London eased into the festive season this week with a flurry of Christmas launches, glittering façades and star-studded parties across the capital.
On Tuesday, Annabel’s unveiled its annual festive façade, The Wardrobe: A World of Wonder, in support of The Caring Family Foundation’s Food From The Heart campaign.
The private members’ club transformed its Berkeley Square entrance into an ornate wardrobe opening onto a wintry scene of snow-dusted trees, shimmering icicles and a majestic lion at its centre — a symbol, the club says, of both the fragility of the world and the strength required to protect it.
Crowds gathered outside for the grand reveal, accompanied by a performance from Alexandra Burke and the Capital Children’s Choir.
Inside, guests were welcomed with Johnnie Walker Black Ruby cocktails before sitting down to an intimate Perrier-Jouët dinner hosted by Richard and Patricia Caring.
Among the attendees were Arizona Muse, Rahi Chadda, Eva Apio, Freddy Carter, Lydia West, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, Chey Maya and Amber Le Bon.
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On Wednesday, the celebrations moved north-west as celebrities descended on Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for the launch of this year’s Hogwarts in the Snow.
The Great Hall dressed in its Yule Ball finery from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire provided a dramatic backdrop as Joe Swash, Mark Bonnar, Kimberley Walsh, Vanessa Feltz, Tom and Giovanna Fletcher as they posed for photos.
Guests explored the decorated sets, indulged in Hogwarts seasonal treats including gingerbread-topped mini brownies and Butterbeer. The events comes ahead of the return of the Studio tour’s popular Dinner in the Great Hall on 8, 9 and 10 December.
Billie Piper wrapped up the week’s festivities with a joint birthday celebration alongside her long-time friend Jeremy Langmead, brand director at luxury menswear retailer MR PORTER.
The pair marked their milestones with a lively gathering Upstairs at Langan’s, where Piper, who turned 43 in September, led a guest list packed with familiar faces from fashion, film and TV.
Harris Reed, Bel Powley, Richard Madden and Graham Norton attended the star-studded bash.
They were joined by Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Jenna Coleman and David and Georgia Tennant, while Graham Norton and Fearne Cotton, with her new partner Elliot Hegarty, were also spotted enjoying the night.
Billie’s sisters, Harley and Elle Piper, were on hand to celebrate too, watching proudly as she blew out her birthday candles.
