A number of organisations backed by the Royal family are still without a patron following the death of Queen Elizabeth. Patronages and presidencies do not automatically transfer to the new monarch at the moment of succession.
Anthony Connolly, president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, told us “the Queen was our patron. We’re still a royal society but we have no patron and it’s a very slow process.”
The society tried to resolve the issue before the Coronation. “We got a response but not a response to the questions we were really asking,” said Mr Connolly.
London Zoo is in a similar pickle. The King is still its vice-Patron, a role he held as Prince of Wales when Queen Elizabeth was Patron. The Prince of Wales Award for Portrait Drawing, a £2,000 prize, has also lapsed since Prince William became Prince of Wales.
Buckingham Palace says it is reviewing royal patronages. “Their Majesties are very grateful to the organisations involved for their patience and understanding throughout the review process,” said a spokesperson.
Goodbye for now, Gagosian
After two decades in King’s Cross, American art dealer Larry Gagosian is closing down his London gallery. Gagosian Britannia Street launched in 2004 and has hosted exhibitions by artists including Jeff Koons, Cecily Brown and Damien Hirst but Gagosian’s landlord has decided to redevelop the property. Instead of finding a new gallery space in London, Gagosian will instead attempt to acquire an outdoor venue in the city for exhibitions of sculpture. A spokesperson for Gagosian says it will “continue and expand the tradition” of the Britannia Street space “beyond the walls of the gallery”.
Leaky Labour
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been bragging lately that he could have an election manifesto ready within two weeks of the Prime Minister calling a general election. No wonder he’s feeling confident. Last night an internal policy document that runs to 86 pages leaked from Labour HQ. It lists in detail the party’s plans for government. The official manifesto will likely be a copy-and-paste job.
Troubled Tom Holland
Spider-Man Tom Holland says “it took a long time to recover” from his dark role in new thriller series The Crowded Room. “I remember having a bit of a meltdown at home and thinking ‘I’m going to shave my head. I need to shave my head because I need to get rid of this character.’ We were mid-shooting, so I decided not to… It was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before,” he said.
Last night in town
Last night the Filmmaker’s Dinner drew Keira Knightley and artist Martha Freud to the Corinthia Hotel. Stanley Tucci and actor Luke Evans also attended. Rose McGowan was at the launch of Talk Art, a new book by actor Russell Tovey and musician Robert Diament. Meanwhile at the Harrow Club’s gala dinner, guests including the Countess of Burlington, designer Molly Goddard and Mimi Xu raised money for at-risk children.
