Daphne’s celebrates 60 years with star-studded event

Chelsea’s iconic restaurant, Daphne’s, celebrated its 60th anniversary this week, continuing its legacy as a favourite among celebrities, including Princess Diana. The event hosted notable guests like Charles Delevingne, father of Cara, Poppy, and Chloe. However, former England striker Jermain Defoe, 41, made a significant impact with his comments on societal tendencies to judge public figures harshly.

Defoe criticised the current trend of “cancelling” individuals for their mistakes, expressing particular dismay over the treatment of Jermaine Jenas. Jenas, a former England star and presenter of The One Show, was dismissed by the BBC in August over allegations of sending inappropriate messages to a female colleague. Defoe highlighted what he perceives as double standards influenced by racial bias, noting that opportunities seem to vanish for black individuals who err, unlike others who manage to recover.

While Defoe refrained from naming those repeatedly given chances, the situation of Huw Edwards was mentioned. The BBC received complaints about Edwards in May 2023, but he resigned only in April this year, despite his arrest for possessing severe indecent images of children being known.

Emma Watson, best known for her role as Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films, has become Britain’s richest student. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in creative writing at Oxford University, she reported a £1.9 million profit through her private company, Hestia Hebe, and accumulated earnings of £23.9 million in 2023. Last year, her City investments saw a £2.6 million increase in valuation.

The 60th anniversary party at Daphne’s was poignant for novelist Santa Montefiore. Attending with her daughter Lily, she reminisced about visiting with her late sister, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson, who passed away in 2017. Recalling the days when Tara’s partner, Mogens Tholstrup, owned the restaurant, Santa shared, “I have so many memories. I come here and think, ‘Oh, weren’t those days fabulous?'”

Anna Ermakova, daughter of Boris Becker, appeared contemplative while enjoying the Mediterranean sun after missing her father’s wedding. The ceremony in Portofino, Italy, saw Becker’s sons Noah and Elias attend, but both Anna, 24, and his youngest child, Amadeus, 14, were absent. Becker, 56, married political risk consultant Lilian De Carvalho Monteiro, 33.

Chiltern Firehouse, known for hosting Princess Beatrice’s engagement party and being the meeting place of artist Damien Hirst and his girlfriend Sophie Cannell, is set to celebrate its tenth anniversary with a grand masked ball. Owner Andre Balazs described the event as a “black and white affair,” inspired by Truman Capote’s 1966 Black and White Ball in New York. The exclusive guest list allows no ‘plus-ones’, and Prince Harry, in London this week, was notably not invited. A source remarked, “He’s not one of our crowd.”

Melanie Dawes, the Ofcom boss, is being considered for the role of Cabinet Secretary. Dawes, from Birtsmorton Court in Worcestershire, would bring a touch of aristocracy to Sir Keir Starmer’s Downing Street. The historic home features a moat, possibly a good defence against any political challenges from Sir Keir’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, with whom the new Cabinet Secretary will need to establish a working relationship.