28 JUNE 2002
Elton John threw open the gates of his UK mansion on Thursday to some of the most glamorous figures on the British social scene, including Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue and Liz Hurley. The occasion was the veteran rocker's fourth annual White Tie and Tiara fundraiser ball.

Dressed in a sober black suit, Sir Elton greeted the revellers as they arrived and welcomed them into a marquee erected on the grounds. Inside guests were treated to a recreation of the Edwardian-style featured in the Oscar-winning movie Gosford Park, where waiters in period costume served cocktails.

Liz Hurley made a stunning entrance in an olive evening gown slashed to the thigh and wearing over £1 million of specially designed jewellery. The 37-year-old star sported a 33-carat diamond necklace featuring one of the world’s largest diamonds, made by the evening's sponsors, jewellers Chopard, plus a 21-carat ring.

Among the 500 guests were supermodel Elle Macpherson, actress Emma Thompson, the daughter of the former American president Chelsea Clinton, and Dame Shirley Bassey. Also invited were George Michael, Jemima Khan, Jerry Hall, her stepdaughter Jade Jagger, and actor Ben Chaplin.

The partygoers, each of whom had made a £1,000 donation to Sir Elton’s Aids Foundation, were treated to a gourmet three-course dinner. The starter was seafood trio – crab, tuna and salmon - followed by lamb served with potatoes flavoured with lavender. For dessert was a fluffy raspberry soufflé with homemade ice cream.

Irish heart-throb Ronan Keating and Southampton-born soul sensation Craig David provided the after-dinner entertainment.

As they left in the early hours of the morning, guests each picked up a lavish goodie bag, the contents of which were kept strictly under wraps.