(Very) modern manners

PRINCESS DIANA’S bridesmaid india Hicks is used to being invited to the most fashionable parties. a member of her family was, however, shocked to discover she’d been given third- class treatment by a host. ‘a cousin of mine received one of those lovely cream envelopes … inviting her to a glamorous, black-tie event,’ india, 54, says. ‘“How exciting”, she thought to herself, leaving it on the kitchen table. That evening one of her children picked it up and read it.

‘ “Mum?” he said, “Why does it say c-list by your name?” They laughed and laughed together. some hopeless person in an office somewhere had clearly forgotten to rub out those ridiculous words.’