Tuesday 13 September 2022 12:34 AM EDEN CONFIDENTIAL: Prince of Wales's friend will no longer walk backwards for ... trends now
The new Prince of Wales will play a key role during his father’s reign, but one of his close friends will not be by his side.
I learn that the Marquess of Cholmondeley has lost his job as Lord Great Chamberlain.
The Marquess, also known as film-maker David Rocksavage, had the role, in which he had to walk backwards in front of the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament, as long as the Queen was on the throne.
Now we have King Charles III, his job will be taken by the 7th Lord Carrington, whose late father served as Foreign Secretary under Margaret Thatcher.
Yesterday, Rupert Carington, 73, carried out his first duties as he greeted the King and Queen Consort Camilla when they arrived at Westminster Hall for His Majesty’s speech to Parliament.
He will play an important part in the Coronation, which is likely to take place next year.
The Prince and Princess of Wales pictured greeting David Cholmondeley, Marquess of Cholmondeley and Rose Cholmondeley, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley as they attend a gala dinner in June 2016
William and Kate (centre foreground) walk alongside the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley at the dinner in King's Lynn
‘David always knew he would not have the job for life,’ one of his friends tells me.
‘It was an honour to carry it out for as long as he did.’ David and his wife, the former model Rose Hanbury, now Marchioness of Cholmondeley, live near Anmer Hall, Prince William and Catherine’s country home in Sandringham, Norfolk.
Rose, 38, married Rocksavage in 2009. He is 24 years her senior and friends had almost given up hope that he would ever marry.
Rose soon produced an heir and spare, in the form of twins Alexander and Oliver. Like Catherine, she has since given birth to a third child, Iris.
While Kate and William stay at ten-bedroom Anmer Hall, which was previously rented out to a kitchen timber boss, the Marquess and Marchioness live in splendour two miles away at Houghton Hall, one of the country’s finest Palladian houses, surrounded by 1,000 acres of parkland.
Royalist Geri calls off 50th birthday bash
It’s the big social dilemma of the week: do you go ahead with a party during National Mourning?
I hear Spice Girl Geri Horner has decided to cancel her lavish 50th birthday party this weekend.
Geri Horner (pictured with husband Christian) has decided to cancel her lavish 50th birthday party this weekend
Ginger Spice is an ardent royalist whose tribute to the Queen was broadcast as part of the Party At The Palace during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Her bash at the Oxfordshire home she shares with
