Battle for Badminton millions as Marquess’s new love spells divorce

WITH glamorous clients including Kate Moss and Amal Clooney, make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury is undoubtedly at the top of her game. But now the 44-yearold, who has two young sons, claims that being devoted to work also makes her a better parent. ‘It’s always a juggle between work and motherhood, but I believe every woman can have it all,’ she tells me. ‘Work makes me a happier person and a better mother, because my children see me empowered and fulfilled.’ Balancing the two can, however, take its toll. ‘I try to get eight hours’ sleep, but it’s often six, or five.’ Good thing she knows how to hide those pesky eye bags.

THE high-spirited Marquess of Worcester, heir to the Duke of Beaufort and his £315million fortune, is no stranger to ruffling society’s feathers, thanks to his penchant for glamorous parties and a career as a rock musician.

Now, however, he’s about to shake the aristocratic world for a very different reason.

I can disclose that Harry Worcester, known as Bunter to his friends, has triggered what is set to be one of the British gentry’s most costly divorces by ending his near 30-year marriage to Tracy Ward, granddaughter of the 3rd Earl of Dudley and the mother of his three children.

The split between the two dynasties is expected to be fraught with complications given that Bunter, 64, will inherit his 88year-old father’s glorious Badminton estate in Gloucestershire, which at 52,000 acres is one of the biggest in England.

Former actress-turned-environmental activist Tracy, 57, has openly relied on being married to old money to fund her passion for campaigning, which has included making a film about the impact of industrialised pig farming in Britain.

News of their divorce comes at the same time that Bunter, who was last year listed by society bible Tatler as one of Britain’s top ‘single and hot Marquesses’, now reveals he’s fallen in love with British journalist Georgia Powell, 47, who is related to former Prime Minster David Cameron through a mutual cousin.

‘I’m nearly divorced now, yes,’ Bunter told me at a book launch party in London, where he proudly showed off his new leading lady.

‘I’ve got a new girlfriend called Georgia Powell, she writes obituaries,’ he added, explaining they met last year when ‘she just thought she’d better do some research on me — just in case.’

Tracy, with whom Bunter has three grown-up children, Robert, 27, Bella, 25, and Jordan, 22, is a colourful figure in her own right having left behind a glamorous career in modelling and acting, during which time she appeared in the Eighties detective series C.A.T.S. Eyes, in order to focus on her environmental activism. Her sister, Rachel Ward, is an award-winning actress and starred in Dynasty and the hit TV series The Thorn Birds.

Sadly, Tracy often failed to hide her discontent with life after marrying Bunter in 1987, and was often referred to as the ‘reluctant marchioness’ for putting on hold her activism to be a mother and wife. ‘To be honest, I much more enjoy working with people and for people,’ Tracy said shortly before they separated three years ago, admitting that Bunter was ‘not interested’ in her work.

Bunter’s new girlfriend seems well placed to offer him advice on divorce proceedings. She is, herself, a divorcee, having separated from artist Toby Coke, with whom she has two children, Harry, 19, and Hope, 17. ‘We got divorced when I was 40 and we married when I was in my late 20s, so I did my time,’ she told me.

This will not be the first divorce to shake the Beaufort household, as Bunter’s younger brother Lord Edward Somerset, 58, split from Caroline after being jailed in 2013 for beating her during their 22 years of marriage.