Aristocrat fined for speeding at blackspot

AN ARISTOCRAT who organises weddings and parties for the rich and famous has been caught speeding at an accident blackspot in the Highlands.

Party organiser Peregrine Ar mstrong- Jones was clocked speeding just weeks after arranging the wedding of Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall in Edinburgh.

The wealthy fixer, who is half-brother to the Earl of Snowdon, was caught by a roadside speed camera on the A9 near Blair Atholl in Highland Perthshire.

Armstrong-jones was clocked doing 85mph on the single carriageway road.

In a letter to Perth’s Justice of the Peace court, the 51-year-old events organiser pled guilty to speeding on a stretch of road with a 60mph limit on October 5.

Fiscal depute Robbie Brown told the court: “There is a letter pleading guilty and he has sent in both parts of his driving licence. This was a speed camera case so there is little else I can say other than that it happened shortly before midday.”

His address was given as Cheyne Place in Knightsbridge.

Justice of the peace Eve Forrest fined him £350 and allowed two months to pay the fine, which was reduced from £500 because he immediately pled guilty.

The spot on the Perth to Inverness A9 where Armstrong-jones was caught has seen several fatal crashes in recent years including a triple tragedy in October 2010.

Armstrong-jones set up prestige event firm Bentleys Entertainments Ltd in 1984 and the company has made good mileage out of his royal connections.

He has masterminded numerous lavish events for members of the Royal Family, including birthday balls for the Princess Royal’s 40th and 60th, Peter Phillips’ 18th and Zara Phillips’ 21st at Windsor Castle.

Mar ried ArmstrongJones also organised David Beckham’s 30th birthday party in Madrid, and the Chancellor’s Christmas Party at 11 Downing Street in 2006.

He was entrusted to oversee the Caribbean island Mustique’s Millennium celebrations and regularly organises the White Tie and Tiara Ball for The Elton John Aids Foundation.

He is the owner of a classic Ferrari 400i, but at the time of his speeding offence he was driving a more modest Peugeot 308.