London’s high society social scene is in full swing.
The season’s calendar kicked off with the Chelsea Flower Show and RA Summer Exhibition preview — where eavesdroppers will have caught wind of lads, lords and ladies asking: “Who’s hosting you at Ascot? Did you hear the National Portrait Gallery is doing a red carpet? Have Ralph Lauren emailed you about Wimbledon yet?”
Here’s your cheatsheet on the parties anyone who is anyone will be talking about this summer:
National Gallery Summer Party
Date: June 15
Crowd: Minor royals and the best of Gen-Z
Tips: After its lavish debut last year, 2023 marks the final free year for guests, before phase two of operation “make a London Met Gala”. Someone’s gotta do it. The gallery has Burberry in tow, with goals of enticing the sparkliest of Gen-Z (read: Iris Law, Rocco Ritchie and Princess Olympia of Greece). Sienna Miller shone brightest last year alongside boyfriend Oli Green, whose art-world mother Alison supports the gallery. Miller declined to comment at the time, saying: “I’m not here for me, I’m here for Oli.” The freshest face tonight will be Emilia Boateng, the model daughter of Ozwald Boateng, the first black tailor to open in Savile Row. “I’m so excited to go to an event in such a historical building,” she says. She made waves when she demanded her December Tatler cover shoot with footballer Mason Mount was taken by a black photographer. “It was their first black photographer, I’m proud of making that shift,” she says. It’s in the DNA.
Royal Ascot
Dates: June 20-24
Crowd: Part noble, part naff
Tips: The 2023 meet will be defined by a race not of horses, but of men. It is King Charles’ first Royal Ascot as monarch, and jockey Frankie Dettori’s last, as he hopes to top up his 77 wins. “I’m sure the tears will flow at some point,” he says. “I feel incredibly excited to be at my spiritual home.” Whether Charles has the stamina of his mother, who would attend every royal meeting, remains to be seen. Francesca Cumani, who will lead ITV’s racing coverage, confirms the royal procession down the Straight Mile will continue as usual. She has a sartorial racecard, too: “Don’t wear anything too short or too strappy — I have an emphasis on elegance and looking good without trying to do too much.” Ellie Goulding is set to attend, while Maya Jama — a star of last year’s meet — tells me she will try to make it down. If you do go, just don’t mention Animal Rising. To anyone.
National Portrait Gallery Summer Party
Date: June 20
Crowd: Strictly A-list
Tips: Forget Beyoncé box seats; the city’s culturati have been counting down the days for the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery, following its three-year, £35.5million refurb. That calls for a Renaissance-scale red carpet. Paul McCartney, whose photographs will be an opening exhibition, is expected. As is the Princess of Wales, patron of the museum. And with royals come rumours. It has been revealed the first double portrait of Prince William and Harry, painted by Nicky Phillips in 2010, will not be re-hung. At the time, the artist said she intended to “emphasise their brotherly relationship” in the piece. Phillips doesn’t seem peeved, writing on Instagram: “I completely understand the Director’s decision…The NPG is my favourite building.” Not all that bewildering given her press manager is Sam Parker Bowles, cousin of Tom Parker Bowles, the Queen’s son.
V&A Summer Party
Date: June 21
Crowd: Dames and divas
Tips: This annual gathering in the museum’s John Madejski Garden is receiving a shot of sequins thanks to the opening exhibition it’s tied to: DIVA. Thankfully, diva behaviour is de rigueur. Last year’s event saw Lady Victoria Hervey run the length of The Gilbert Bayes Sculpture Gallery like Jessica Ennis, both on the phone and in stilettos (kudos, Vicky), while Eighties club promoter Philip Sallon dived into the pond. Honorary attendee this year is designer Bob Mackie; the man behind Cher and Tina Turner’s best looks, who is flying in from California. Sadly, he will be without his top two performers. “They just had the best time together,” he says of the pair. “Even while Tina was sick in the last year or so, Cher visited her in Switzerland many times, just to see her and be her friend.” That’s not to say he won’t be looking for Oscar-worthy looks on the night: “Dress up and look festive. Don’t hold back, whatever you do.”
Serpentine Summer Party
Date: June 27
Crowd: Art overlords and fashion’s vanguard
Tips: Head to the Serpentine Bridge in two Tuesdays’ time to feast your eyes on haute couture gowns, smart newspaper critics, and art-world courtiers as they waltz into the Hyde Park gallery. “It’s our biggest event — a bit smaller than it was pre-Covid — but such an important moment: artists, fashion designers, their muses, tech communities, business people, it’s an incredible mix,” says Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine. Works on display will celebrate a new generation of Brazilian artists. The 2022 event saw young designers Harris Reed, Chet Lo and 16Arlington’s Marco Capaldo make a splash.
Henley Royal Regatta
Dates: June 27-July 2
Crowd: Buff boys and posh fangirls
Tips: First, watch the races. Then, get sculling. There’s the Stewards’ Enclosure for nepo babies of the Regatta universe, otherwise find a plethora of party tents packed with rowers already booted from the competition, sinking their sorrows in boating blazers . This year, it’s getting the supermodel treatment. “We are going to be resident at Pergola On The River throughout the Regatta,” says Poppy Delevingne, who owns the Prosecco brand Della Vite with sisters Cara and Chloe. “It’s the best kind of British summer event: a perfect combination of serious international competition mixed with sun soaked frivolity.” Delevingne offers seasoned advice: “Dress chic but for the heat. Reformation or Alessandra Rich are my go-to favourites. Then accessorise with a fan; old school vibes.” And to stop yourself stumbling into a strapping lad’s oar? “Drink water between endless glasses of Prosecco.”
Wimbledon
Dates: July 3-16
Crowd: Noughties It-girls and the Ralph Lauren set
Tips: Every Londoner with an Instagram blue tick pines for a spot in a hosted box. Ralph Lauren, Evian, Jaguar, Lanson: they ain’t picky, as long as they get a comped Pimms. Except David Beckham, that is, who is game, set, Ralph. “If I am free for Wimbledon, then I am going,” he says. “I love it because it’s elegant, classic — always a good day out.” As for dressing the part? “I always go Ralph. You can’t go wrong.” Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas serving on-court drama is as predictable as Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung sharing snogs with special someones in the stalls. But a peck for the cameras has nothing on what the private school set, who flock down to work as groundsmen and ticket people, get up to after hours. You’ll find them at the local Spoons and Dog & Fox pub before they head on to all-nighters. Says one hospitality box host who worked last year: “Honestly, it’s sex, drugs and strawberries and cream.”
Goodwood Festival of Speed
Date: July 13-16
Crowd: Cartier ambassadors and motor-heads
Tips: Social climbing is, for once, out of the window, as aristos, actors and the public park up to see motors fire up Goodwood House’s mighty hill. “This year will celebrate 75 years of motorsport at Goodwood, since my great-grandfather opened the track,” says the heir to the estate, Charlie Gordon-Lennox. “When the sun is shining, and you’re watching some of the most iconic machines in the world take on the hillclimb, there’s really no place better.” Since 1995, Cartier has presented its Style et Luxe static car show too. Good for glossy vehicle fanatics and celeb-spotters alike: actor Paul Mescal and rapper Tinie Tempah attended last year and could be revved up for a return.
Wilderness Festival
Date: August 3-6
Crowd: Yummy mummies and A-list actresses
Tips: This is one divided jungle; where Oxfordshire’s nuclear families meet Jodie Comer, Florence Pugh and James Norton. There are the acts — including The Chemical Brothers and Christine And The Queens this year — but also five-course banquets, 10am runs, and woo-woo classes to “crawl down into your primal bodies”. London’s cool kids still make it work. “I have been going every year for some time now,” says Gene Gallagher, son of Liam. “I particularly love The Valley,” he says of the forest stage where DJs like Honey Dijon play until the early hours. After that, it’s up to you to get friendly with one of the Howdens, the family who own the Cornbury Park Estate that hosts the festival. They are said to throw legendary after-parties at home. As for Gallagher’s top festival tips: 1) bring toilet roll 2) bring your mates 3) bring a sleeping bag, but not necessarily a tent.
