A 'Knight' To Remember!

Photo published in Hello! Magazine, issue number 563. June 8th, 1999

The Goddess was thrilled to have been asked to meet and greet such a distinguished group of friends from stage, screen and television who were brought together to celebrate Sir Ian ‘Serena’ Mckellen's surprise 60th birthday in May 1999. Arriving in a red Bentley at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, Sir Ian was overwhelmed at the reception he received. Assembled friends included Sting, along with wife Trudy Styler, David Hockney, Jane Asher, Lynn and Lady Redgrave, Janet Street-Porter, Geri Halliwell, Dawn French, Neil Tennant, Richard E Grant, former Whitehouse intern Monica Lewinski, the actor and activist Michael Cashman, Graham Norton, Michelle Collins and Trevor Nunn, to name but a few. Ever the professional, The Goddess took to the job in hand with ease, not being at all phased by the assembled throng (deep down inside she was screaming, uncontrollably). As supper was served, Millie went to her suite upstairs to change into her ‘supper outfit’.

As Millie descended the staircase and entered the room, all eyes fell upon her. Absorbing her ‘natural’ drag beauty, a deathly hush fell upon the masses as The Goddess struck a pose…there appeared to be no seats left at any of the immediate tables for her. Millie cast a steely eye across the room; there was a vacant seat at Lynn and Lady Redgrave’s table. Who dared to stop her from sitting with the members of this distinguished and much admired acting dynasty? Millie sauntered across the room; her 'sylphlike' figure likened to that of a stick insect clad in royal blue crushed velvet, she boldly took her place next to Lynn Redgrave. Lynn turned to The Goddess and said, ‘my mother is in awe of your hair, where do you have it styled?’ ‘Alfredo’s down the Walworth Road’ snorted The Goddess. ‘A shampoo and set on Saturday and a dry carmen comb-out on a Wednesday works wonders!’ 'You must give me his number', piped up Lady Redgrave, a wry smile crossing her face.
With the ice broken, the wine flowed; and from that moment on, whilst engaging in social chit chat and swapping make-up tips, Millie enjoyed one of the most exhilarating and memorable evenings of her career. A light fork supper with The Redgrave’s whilst Sting sang 'Happy Birthday' to Sir Ian, not ten feet from The Goddess. Along with a photo in Hello! Magazine...what more could a Goddess ask for?

Quote from Hello! Magazine: The compass of Sir Ian's circle of friends could hardly be called narrow: Lady Redgrave cuts his Jane Asher-designed chocolate cake watched by daughter Lynn, The True Drag Goddess Millie Mopp (dressed by the House Of Geden), Richard III director Richard Loncraine's children, and Jane herself.