To the US Ambassador’s residence then, where my presence has been requested at a reception celebrating ‘fabulous female leaders’. My thoughts turn to what to wear — the dress code says ‘business’, but Americans and Brits famously have wildly different approaches to formal wear. Some frantic googling ensues (‘has bad outfit ever sparked diplomatic incident?’) — but remembering that events like these are about fostering cross-cultural relationships, about soft power (I’m warming to this whole diplomat thing), I borrow Michelle Obama’s ‘fashion diplomacy’ playbook. I settle on an ensemble by The Row — a US brand — thereby doing my bit for Anglo-American relations.
At Winfield House, the Ambassador’s residence in Regent’s Park, I arrive on a May evening to a gathering of dignitaries, charity execs and a smattering of artists. Given the setting, I can’t help but wonder: what is the current state of the UK-US ‘special relationship’ (probably not a question Carrie Bradshaw ever contemplated)? President Joe Biden has recently been accused of ‘hating the UK’, something his aides deny — although he didn’t attend King Charles’ Coronation, a choice that prompted grumbling from certain establishment figures.
