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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260331T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260331T193000
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SUMMARY:Charleston | Malice in Wonderland: Hugo Vickers on Cecil Beaton
DESCRIPTION:Visiting from the UK\, author and renowned speaker Hugo Vickers brings us Malice in Wonderland\, an investigation into the whirlwind life of the photographer\, diarist\, painter\, interiors and costume designer that was Sir Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton. Cecil Beaton invited Hugo Vickers to be his authorized biographer only days before his unexpected passing. Undeterred\, Vickers used diaries\, letters\, and precious friendships and connections in Beaton’s circle to compose\, in paper\, the story of this life well-lived. For five years\, Vickers travelled the world and talked to some of the most fascinating and important social and cultural figures of the time\, including royalty such as the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret\, Lady Diana Cooper\, Grace Kelly\, Audrey Hepburn\, Truman Capote\, Irving Penn and Diana Vreeland. As part of our ongoing partnership with The Royal Oaks Foundation\, we look forward to this special reflection and a personal exploration of the a legacy of a man enveloped by a disappearing era of glamour. \nIf you are unable to attend the event\, but would like to purchase one or more copies\, please visit Buxton Books. \nHugo Vickers is well known as a biographer\, lecturer and broadcaster\, and is an acknowledged expert on the Royal Family. He has covered events from the first wedding of the Prince of Wales and other royal weddings; the funerals of the Queen Mother\, Prince Philip\, the State Funeral and Committal of The Queen; and the Coronation of Charles III. The Financial Times recently described him as ‘the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet.’ He has written many biographies of 20th-century figures\, including Cecil Beaton\, Vivien Leigh\, the Duchess of Windsor\, Princess Andrew of Greece\, and the Queen Mother. In 2022\, he published a book with HRH The Duke of Kent\, entitled A Royal Life. In 2024\, Mr. Vickers published a novel – Pining in Paradise – and his biography of Clarissa\, Countess of Avon (widow of PM Anthony Eden). When not writing\, he travels through the Commonwealth and Overseas Territories\, establishing Commonwealth Walkways. Mr. Vickers is a Deputy Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire and Captain of the Lay Stewards of St George’s Chapel\, Windsor Castle. He has given too many lectures in too many places to keep track. \nTuesday\, March 31 | 6:00 p.m. (ET)\nLecture is preceded by 5:30 p.m. reception \nLocation: Charleston Library Society\, 164 King Street\, Charleston \nLecture\, Reception\, & Book-signing:\n$25 Members; $35 Non-Members and guests \nClick here to register with the Charleston Library Society or go to:\nhttps://charlestonlibrarysociety.org/event/malice-in-wonderland-hugo-vickers-on-cecil-beaton/\n \nYou may also call the Charleston Library Society at 843-723-9912 to register! \nSince its founding in the Charleston Library Society has continued to strengthen the intellectual and cultural fabric of the Lowcountry as a private lending library and comfortable gathering spot for reading\, exploration of treasured collections\, scholarly research and lively programs on literature\, history\, world affairs\, and music. After 275 years\, the Charleston Library Society remains the oldest cultural institution in the South and second-oldest circulating library in the country.
URL:https://www.royal-oak.org/event/charleston-malice-in-wonderland/
LOCATION:Charleston Library Society\, 164 King St\, Charleston\, SC\, 29401\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Lecture
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250415T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250415T193000
DTSTAMP:20250305T181851Z
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LAST-MODIFIED:20250305T181851Z
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SUMMARY:Charleston | Sissinghurst
DESCRIPTION:The Rose Garden in May at Sissinghurst Castle Garden\, Kent \nIn 1930\, writer Vita Sackville-West and diplomat Harold Nicolson transformed a neglected Elizabethan farmstead in Kent into Sissinghurst Castle Garden—now one of the world’s most celebrated gardens. Known for its intimate “garden rooms\,” lush plantings\, and internationally renowned collection of old roses\, Sissinghurst remains a masterpiece of 20th-century garden design. As the garden approaches its centenary in 2030\, join head gardener Troy Scott Smith for an in-depth look at its past\, present\, and future. He will share insights into the enduring legacy of Sackville-West and Nicolson’s vision\, the challenges of conservation in a changing climate\, and the ongoing efforts to keep Sissinghurst vibrant while preserving its historic charm. From the famed White Garden to the exquisite Rose Garden\, this lecture offers a rare glimpse into the artistry and dedication behind one of England’s most treasured landscapes and explores the enduring magic of Sissinghurst. \n\n\nTroy Scott Smith was borne in Yorkshire into a family of committed naturalists and spent his childhood exploring the geology and flora of the National Parks of England. He began his gardening at a young age\, quickly developing a style of relaxed planting that mixed native wildings together with exotics. In 1990\, after a total of 5 years studying horticulture and design\, Troy joined the National Trust\, Europe’s largest Conservation Charity. In the years since Troy has led the gardens at The Courts\, Bodnant and Sissinghurst\, where he has been Head Gardener since 2013. Troy combines his work at Sissinghurst with design and consultancy\, writing\, teaching and lecturing. Troy has recently taken on a small farm back in his home county of Yorkshire\, where he continues to gently experiment\, laying down sustainable planting for the future. \n\n\n\nVENUE\nCharleston Library Society\n164 King Street\nCharleston\, SC 29401 \nIn-Person: 6:00pm\, Lecture is preceded by a reception 5:30pm \nPurchase tickets through the Charleston Library Society at: https://charlestonlibrarysociety.org/event/sissinghurst-with-troy-scott-smith/ \nOr by phone: 843-723-9912 \nTickets: $25 members; $35 non-members
URL:https://www.royal-oak.org/event/charleston-sissinghurst-with-troy-scott-smith/
LOCATION:Charleston Library Society\, 164 King St\, Charleston\, SC\, 29401\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Lecture
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250318T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250318T193000
DTSTAMP:20250317T204749Z
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SUMMARY:Charleston | Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace with Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill
DESCRIPTION:Blenheim: 300 Years of Life in a Palace\nRegarded as perhaps the greatest of the stately homes and the finest example of baroque architecture in Great Britain\, Blenheim\, in Woodstock\, Oxfordshire\, is a one of England’s treasure houses. Designed by John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor in the early 1700s for the Duke of Marlborough\, Blenheim is filled with artistic treasures crafted by the best talents of the age. Fine furniture and magnificent tapestries highlight incredible paintings from notable artists such as Joshua Reynolds and John Singer Sargent. The lavish rooms provide a window into the history of collecting\, changing styles of English interiors\, and reflects on England’s own history—as well as the history of the Spencer-Churchill family. Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill\, the 12th generation of the family\, will give us an illustrated private tour of the palace—with new photography by Hugo Rittson. In addition to the gilded staterooms full of priceless objet d’arts\, Lady Henrietta will show the family’s private apartments and take us behind-the-scenes into secret corridors and the “downstairs” staff area (with its iconic bell system). She will also share her first-hand experience as one of the palace’s stewards and explain the importance of Blenheim’s restoration\, bringing the estate into the 21st century. Join us as we see Blenheim as it’s never been seen before! \n\nLady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill is an interior designer\, founder of Woodstock Designs\, and author of multiple Rizzoli books on design and historic styles\, including The Life of the House\, Blenheim and the Churchill Family\, and Classic English Interiors. She lectures widely on design and design history in the US and the UK. Hugo Rittson-Thomas is a portrait photographer of many high-profile subjects\, including the British royal family. His work has been published in Romantics and Classics\, Secret Gardens of the Cotswolds\, and Great Gardens of London. \n\n\n\nVENUE\nCharleston Library Society\n164 King Street\nCharleston\, SC 29401 \nOr Call 212-480-2889 x206 to register! \nIn-Person: 6:00pm\, Lecture is preceded by a reception \nTickets: $35 members*; $45 non-members\n*Membership discount applied automatically when logged in to your Royal-Oak.org account
URL:https://www.royal-oak.org/event/charleston-blenheim-300-years-of-life-in-a-palace-with-lady-henrietta-spencer-churchill/
LOCATION:Charleston Library Society\, 164 King St\, Charleston\, SC\, 29401\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Lecture
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241008T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241008T190000
DTSTAMP:20250203T221814Z
CREATED:20240628T171523Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T221814Z
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SUMMARY:Charleston | Pamela Harriman: A Life of Power\, Seduction\, and Intrigue by Sonia Purnell
DESCRIPTION:Often written off as a mere courtesan and social climber\, Pamela Harriman’s true historic legacy has been overshadowed by her glamorous social life and infamous erotic adventures. Much of what she did behind the scenes – on both sides of the Atlantic – remained invisible and secret. During WWII\, Churchill’s beloved daughter-in-law became his “secret weapon\,” strategically wining\, dining\, and seducing diplomats and generals to help win over Americans to the British cause against Hitler. After the war\, she helped to transform Fiat heir\, Gianni Agnelli\, into Italy’s ‘uncrowned king’ on the international stage. After helping the Democratic party and an unknown Bill Clinton take the American presidency\, she was appointed U.S. Ambassador to France. In this role she deployed her legendary powers to charm world leaders\, while working on N.A.T.O. expansion and aiding efforts to bring peace to Bosnia—playing a huge role during the high-water mark of American global supremacy. For five decades Harriman blazed a trail through to the center of political power. There is practically no one in 20th-century politics\, culture\, and fashion whose lives she did not touch\, including the Kennedys\, Truman Capote\, Aly Khan\, Kay Graham\, Ed Murrow\, and Frank Sinatra. Harriman acknowledged her notoriety and admitted “I’d rather have had bad things written about me than be forgotten.” In this lecture\, investigative journalist and award-winning biographer Sonia Purnell presents an electrifying re-examination of Harriman’s story using new research and previously unknown sources. Telling a tale full of sex and politics; set on yachts and in palaces; and always hallmarked by glamour and luxury\, Purnell will unveil for the first time how Harriman left an indelible mark in the heart of world history and politics. \nSonia Purnell is a bestselling author and journalist known for her lively writing and meticulous research\, with a global readership. Her work has been optioned by leading filmmakers and praised by diverse audiences. Her first book\, “Just Boris: A Tale of Blond Ambition\,” a biography of Boris Johnson\, was longlisted for the Orwell Prize in 2011 and remains the definitive biography. Her second book\, “First Lady” (UK) / “Clementine” (US)\, unveiled the crucial role of Winston Churchill’s wife\, Clementine\, influencing her portrayal in media such as Netflix’s “The Crown.” “A Woman of No Importance\,” Purnell’s third book\, tells the true story of WWII spy Virginia Hall and became a New York Times Bestseller\, winning the Plutarch Prize for Best Biography in 2020. Her latest book\, “Kingmaker: Pamela Harriman’s Astonishing Life of Power\, Seduction & Intrigue\,” to be published in September 2024\, reexamines the life of Pamela Harriman\, revealing her influence on 20th-century politics. Purnell’s work has received acclaim from numerous publications\, including the Independent\, Guardian\, Daily Telegraph\, and New York Times. Her books have been translated into over twenty languages\, inspiring readers worldwide. \nA limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Payment accepted includes credit card\, check\, or cash. If you have any questions\, please contact Aliza at 212-480-2889\, x200. \nTickets: $35 members and co-sponsors*; $45 non-members \n\n*Use co-sponsor code at checkout\, membership discount applied automatically when logged into your Royal-Oak.org account
URL:https://www.royal-oak.org/event/charleston-pamela-harriman-a-life-of-power-seduction-and-intrigue/
LOCATION:Charleston Library Society\, 164 King St\, Charleston\, SC\, 29401\, United States
CATEGORIES:In-Person Lecture
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