It’s most people’s secret dream to sneak inside the National Gallery at night and have a private audience with the art — that alone would be an overload of exclusivity. But add to that: a seemingly endless supply of Nyetimber English sparkling wine, an intimate performance from British singer-songwriter Celeste and a handful of classy co-conspirators, and you have yourself the National Gallery summer party, or Nat Gala, as they’re now playfully calling it.
The best of Britain were in attendance, with the likes of Maya Jama, Trinny Woodall, Damian Hurley and Lady Amelia Windsor in attendance. Actress and human rights activist Bianca Jagger was also in attendance, and was seen tapping her cane in appreciation as Celeste performed.
Another belle of the ball was actress Felicity Jones, who arrived resplendent in her ivory halterneck dress with distressed ruffles and black embellishments. “The dress is Erdem, who is such a phenomenal designer,” Jones revealed to the Evening Standard, saying she was moved to attend the event because she was “intrigued”.
“I was really intrigued by the event because it’s only happened for a year, and I love the idea of being at the National Gallery at night, I thought ‘what a special event!’”
On drawing comparisons to the Cambridge University May ball in The Theory of Everything, in which Jones starred, she said: “[There’s] not as much 20-something angst. Hopefully there’s less of that now!” Jones then expressed her happiness at Cambridge’s new gender neutral ball dress codes, where students can wear dresses or suits irrespective of their gender, saying: “I think that’s wonderful. Fantastic. I love wearing proper, masculine tailoring. So I am very happy with that decision.”
The event was also quite a royal sister act, with Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie both in attendance, along with Princess Diana’s twin nieces, Amelia and Eliza Spencer, and Lady Violet and Lady Alice Manners. Model and granddaughter of Prince Edward, Lady Amelia Windsor, was present too, looking effortlessly chic in a little black dress by Burberry.
Burberry were an official sponsor of the event, which is only in its second year, as was Nyetimber English sparkling, which was flowing throughout the night as modern interpretations of Debussy echoed through the halls.
Also joining Lady Amelia in all-black look was Elizabeth Hurley’s son, model, writer and budding director Damian Hurley, who arrived wearing a black suit with a plunging matching shirt beneath, paired with a silver medallion and silver belt by Hermes.
Hurley was later photographed alongside fellow model Kristen McMenamy, who wore an Alice in Wonderland-esque tulle polkadot gown and was spotted sitting on the steps of the National Gallery at the end of the night as she waited for her cab home.
The word iconic gets thrown around a lot, but here it’s well deserved. Watch out Met Gala, because the Brits might just be coming to take your throne.
