Prince William calls in Ralph Lauren to turn castle into Wonderland
THERE have been jousts, seiges, royal audiences and banquets. But never before has 900-yearold Windsor Castle thrown open its gates to the million-watt razzmatazz of the world’s most successful fashion mogul. On Tuesday night, the castle’s medieval halls and Georgian salons will be crammed with an astonishing gathering of rock stars, royalty, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy philanthropists, invited to a star-studded party by American designer Ralph Lauren.
The event, hosted by Prince William and sponsored by the Bronx-born fashion tycoon, aims to raise awareness of London’s Royal Marsden cancer hospital – one of Princess Diana’s favourite charities.
Guests will include supermodels Kate Moss and Cara Delevigne, Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, Harry Potter heroine Emma Watson and Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch. It is expected that most of them will turn out in Ralph Lauren creations.
Notable by her absence will be the Duchess of Cambridge, who reluctantly turned down an invitation to attend.
She is a fan of Ralph Lauren, and has been seen in his blazers and dresses, but sources say she and William want to keep their charitable projects separate in order to spread their influence as wide as possible.
William became president of the Royal Marsden Hospital in 2007 and is keen to enhance his philanthropic profile.
His backing for Mr Lauren’s connection with the Marsden will be seen as picking up the baton from his mother – who was also the hospital’s president.
William is said to have personally asked the queen for permission to host the gala dinner, and is expected to give a brief welcome and address in which he will thank Mr Lauren for extending his philanthropic work to the Marsden.
Mr Lauren is one of the world’s richest men. His company is the ‘official outfitter’ for the Wimbledon tennis championships and he is now strengthening his personal association with Prince William and the hospital.
A source close to Mr Lauren said: ‘This is a big deal for him. To be teaming up with British royalty puts the brand and the Lauren family on a different footing.
‘It’s a very important night. Mr Lauren has not met the Duke (Prince William) before and he is over the moon about it, and very excited.’
The 74-year-old fashion designer, who is also a global supporter of breast cancer research, rarely leaves America, but intends to fly to the UK with his wife Ricky, and their three children, Dylan, Andrew and David.
David is married to Lauren Bush, granddaughter of ex US president George Bush Snr.
An official spokesman for Ralph Lauren said: ‘He has spent a long time looking for the right cancer-related philanthropic mission. This is an opportunity to develop that work. He had a special relationship with Diana.’
After a three-course dinner, singer Emeli Sande will serenade guests for the finale of the evening.
Guests have been warned that security will be tight and have been asked to leave mobile phones and cameras at home.