Weinstein bash axed:
PRINCE HARRY’S old flame Antonia Packard and her sister Tessa have been forced to axe their annual high-society Valentine’s bash after taking the controversial decision to give it a Harvey Weinstein theme.
A dozen high-society names had agreed to attend, dressed as disgraced Hollywood heavyweights Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, and James Franco – who disputes sexual misconduct claims.
The guests were tempted by invitations mocked up to look like Hollywood awards ceremony tickets.
They read: ‘The Weinstein Company in association with the Old Vic invite you to the Cupid Awards. Carriages: When Harvey says so. Dress Code: #metoo’ (referring to the social media campaign highlighting sexual exploitation).
The bring-a-bottle party was to be held at Antonia’s smart home in Belgravia.
The invitations went out to a select group of trusted friends – but after some circulated the party plan outside of the group a backlash caused the whole affair to be called off.
Recipients included Robert Sheffield, half-brother of Samantha Cameron, who I am told did not reply.
A source close to the sisters, who regularly appear in the pages of Tatler and Vogue, tells me: ‘As feminists and supporters of the Me Too movement they organised this event with the best of intentions, to send up and further undermine the likes of Weinstein and send a message of female empowerment. They realised it could be misconstrued so decided to call the whole thing off. They admit it was badly misjudged and are sorry if any offence was caused.’
The half-Brazilian sisters hold a party every year to bemoan the miseries of Valentine’s Day for singletons. Their friends include Princess Eugenie, who they know from their days at Marlborough College.
Antonia, 31, and Harry are said to have had a fling in 2015.