A solemn memorial service was held at St James’s, Piccadilly for Julia Rausing, the second wife of billionaire philanthropist Hans Rausing, who passed away in April at the age of 63 after an extended struggle with cancer. Julia’s death was an enormous loss for her friends and family, who praised her caring relationship with Hans. Among the mourners present were notable figures such as Andrew Parker Bowles, the Queen’s first husband, and television personality Trinny Woodall.
Hans Rausing suffered another loss earlier when his first wife, Eva, passed away in 2012 due to drug abuse. One of Julia’s close friends, Daphne Guinness, expressed her grief by remarking on the harshness of life, but also celebrated the loving marriage Julia had with Hans.
Further adding to the royal milieu, the Prince and Princess of Wales were symbolized by Catherine’s former private secretary Rebecca Priestley. Daphne Guinness was among those attending the memorial service to mourn the untimely demise of her friend, Julia Rausing.
In other royal news, Queen Elizabeth’s personal assistant Angela Kelly, who had previously been promised a lifelong home, exited her Windsor residence following Prince Charles’s succession to the throne. Kelly, known to be hot-tempered, moved to the Peak District. However, King and Queen Camilla have since found a Windsor abode for Leslie Chappell, one of their favored servants and the Queen Mother’s erstwhile Page.
Chappell, known for being the conduit of communication between Charles and his ailing grandmother, was granted the residence as a benevolent gesture. Following the Queen Mother’s demise, Chappell assumed the role of house manager at Clarence House, the London abode of Charles and Camilla.
In more royal rumblings, an original silkscreened portrait of Charles by Andy Warhol went on auction and surprisingly failed to sell. Warhol’s other creation, a portrait of Princess Diana, however, fetched £1.3 million at the same auction. Despite a slight setback at the auction, the artwork attracted significant post-sale interest and was swiftly sold to a private buyer.
Elsewhere in star-studded news, French entrepreneur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, famously known as the ex-husband of Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, has found new love with Monika Abrasheva, an employee at one of his start-up companies. The pair were seen together at a London party.
In a tale of post-breakup endeavors, pop singer Ellie Goulding engaged with her Costa Rican surfing mentor following the end of her marriage to art dealer Caspar Jopling. Meanwhile, Jopling has been devoting his time to participating in strenuous athletic competitions, such as the Ironman challenge in Barcelona.
In more regal news, Prince Harry and Meghan might find interest in a proposal to install a ‘teeny pool’ at Soho Farmhouse, their previous preferred Oxfordshire getaway, intended for the recreation of younger guests. The Beatles continue their financial success, with their company, Apple Corps, reporting a turnover to January of an impressive £28.7 million.
Finally, Meghan’s spiritual advisor, Deepak Chopra, is planning a musical project with popular DJ Pete Tong. The project will touch on the healing potential of sounds, promising a harmonious blend of music and wellness.
