Lady Violet minds her manners with painted pal

LIFE is one big kaleidoscope for Lady Violet Manners, 26, whose friends come in all colours, shapes and sizes.

The Duke of Rutland’s daughter cosied up to a brightly painted elephant at British Polo Day this week, one of the highlights of the social calendar in the Indian city of Jodhpur.

The three-day festival was

held at Umaid Bhawan Palace, raising money for charity Head Injuries Through Sport. Other guests included Lady Violet’s mother, the Duchess of Rutland, and the Duke of Argyll.

Lady Violet’s whistle-stop tour also included a spot of sightseeing with a trip to the Balsamand Lake, which she described as ‘magical’.

THE late great botanist David Bellamy started out in life with a most surprising aspiration. I can reveal he once told author Dominic Shelmerdine: ‘My first and burning ambition was to dance in the ballet. By 14 years of age I was heading on the large size — 6 ft plus and 14 st. I developed my real talent remembering the Latin name of plants.’ They don’t make them like that any more.