Royal Reconciliation 

King Charles and Prince Harry’s senior aides held a secret peace summit in London at the weekend.

It’s the initial stage in an effort to restore the fractured relationship between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of the Royal Family.

Harry is represented by Meredith Maines, his communications officer and head of his Montecito household, who flew in from Los Angeles.

She met with Tobyn Andreae, the King’s communications secretary, at the Royal Oversea League, a short distance from Clarence House, Charles’ London home on The Mall.

Also present was Liam Maguire, who runs the Sussex’s PR team in the U.K.

Stay tuned…

Books & Bars

Godmothers, the Summerland independent bookstore, and the Rosewood Miramar’s Manor Bar, have announced a new joint partnership in grounded shared values, thoughtful curation, meaningful connection, and love of the local community.

The collaboration brings together two local institutions deeply committed to storytelling and discovery.

Since opening in September 2024, Godmothers has become cultural anchor in the region, offering dynamic programming from author talks to hands-on workshops.

The Manor Bar is known for its enfolding library setting and literary-themed menu, whose present iteration is Chronicles of Cocktails Volume IV: Literary Lands.  

Together they introduce Godmothers Literary Society at the Manor Bar, a monthly speaker series designed to foster cultural exchange and connections. It is open to hotel guests and the larger community.

Hold Onto Your Hats

The Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club holds its popular annual hat contest on the final Sunday of the month and for the 18th year I will be judging the torrent of tony tête toppers.

Always a fun and creative occasion. See you there….

A Sketchy Show

New Montecito resident Seinfeld creator Larry David and former president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are teaming up for a new HBO TV show.

The unlikely team will be collaborating on a still-untitled sketch comedy for the network, which will explore American history.

The six-episode series will be written by David, 78, and his longtime Curb Your Enthusiasm partner Jeff Schaffer, who is set to direct.

“The President and Mrs. Obama wanted to honor America’s 250th anniversary and celebrate the unique history of our nation on this special occasion,” says David.

Used Bag Sold

Hermès Birkin Bags are not the cheapest accessory for the wardrobe at $24,000 a pop.

But the late British actress Jane Birkin, after who the bag was named, would have been more than impressed when her personal Birkin went for $8.6 million at a Sotheby’s Paris, auction.

Birkin who died in 2023, was on an Air France flight with the designer for the fancy fashion chain in 1981 and between them they came up with the capacious bag.

Seen on Sea

Having confirmed to the New York Post’s Page Six they were separated, British actor Orlando Bloom and Santa Barbara warbler Katy Perry were back together again on the multi-million-dollar mega yacht of Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos with their daughter Daisy Dove, sailing near Sardinia.

Katy, just back from an Australian concert tour, then flew to Paris to join Bezos’ wife, Lauren Sanchez, at the Balenciaga fashion show.

Sightings

Cheers star Ted Danson on the other side of the bar at Lucky’s… Gwyneth Paltrow and husband Brad Falchuk with actor friend Edward Norton in Capri… New Montecito resident Jennifer Aniston in Mallorca with dashing beau Jim Curtis.

Pip! Pip!