27 JUNE 2003
This year's annual White Tie and Tiara Ball thrown by Elton John was the most spectacular yet, notching up an incredible £10-million price tag. The theme for the bash, which marked the tenth anniversary of the singer's AIDS Foundation, was Imperial Russia.

Under a vast marquee decorated with real gold to resemble the onion domes of traditional Russian churches, a six-course banquet was served to celebrity guests who had jetted in from around the world. Among those quaffing vintage champagne to the tune of half a million pounds were the Duchess of York, Naomi Campbell, Jemima Khan, David and Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minogue.

A total of 500 guests partied the night away in a Russian winter wonderland - complete with ice rinks and performing figure skaters - created in the grounds of the singer's Windsor mansion.

Inside the marquee filled with Russian icons and decorated with £200,000-worth of floral decorations, the stars were serenaded by balalaika players and entertained by Cossack dancers. After tucking into a feast which included edible versions of Faberge eggs, they were then entertained by Donna Summer, Barry Manilow and Elton himself.