Veronica, the Dowager Countess of Lucan, was laid to rest this week The bitter family rift that divided the Lucan family for more than 35 years finally ended this week when Veronica, the Dowager Countess of Lucan, was laid to rest.
Although the width of the 20th century's most famous fugitive did not speak to her children for more than three decades, her estranged son and heir George, the 8th Earl of Lucan, attended the small service along with close family members including his sisters Frances and Camilla.
Veronica was found dead in her central London home aged 80 seven weeks ago. Poignantly, prayers are being said in her memory during holy communion at St George's Hanover Square is Sunday, which is where her son George, 50, wed Danish industrialist's daughter Anne-Sofie Foghsgaard last year.
Professional gambler Lord ' Lucky 'Lucan was thought to be trying to kill Veronica when he bludgeoned nanny Sandra Rivett to death with a lead pipe at his family home in Belgravia in 1974.
George and his two sisters went on living with their mother. However custody was transferred to Veronica's sister, Christina Shand Kydd, and her husband, Bill, eight years later after Lady Lucan reportedly became mentally ill.
Veronica lived alone around the corner from the murder scene in a leased property held in a Lucan trust.
Professional gambler Lord 'Lucky' Lucan was thought to be trying to kill Veronica when he bludgeoned nanny Sandra Rivett to death with a lead pipe at his family home in Belgravia in 1974 Veronica only formally being the Dowager Counter last year after a death certificate was finally issued for her husband, enabling their son, George, to inherit the family title. Friends of Lady Lucan had hoped George's marriage would bring about a reconciliation of the estranged family. But it was not to be.
She launched a withering attack accusing him of 'bartering the accidental privilege of his birth' by abandoning her to live with his aunt and uncle.
George said he (Official Solicitor, he had to move.
It is believed that Veronica intended to leave nothing to her children and even put her solicitor's name on forms when asked for her next of kin
George Bingham 8th Earl of Lucan with his fiancee Anne-Sofie Foghsgaard New Earl 'will not need nanny'
There's Lady Daphne: hiring a nanny
'Although we are both very busy with our work we like to do everything self, we are sharing the child care and have no need for a professional nanny, 'explains Countess Lucan, 39, at the champagne launch of her new country clothing range Lucan Fashion at Augustus Brandt in Petworth, Sussex.
The Danish billionaire's daughter has teamed up with tailor Timothy Everest, who has designed clothes for David Beckham and Colin Firth.
'When I have to go somewhere for work George takes over - and when he has to do something, I do, so we work it out between us and it's not a problem. '
Vogue now has a new male editor in Edward Enninful, but M & S model Oliver Cheshire claims the fashion magazine needs to be more inclusive of men. [1945909]
'The new Vogue is beautiful: I love the retro feel to it,' Oliver, 29, tells me. But there is one problem. 'I'm not featured in the new Vogue. I 'd love to be, but they do not use it - it' s all about the women.
'There' s Vogue Homme, but that 's French. We should have a men's Vogue in Britain. Why not? Let's do it. I'm sure men will buy it. '
Poppy Delevingne and Josephine De La Baume Pick of the parties: Poppy's hands-on pal! [1945909]
The Bottega Veneta Hand of the Artisan cocktail party at Chiswick House
Guests: The Duke of Kent's granddaughter Lady Amelia Windsor, actor Jack Fox.
Handsy: Petite 5ft 3in French actress Josephine de la Baume was in high spirits despite divorcing DJ Mark Ronson, grabbing statuesque socialite Poppy Delevingne's chest.
Single lady: Lady Kitty Spencer, who recently split from the tycoon property of Niccolo Barattieri, caught up with Lady Violet Manners and model Amber Le Bon.
Lady Amelia Windsor (left) and Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Violet Manners and Amber Le Bon (right) Darcey's Strictly stiletto for rival
There have been rumors that Darcey Bussell and new Strictly Come Dancing head judge Shirley Ballas do not get on - and now Darcey has added fuel to the flame.
She implies that Ballas didn ' (19459009)
Says Bussell of Ballas: 'Of course she was going to be very nervous to start with but wisely, she's been asking everyone for advice. "
'It takes a long time to understand all the details of the show.'
