London in the ’60s. Opposite page, counterclockwise from top left: Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Prince William and Prince Harry pictured on the grounds of Highgrove House; Yves Saint Laurent Couture Fall 1975; Milla Jovovich by Peter Lindberg, 1996; Catherine, Princess of Wales, visits Blackpool Tower dressed in a green SportMax coat and a Manu Atelier box bag while greet ing members of the public on the Comedy Carpet; President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy watch the Americas Cup race aboard USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. off Newport, RI, 1962.

Clockwise from top left: Lunch Time on a yacht along the Côte d’Azur, 1955; Princess Anne sporting Matrix-style sunglasses at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2018; Models donning dresses and triangular capes by Pierre Cardin in Paris, 1962; Onlookers watch Queen Elizabeth driving herself with her children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, in Windsor, 1957; Naomi Campbell walking in Chanel’s Fall 1994 Ready-to-Wear Collection; Anna Murdoch Mann and Rupert Murdoch (his second marriage of four, her first of three), London, 1969; Steve McQueen seated outside of Hollywood Studios in his 1957 Jaguar XKSS, painted in British racing green (McQueen called it the Green Rat). Opposite page, clockwise from above: Queen Letizia of Spain alongside Juliana Awada, First Lady of Argentina, in 2017; Countess Jan Bonde in the Palace Hotel sleigh on Lake St. Moritz, Switzerland, 1983; Edie Sedgwick, 1967; Brigitte Bardot with her dogs, driving a Mini Moke in France, 1980; Thirteen year-old Princess Yvonne Sayn-Wittgenstein-Sayn takes a swig from a bottle while her brother Alexander, just twelve, puffs on half-smoked cigarette. Taken by their mother aboard the yacht Bartholomé off Majorca, 1955. STYLE

SUMMERFEST AFTER DARK IN SOUTHAMPTON

FINAL DAYS

FROM HER last official photograph, where she’s seen asking the spanking new Prime Minister (QEII’s 15th) to form a government, to the near primal breaking of The Lord Chamberlain’s Wand of Office, the final days of Elizabeth Regina II have cast a sobering yet sentimental humour around the globe ... indeed around her literal orb. Quest has reprised below a few of the thoughtful reflections from responsible media outlets across that orb.

“Most notable is this instant outpouring of media praise for Queen Elizabeth, amid a contemporary culture that elevates daily, even hourly, a value system of self-aggrandizement and artificiality”. Daniel Henninger; The Wall Street Journal

“In her last years, especially, her face expressed a determina tion to continue, simply because she had promised before God

never to do otherwise”. The Economist

“(Her) traits made her the rarest of things in modernity: a widely beloved national figure who was respected around the world”. New York Times

“Elizabeth was what T.S. Eliot, who took British citizen ship just after her first birthday, called ‘the still point in the turning world’”. Dominic Green; The Wall Street Journal

“She was the Mother figure for all of us. Her presence was her power. There was nobody like her - no woman or man”. David Patrick Columbia; Quest Magazine

With great remorse we bid farewell: “The Queen is dead; long live The King”. ◆ Sorrowful Pub