Bernie Ecclestone is a close friend of Paddy McNally. (now there's a name familiar to all Fergie-watchers!!!) To be honest, I am not so sure whether Andrew has ever met Bernie Ecclestone, which was initially because Andrew's social circle NEVER collided with that of Mr Ecclestone. Subsequently, Mr Ecclestone's somewhat 'controversial background', which I have tried to summarise below, was such that I am sure that BP would have always done their best to ensure that Andrew and Bernie never met........
Mr Ecclestone is an exceedingly 'controversial' character. His business dealings [which have made him a multi-BILLIONaire] have caused what I had better describe as 'frequent raised eyebrows'. On one occasion, when one of his, er, VERY controversial deals ended up in court, even the judge said that 'he would not want to rely on anything that Mr Ecclestone had said unless there was corroborative evidence in support of Mr Eccleston'e contentions'. In other words (and since I am writing on this Royal Forumand must behave with appropriate decorum), the Judge was indicating that Mr Ecclestone was 'economical with the truth' [as the saying goes....]
Bernie Ecclestone has also courted controversy in recent years over his methods of paying tax: his [now-ex] wife Slavica was Croatian, and therefore under British Tax Laws, Bernie could put all his income and income-producing assets in her name and therefore pay minimal tax [in one particular year, it was reported that his British tax bill was about HALF the figure I paid - and your humble Diarist is nowhere near even millionaire status!!]. Further controversy arose when Bernie Ecclestone made a payment to the Labour political party, apparently to secure legislation whereby tobacco advertising would after all still be permitted - Formula I motor racing was heavily used by tobacco companies to advertise their product, and had such advertising been banned from Formula One, Bernie's income would have fallen quite considerably....the whole sorry saga was often referred to as a form of bribery'. Further controversy arose over a recent remark by Mr Ecclestone apparently praising Hitler.....
A very pertinent observation; as I have said above, Andrew has possibly never even met Bernie Ecclestone, but if he and Sarah were really a 'bona fide couple', then correct form would have demanded that the invitation was of course extended to him as well..........this is not really a topic to develop on this thread, but I have noticed recently that there are quite a lot of attempts seemingly to 'distance' Andrew from Sarah and portray him as very much his own man with his own social life and circle of friends....hmmmm!
Actually, I would never really have thought that EVEN Sarah was a particular friend of Bernie Ecclestone, let alone a close friend. [The same observation could be made of her daughters!] The cynic in me [noting how Sarah and the girls have in the past turned up at Grands Prix in the super VVIP areas] wonders whether Bernie has been 'exploiting to the max' [if you see what I mean] the Paddy McNally / Sarah connection in order to secure some 'Royal' presence down on the Grand Prix starting grid. In other words, Sarah is really only a 'friend of a friend' so far as her relationship with Bernie is concerned. And I have to say, I have not seen any press coverage about the wedding which would lead me to believe that other 'friends of a friend' have been invited. In other words, in my humble opinion, Sarah and her daughters are there because of the 'Royal' status and that Bernie would not have given them a second glance [let alone invitations] if Sarah had not married into royalty......
Incidentally, I would have thought that, in the past, BP would not have been too happy with the Princesses getting too closely connected with the 'seedier' by-products of Formula One [The Duke of Kent and even Prince Michael of Kent have always been much better 'protected' by going under the umbrella of the much more respectable British Racing Drivers Club (a much-more 'pukka' way into motorsport, with lots of 'gentlemen' members) when undertaking engagements connected with motor sport. The fact that Beatrice and Eugenie are at the Ecclestone wedding is, in my very humble opinion, further evidence of the way that they are becoming 'less involved' in a royal way of life! [Let's just hope that these two young ladies don't go 'too Eurotrash' (as that set is sometimes known as....)
Thank you NotAPretender, that really made me laugh, but, I hope, not too unkindly. This is an observation that really belongs in a 'Sarah' thread, but I have to say that since, rather unfortunately, looks do go a long way in influencing how prospective suitors view a person, Sarah does not seem to be a too-enticing prospect at the moment. Rich wealthy men and aristocrats of the type who could provide Sarah with the sort of lifestyle that she craves almost always tend to seek out beauty and attractiveness in their companions. And poor Sarah is NOT looking at her best at the moment.......
Just my thoughts,
Alex
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My thoughts exactly in reference to Sarah mixing with these (super rich). It is like placing a child in a candy shop. She just does not belong there and honestly doesn't fit in with the likes of BE, FB, and even the forever posing Paris Hilton et al. This is, IMO, clearly a case of using the Princesses as props and I'm sure Sarah goes along with it because she likes to be included in that kind of lifestyle .... one she cannot afford.
This is absolutely the best I have ever seen both York Princesses look and don't they look gorgeous! Beatrice is absolutely glowing and Eugenie is stunning and her dress is well-fitted and show-cases her beautiful curves. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to learn one's sense of personal style with the whole world watching and the Yorks have certainly made their (entirely normal) share of mistakes. But I have noticed a steady improvement since the hat debacle of William's wedding and they haven't, IMHO, put a foot wrong in the last month. Good for both of them, I don't think they have an easy life with the media's treatment of their family - and it is lovely to see both of them looking not only fashionably pretty but also very happy and confident.
