Lady Gabriella Windsor – whose husband, Thomas Kingston, died tragically last year aged 45 – has found solace in music.

Invited by the Princess of Wales to advise on her annual Christmas carol service, Ella, as she’s known to pals, has now become patron of the charity Restore The Music.

It supports state school music departments and some of its musicians performed at Catherine’s concert last December.

‘Music can do so much to help build confidence, imagination and social skills – all of which are, I believe, essential to learning,’ says the 43-year-old daughter of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. ‘It will be such an honour to serve as patron to this exceptional charity.’

Oxford graduate Ella is a singer/songwriter herself who released her first jazz music in 2020. 

She has been slowly returning to public life since her husband’s death, attending the King’s Birthday Parade last summer and the opening day of Royal Ascot.

Lady Gabriella Windsor, herself a singer/songwriter, has found solace in music following the tragic passing of her husband Thomas Kingston last year aged just 45. Pictured: The couple together at Wimbledon in 2019

Gabriella, has now become patron of the charity Restore The Music, which supports state school music departments and had some musicians perform at The Royal Foundation Carol Service in December. Pictured: Gabriella Windsor arriving at that service at Westminster Abbey on December 6

It’s Murder On The Dancefloor but a million in the bank  

Sophie Ellis-Bextor is still making a killing from her 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor, thanks to Emerald Fennell’s use of it in the soundtrack of film Saltburn and its popularity on video-sharing app TikTok.

The pop singer, 45, has been in high demand with a whole new audience and newly filed accounts for her live music company, DV Touring, disclose that it generated £2.24 million last year. They also report a £1 million profit for Ellis-Bextor after bills.

Her turnover, reported for the year to the end of March 2024, was an increase of more than £1million on 2023.

Popstar Sophie Ellis-Bextor is still making a killing from her 2001 hit Murder on the Dancefloor, thanks to Emerald Fennell’s use of it in the soundtrack of film Saltburn and its popularity on video-sharing app TikTok

James Bond star Naomie Harris has been left shaken and stirred by the beauty treatments she must undergo as part of her work. 

The actress, 48, who played Miss Moneypenny in three 007 films, started losing her hair after getting it professionally styled so often. 

‘When you are working in film, TV, [doing] red carpet, your hair and make-up is being done constantly,’ she explains. 

‘Which is such a gift, but honestly, getting your hair done with that much heat on your edges every day ruins your hairline. I, at one point, was basically losing my hairline.’

Bond star Naomie Harris said the demands of her beauty treatments for her roles meant that at one stage she was losing the edges of her hairline 

Greek playboy Taki Theodoracopulos wrote a ‘High Life’ column for the Spectator magazine every single week from 1977 until 2023 when he was convicted in Switzerland of an attempted rape in 2009. 

His hopes of returning at the age of 88 ended on Thursday when he lost his appeal against his conviction, for which he received a 12-month suspended sentence. ‘Justice was done,’ a friend of his victim tells me. 

Lady Victoria Hervey, whose phone I revealed was grabbed by a thug last month, was determined not to take the assault lying down. 

She alerted police after tracing it to a London address – only to learn they were unable to get in. 

The unstoppable Lady V posted an update yesterday. ‘My stolen phone is back online in China!’ she announced, imploring anyone with ‘links to law enforcement in China’ to message her.

Lady Victoria Hervey is trying to track down her phone in China after it was stolen by a thug last month

Downton Sex spoiler alert 

Don’t expect any bodice ripping in the final chapter of Downton Abbey. 

The drama’s last film is out in September, but it won’t feature the sort of racy scenes Bridgerton viewers enjoy.

‘There is rather more sex in Bridgerton, which doesn’t work for Downton,’ its creator, Julian Fellowes, tells me at the Haven House Children’s Hospice Ball at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. 

Referring to a cinematic sexual metaphor from gentler times, Lord Fellowes, 75, says: ‘I grew up in the generation of the waves breaking over the sand.’ 

He adds: ‘There was more romance, we didn’t go in and get on with it, we said goodbye to them at the door.’

Writer Julian Fellowes says not to expect any ‘bodice ripping’ in the final season of Downton Abbey

It ain’t over ’til the (formerly) fat lady sings! Vanessa Feltz, who wrote in her memoirs about how she lost five stone by having a gastric band fitted and undergoing bypass surgery, is in talks about turning her colourful life story into a stage musical.

‘An American producer has been in touch,’ the broadcaster tells me at the seventh anniversary performance of Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, at the Aldwych Theatre in London.

‘They asked if I would be interested in doing a theatre production about my life because there’s a lot in my autobiography that would do well on stage.’

Vanessa Bares All also detailed the breakdown of her relationship with Phats & Small singer Ben Ofoedu in excruciating detail. Asked who could play her, she replies: ‘I suppose it would be that lovely girl Samantha Barks.’

Vanessa Feltz is in talks about turning her colourful life story into a stage musical

(Very) modern manners

Choosing to have a hen do in Ibiza or get married in the Caribbean might seem like a lovely idea, but it can leave friends out of pocket and resentful. As comedienne Grace Campbell makes clear.

‘People who have destination weddings and destination hens should go and f*** themselves,’ rages the daughter of Tony Blair’s former right-hand man Alastair Campbell. 

‘Why do you think your life is so much more important than other people’s lives that people should dedicate two long weekends of their summer to the fact that you’re getting married?’

Grace, 30, adds: ‘If you want me to come to your hen or your wedding, make it in London and make it the same weekend, because then that’s one weekend of my year is dedicated to you and your marriage, but that’s my absolute f***ng limit.’ Pass.

Comedian Grace Campbell has strong words for people who plan destination weddings or overseas hen-dos