Olympian’s wife drafted in to boost Kate's charity
FACING criticism after it was revealed she carried out half as many days of public engagements in 2016 as 95-year-old Prince Philip, the Duchess of Cambridge may have found the perfect woman to instil a work ethic at Kensington Palace.
I can disclose that Demetra Pinsent, the wife of Olympic rowing hero Sir Matthew Pinsent, has been appointed as director of the charity run by Kate, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Glamorous Demetra, 42, (pictured right with husband Matthew) is chief executive of make-up company Charlotte Tilbury Beauty and has managed to pursue her business career while raising three young children.
‘It’s a very significant appointment,’ a courtier tells me.
‘Lady Pinsent has proved her credentials as a businesswoman, and it’s hoped that she will be able to lend her expertise to The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.’
Canada-born Demetra, whose ancestry is Greek, met Pinsent at Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, following in the footsteps of former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
While Pinsent went on to win four consecutive Olympic gold medals, as
well as ten world championship golds, during his distinguished career, Demetra completed her studies at America’s prestigious Harvard University. They married in 2002.
Demetra became a partner at leading management consultant McKinsey & Co, before leaving in 2012 to help transform celebrity make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury into a global brand.
‘I knew I had met my perfect match in Charlotte,’ Demetra has said. ‘She is as ambitious, determined and opinionated as I am, yet complementary to me in the way she thinks about opportunities.’ Demetra’s Eton-educated husband will be pleased by her appointment — he’s a devoted monarchist who rowed on the barge Gloriana on the Thames as part of the royal pageant for the Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee. Meanwhile, her employer Tilbury may see the new post as an opportunity. ‘I haven’t worked with the Queen of England yet,’ said the makeupartist this year, ‘but that is still an ambition!’ A Kensington Palace spokesman confirms that Lady Pinsent has become a director of the foundation.