Women should not scrimp on style when they’re working from home, according to ‘City Superwoman’ Dame Helena Morrissey.
‘When it comes to working from home I think it’s best to have some ground rules,’ says the financier mum-of-nine. ‘Number one, no wearing PJs. Two: take time to do your hair and make-up as usual.
‘Three: get some fresh air and exercise.
‘Number four: if you have to do video calls, make sure the background behind you isn’t distracting or unprofessional. I once made the mistake of having the ironing board in full view, groaning under mountains of ironing.’
Dame Helena Morrissey (pictured), 53, said women should not scrimp on style when they’re working from home and shared a picture of herself in one of her home outfits
The 53-year-old shared a picture of herself in one of her home outfits, looking in her view ‘polished and appropriate’, adding: ‘A structured jacket is too ‘fake news’ when people know you are at home.’
I have to concur . . .
Dahl’s grandson puts fairytale wedding on ice
The wedding of Princess Beatrice is not the only royal nuptials that have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The grandson of one of the 20th century’s most brilliant children’s writers, Roald Dahl, was due to wed the youngest daughter of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan in April — but it has been postponed until October.
Journalist Ned Donovan, 26, who is the son of Tessa Dahl and half-brother of model and writer Sophie Dahl, met Princess Raiyah Bint al Hussein, 33, in India two years ago. Their engagement last November was announced by the Royal Hashemite Court in Amman.
‘We were so looking forward to having you all here in April,’ Donovan has informed guests, ‘but Raiyah and I, along with our families, have decided to postpone the planned celebration and tour here in Jordan till later this year.
‘We want to be with as many of you as possible, but also not have our wedding turned into a ‘vector’ for this virus, and potentially harm anyone’s health.’
Ned, who has now relocated to Jordan, has been getting shipshape for his impending nuptials and has chosen to be called Faris — meaning knight or cavalier in Arabic — as he says Ned isn’t a very common name.
Princess Raiyah speaks four languages and holds degrees in Japanese studies from Edinburgh University and Columbia in New York and is now studying for a PhD in Asian languages and cultures in LA.
Her American-born mother, Queen Noor, was King Hussein’s fourth wife and converted to Islam when she married him in 1978.
Hussein, who died in 1999, would have approved of his prospective son-in-law.
The late king, a great Anglophile, went to Harrow School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Jamie and Jools’ (mostly) glowing tribute to Poppy
Jamie Oliver and his wife of 20 years, Jools, reached a milestone this week when the oldest of their five children, Poppy (left), turned 18
TV chef Jamie Oliver and his wife of 20 years, Jools, reached a milestone this week when the oldest of their five children, Poppy, turned 18.
Jools marked the day with a poignant online tribute. ‘You were our start into the huge adventure of being parents and we have loved every second of it (teenage years slightly omitted).’
Dame Vera Lynn, who turns 103 tomorrow, has evoked the Blitz spirit and called for the public to pull together in these tough times.
However, I can reveal she has her own secret weapon to cheer herself up: Jack Russell Digby.
Daughter Virginia Lewis-Jones tells me: ‘If Mummy is ever feeling under the weather, Digby senses it and will curl up at her feet. Nine times out of ten, it does the trick and Vera is right as rain.’
Restaurateur Raymond Blanc, who has been forced to close some restaurants in his Brasserie Blanc chain, is determined to keep his flagship restaurant and hotel, the two Michelin-starred Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, open.
‘We are fighting like everyone else’ he told me yesterday. ‘
The Manoir has been hit but not as hard as some. We have bookings and have spaced out all the tables and always had the highest standards of hygiene.’ He hopes the closures of his other eateries will be shortlived.
‘Hopefully it would be closure for two or three months — and then a relaunch,’ he added.
Mrs May trousers £1million
I can disclose that the former prime minister has just reported making £460,000 from speeches
Although not widely regarded as the most inspirational speaker, Theresa May has managed to make almost a staggering £1 million from giving public addresses.
I can disclose that the former prime minister has just reported making £460,000 from speeches.
It brings the total to £921,500 since she quit Downing Street eight months ago — or £4,000 per day.
Her latest engagements include one for the Dubai Women Establishment in the United Arab Emirates, for which she was paid around £115,000 for 19 hours’ work and travel.
That’s more than £6,000 per hour.
She said the funds ‘will be used to pay employees, maintain my ongoing involvement in public life and support my charitable work’.
Keep calm and potter, says Prince Harry’s ex
Prince Harry’s ex girlfriend Florence Brudenell-Bruce, 34, who starred in Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, claims pottery ‘magically’ soothes anxiety
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex want people to talk about their feelings to improve mental health, but Prince Harry’s ex suggests a more hands-on approach.
Lingerie model turned ceramicist Florence Brudenell-Bruce, 34, who starred in Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down, claims pottery ‘magically’ soothes anxiety.
‘Buy a bag of air-drying clay if you’re feeling claustrophobic or isolated,’ says Flea, who has two children with her financier husband Henry St George.
‘My pottery story began when I found myself in an abyss and I couldn’t see the light; honestly, clay transformed my life.’
Actor Simon Pegg was shocked to realise he’d never been directed in a film by a woman before Katharine O’Brien, on his new movie, Lost Transmissions.
‘I worked with female directors on television, but when paused to think about the films I had done, they were all directed by men,’ he says. ‘I thought, ‘Holy c**p, that’s terrible.’ ‘
It turned out quite well, he adds. ‘Talking to her, I got the sense that she really knew what she was doing.’ Funny that.
Elderly peers are blithely ignoring Government advice to the over-70s to stay at home.
Those taking part in debates since that advice was issued have included Lord Judge (78), Geoffrey Howe’s widow Elspeth (88), former bishop Lord Harries (83) and Lady Butler-Sloss (86).
The Lords Speaker, Lord Fowler, said the country was in a national fightback against coronavirus. He’s 82. Plainly it’s one rule for us and quite another for them.