SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: Aide's boost for Prince Charles' charity

SEBASTIAN SHAKESPEARE: May the Fawcett be with you! Aide’s boost for Prince Charles’ charity

Prince Charles’s bold decision to put Michael Fawcett in charge of his charity empire sealed an astonishing rise to power for his former valet. And the move is already paying dividends.

I can reveal that the heir to the throne’s educational charity, the Prince’s Foundation, enjoyed an increase of £4million in its net assets this year.

According to newly filed figures, it boasted assets of £119.5 million in the 12 months to March. Incoming resources also soared, from £16.5 million in 2019 to £22.3 million this year.

Fawcett, who started as a junior footman, was made the £95,000-a-year chief executive of the foundation in a major re-organisation of Charles’s philanthropic work in March 2018.

Prince Charles’s bold decision to put Michael Fawcett (right) in charge of his charity empire sealed an astonishing rise to power for his former valet

It put him in charge of a multi- million-pound budget and gave him responsibility for all the future king’s public work on issues including architecture, heritage, culture and education.

Fawcett began his royal service in 1981 as a footman to the Queen, becoming sergeant footman and then Charles’ assistant valet, setting out his bespoke suits and shirts every morning at Kensington Palace.

He even had to squeeze toothpaste on his master’s toothbrush after the Prince broke his arm playing polo, and became so indispensable that Charles once said: ‘I can manage without just about anyone, except for Michael.’

And the move is already paying dividends. I can reveal that the heir to the throne’s educational charity, the Prince’s Foundation, enjoyed an increase of £4million in its net assets this year

According to newly filed figures, it boasted assets of £119.5 million in the 12 months to March. Incoming resources also soared, from £16.5 million in 2019 to £22.3 million this year

For the previous five years, he had also worked as chief executive of Dumfries House, a Palladian stately home in Ayrshire, Scotland, rescued by the prince on behalf of the nation and which has become the base for his charitable endeavours.

Aides said Fawcett had helped to raise tens of millions of pounds and created 200 jobs at the house, its estate and the wider area.

The trustee’s report states: ‘The charity ended the year with a surplus, and we face the uncertainty resulting from Covid-19 from a position of strength.

‘We have been able to continue to pay our staff throughout this crisis without taking advantage of the Government’s furlough scheme, our suppliers have continued to be paid, and we are moving forward with our reopening plans in line with government guidelines.’

Fawcett, who started as a junior footman, was made the £95,000-a-year chief executive of the foundation in a major re-organisation of Charles’s philanthropic work in March 2018

That’s one way to endear yourself to your new mother-in-law!

George Frost, son of late broadcaster Sir David Frost, tied the knot at the weekend with magician Katherine Mills at Chelsea Old Town Hall.

After the ceremony, the bride tossed her bouquet to George’s mother, Lady Carina, to the amusement of fellow guests who included financier Ben Goldsmith and his wife, Jemima.

‘I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you,’ George told Katherine.

George, 33-year-old founder of The Duppy Share rum, is the youngest of Sir David’s three sons including news anchor Wilfred, 35, who was unable to fly in from New York.

Wilfred watched the ceremony online via Zoom with his American girlfriend, fashion PR Kaley Adolf. Their elder brother, Miles, tragically died from a heart condition aged 31 in 2015.

‘You were so incredibly and gut-wrenchingly missed,’ George told Wilfred. ‘But we all know it’s about the party in the summer. We love you so much, guys, and can’t wait to see you again before Covid-20.’

George Frost (pictured), son of late broadcaster Sir David Frost, tied the knot at the weekend with magician Katherine Mills at Chelsea Old Town Hall

After the ceremony, the bride tossed her bouquet to George’s mother, Lady Carina (pictured), to the amusement of fellow guests who included financier Ben Goldsmith and his wife, Jemima

Socks ahoy! TV presenter Fearne Cotton proves that you can dress up and down at the same time.

While recording a video interview at her house in South West London, the 39-year-old dutifully glammed up in a £480 Alice Temperley green kaftan.

But as the camera only had a limited view, Fearne was able to hide the fact that she had forgone the glitzy footwear to match.

‘I wore a dress for the first time in months — but what you couldn’t see during the interview was that I’m wearing fluffy socks,’ she confessed.

Socks ahoy! TV presenter Fearne Cotton proves that you can dress up and down at the same time

Tragic Aintree Racecourse chairman Rose Paterson left more than £1 million to her Conservative politician husband. 

Newly released probate documents reveal that she bequeathed her entire estate to former Cabinet minister Owen Paterson.

Rose, 63, was found dead in woods near their Shopshire home in June. 

Daughter of the 4th Viscount Ridley, she was much loved in equestrian circles and a minute’s silence was held at race meetings in her memory.

She plays the Queen in The Crown, but Olivia Colman says Dame Judi Dench and Dame Julie Walters are her role models in real life. ‘What I admire about them is they’re private,’ she says. 

‘Their private lives are their private lives. That’s an admirable thing. 

‘Be careful what you invite in, because you can’t then close the door on it, which is why I don’t do any social media. If you show too much, it’s difficult. 

‘The actors I admire have some mystery.’

Duran Duran star John Taylor says although he’s close to his bandmates, he’s not that close. 

‘They’re the nearest thing I have to siblings,’ he says. 

‘And they’re siblings who are partners, so it’s tricky, but thankfully we don’t have to go to bed with each other. 

‘That’s one area where we don’t have to get involved with each other.’ 

Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure was barely recognisable when she swapped her detective uniform for a more festive getup

Line Of Duty star Vicky McClure was barely recognisable when she swapped her detective uniform for a more festive getup.

The 37-year-old changed into a Santa top and tinsel-framed glasses for a virtual catch-up with friends.

Vicky’s fiancé, TV producer Jonny Owen, took a picture of her which he then shared online. ‘Vicky about to do a Zoom with her choir pals and going full Mariah,’ he said.

Vicky presented Our Dementia Choir for the BBC last year — about a choir of people living with the illness — and the follow-up airs tomorrow night.

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