By RICHARD KAY
Lunch date: Prince William's fiancée went for lunch with the woman who will soon be her step mother-in law, the Duchess of Cornwall, for a primer on marrying into the Royal Family yesterday
Leaning in close to each other across the lunch table, the two women were deep in conversation.
Then the word ‘advice’ rang out across the busy restaurant.
The listener was Kate Middleton and the woman offering words of wisdom was none other than the former Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles.
This was the extraordinary scene yesterday as Prince William’s fiancée went for lunch with the woman who will soon be her step mother-in law, the Duchess of Cornwall, for a primer on marrying into the Royal Family.
Camilla, of course, knows all about advising princesses in waiting. Thirty years ago she sat down with a teenage Lady Diana Spencer in the run-up to her marriage to the Prince of Wales.
These days Camilla is part of the family and a vital sounding board for 29-year-old Kate as she counts down the days to her own wedding at Westminster Abbey in April.
And it was the wedding that was very much on their minds as they were joined by Kate’s sister Pippa and Camilla’s daughter Laura Lopez in Koffman’s, the new restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge, opened last year by three Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffman.
Future queens: Camilla and Kate were joined by Kate's sister Pippa and Camilla's daughter Laura Lopez in Koffman's, the new restaurant at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge
That they chose to meet in such a high-profile venue in one of London’s top hotels - in clear view of other diners - was intriguing when they could have dined discreetly at Clarence House or any other royal address.
Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring sparkled on Kate’s finger as excited chatter about the wedding filled the air.
A fellow diner, sitting just two tables away, tells me: ‘All four women were talking away like mad and none of the waiters could get a word in edgeways to serve their lunch. Kate looked fantastic in a very short black skirt, black opaque tights, a short jacket and boots.
‘I heard Camilla saying... “if I can give you one bit of advice...” Kate was really enjoying the moment.
‘I did hear talk of trumpets and someone said “we can’t have trumpets, the ceiling is too high’’, which may have been a reference to Westminster Abbey.’
Me and my shadow: Kate and her police protection officer. Camilla and Kate's security sat at an adjacent table while the ladies talked about the much anticipated wedding
The duchess, in a purple tweed suit and with a glass of red wine in hand, was in charge during the three-hour lunch.
In fact, I understand that Camilla, who has dined at Koffman’s before, made the reservation.
Her food writer son, Tom Parker Bowles, is a friend of the master chef.
‘They were all getting on very well and they clearly hadn’t asked for an out-of-the-way table and nor did they attempt to lower their voices,’ the diner said.
‘It was high spirits all round. Kate and Pippa were sitting on banquettes with their backs to the wall opposite Camilla and Laura.
Effortless glamour: Kate is mastering the art of simple chic. Her style is already being copied all over the world with shoppers clamouring to get their hands on copycat dresses
‘There was one moment which was clearly meant to be amusing when Kate said “what happens if William doesn’t turn up?’’ Someone else then asked “is it going to be a sit-down lunch?’’
‘They followed that with talk of menus. I heard chipolatas, sausages on sticks and mini pizzas, but I don’t know whether it was ironic or not.’
The lunch party was completed by Kate and Camilla’s police protection officers.
The two gun-carrying women bodyguards sat at an adjoining table as the four women gossiped away.
Kate and William are still fine-tuning the wedding guest list.
More than 1,800 invitations are due to be sent out later this month.
source: dailymail
Blog Archive
-
▼
2011
(2637)
-
▼
February
(411)
- And the award for the most costume changes goes to...
- Now that's hustling! Hustle star Kelly Adams bucks...
- That must be worth a Blue Peter badge! Presenter H...
- She's off: Glynis Barber announces she's leaving E...
- Single Scarlett Johansson takes handsome agent alo...
- Oscars 2011: Nicole Kidman stands by John Galliano...
- Oh, mother! Madonna embarrasses Lourdes as she bra...
- That's awkward! Kate Garraway questions Jamie Oliv...
- Isn't it a bit cold for bare legs? Suri Cruise bra...
- 'Clumsy and downright painful': Anne Hathaway and ...
- Love's young dream: Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez...
- The winners for the shortest frocks are...Taylor S...
- Oscars 2011: Natalie Portman triumphs as best actr...
- Oscars 2011 (Part 3)
- Oscars 2011 (Part 2)
- Oscars 2011 (Part 1)
- Oscars 2011: Helena Bonham Carter's brave face as ...
- Oscars 2011: Hollywood stars arrive on red carpet ...
- Kim Kardashian | Marchesa gown
- It's Anna touchy-Friely: Actress and Rhys Ifans ge...
- That's torn it! Jessie J customises Disney T-shirt...
- Road royalty: Queen of the Jungle Stacey Solomon p...
- It really IS back on...and just in time for the ro...
- EastEnders actor Neil McDermott 'cheats on wife' w...
- Has he scored again? Cristiano Ronaldo 'set to bec...
- Penny Mathis Fashion Shoot 2011
- Chocolate Fashion 2011
- Amazing Copper Lingerie
- kim kardashian sexiest look
- Hilary Swank In Black
- Victoria Beckham: Fashion Designer
- Lisa Rinna’s :wadrobe malfunction
- Teri Hatcher:Games
- Time to hang up the Manolos? Sex and the City 2 st...
- And the grab and grope award goes to: Rosario Daws...
- Double take! Julieanne Moore and her little lookal...
- Skinny jeans and towering heels: Hard to believe P...
- Wedding dilemma: Best Actress Oscar Favourite Nata...
- Snubbed Stateside: Cheryl Cole misses out on judgi...
- The Xplosive Factor: Fiery Naomi lined up to repla...
- Myleene Klass shames driver on Twitter after he pu...
- 'Don't touch my hair!' Justin Bieber turns into Ju...
- Beckhams 'to send Brooklyn to British private school'
- Rihanna Hairstyles for 2011
- Yes Lindsay, you CAN have those: Lohan picks up so...
- Pregnant Natalie Portman wins best actress at Spir...
- The cat that got the dream: Nicole Scherzinger say...
- Best Supporting Actress? Amy Adams fails to outshi...
- Zara Phillips cheers on fiancé Mike Tindall with h...
- Goody bags are so over: Now Oscar stars grab a who...
- Beckhams 'to send Brooklyn to British private school'
- Sir Elton John chooses Lady Gaga to be godmother t...
- Covered up catastrophe! Kim Kardashian's fashion d...
- Kate Middleton's sister Pippa and Chelsey Davy amo...
- The 83rd annual Academy Awards
- Morning after the night before: Vanessa Hudgens go...
- They've done it! Comic Relief celebs including Kar...
- Now it's Papa holding the baby (till nanny takes o...
- Just married! Kelsey Grammer and wife No.4 Kayte W...
- Got something to hide, Katie? Ms Price sparks spec...
- David Beckham reveals chest tattoo of Jesus and an...
- Lindsay Lohan 2011
- Emma Watson launches her final collection for Peop...
- The Lady in Red: Kate Middleton is all smiles as s...
- Myleene Klass left 'mortified' as she is snapped w...
- Is Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to wed Jason Statham?...
- Did you catch the red-eye, Michael? Mr Douglas has...
- Lindsay Lohan heads off for lunch with the girls a...
- 'You've never seen a show like this in America': S...
- Bags of style: Katie Holmes leaves Milan Fashion w...
- Princess ahoy! The day Kate Middleton was given he...
- Princess Kate Middleton
- princess diana dress
- Jennifer Aniston’s Hair styles
- teri hatcher golden globes awards dress
- teri hatcher grammy awards best dress
- Weird Lady Gaga Armani gown: Grammy Style
- Penelope’s Post Baby
- Did Victoria Beckham switch flights because of tho...
- Prince William and Kate Middleton visit lifeboat s...
- Justin Bieber | Never Say Never
- Video: Oscar Hosts James Franco and Anne Hathaway ...
- Bottoms up: Lady Gaga gets cheeky as she greets he...
- Carrie Underwood makes big screen debut in inspira...
- Now he's hanging with the A-list: Simon Pegg joins...
- Katy Perry kicks off Milan Fashion Week with EIGHT...
- Pride of Wales: Catherine Zeta-Jones beams as Prin...
- 'She didn't want to look like a Real Housewife': J...
- Can she nail it? Fuller-faced Cheryl Cole flies to...
- 'I don't care that you're Lindsay Lohan': Judge te...
- Cameron Diaz gives a VERY raunchy lesson in how to...
- Justin Bieber lands gongs for Least Stylish and Wo...
- Beyonce the African queen: After comments about bl...
- Is fuller-faced Cheryl Cole carrying a little extr...
- An Academy Award-predicting possum? Cross-eyed Hei...
- Video Premiere: Linkin Park's 'Burning in the Skies'
- Sneak Peek to Michael Jackson's 'Hollywood Tonight...
- Emma Roberts Makes Out With James Franco's Brother...
- 'Glee' 2.15 Preview: 'Sexy' Gwyneth Paltrow Is Back
- New 'Sucker Punch' Trailer Is Heart Pumping
-
▼
February
(411)