Kate Winslet becomes Mrs RocknRoll: if it’s down to practice, this will be perfect We can but hope that the 'unusual’ Ned Abel Smith brings the British Hollywood star lasting happiness (TELEGRAPH)

By William Langley7:00AM GMT 30 Dec 2012

It can be only the real thing for the new Mr and Mrs RocknRoll, even if everything else in their lives might appear a touch make-believe. They are old hands at the marriage game, these glamorous thirtysomethings, and you have to hope that this time they know what they’re doing.

Mr RocknRoll, who used to be a popular London party boy called Ned Abel Smith, took Kate Winslet to be his wife at a small, unannounced ceremony shortly before Christmas. The groom, who apparently made up his new name because he didn’t think the old one was enough fun, works for Virgin Galactic as “Head of Marketing Promotion and Astronaut Experience”, a job title he also made up.

According to his former wife, Eliza Pearson, the heiress daughter of Viscount Cowdray, he nevertheless takes the job seriously: “He would say to me, 'There is no destination. The destination is now, now, now,’ ” recalls Eliza. “'The journey is the destination. We’re not trying to get somewhere.’”

Kate Winslet, a different type of aristocrat with her movie career, cheerfully borne bodily imperfections and salty vocab, should be quite a catch. Her two previous husbands clearly thought so, although the complications of marriage have a way of catching her by surprise.

First came little-known London producer Jim Threapleton, whom she met on the set of a film called Hideous Kinky and married in 1998. In early 2001, Kate was on the cover of Glamour magazine, telling the readers why: “My husband is one in a million.” Unfortunately, by the time the edition hit the streets, Mr Threapleton, with whom she has a daughter, Mia, now 12, had been dumped.

READ MORE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9770642/Kate-Winslet-becomes-Mrs-RocknRoll-if-its-down-to-practice-this-will-be-perfect.html

Hugh Bonneville, Elizabeth McGovern: White House State Dinner: John Legend, Mumford And Sons Invited To Perform For President Obama (HUFF POST ENTERTAINMENT)

WASHINGTON — Wednesday's giant state dinner for British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife_ the biggest ever thrown by Barack and Michelle Obama – dished up a potent mix of celebrity glam, corporate heft and political money under a giant party tent on the South Lawn.

It is an election year, after all.

 The entertainment lineup also included a little something special for both couples: The Obamas are big admirers of Grammy-winner John Legend, and David and Samantha Cameron are huge fans of Mumford & Sons, a British folk rock band also performing.

Obama, for his part, also is a big fan of "Homeland" actor Damian Lewis, who said on his way into the huge party tent that he planned to ask the president how he ever finds time to watch TV. Among the 360 people who scored golden tickets to the dinner were actor George Clooney, billionaire Warren Buffett, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, businessman Richard Branson, Apple's Jony Ive and movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, a big fundraiser for Obama's re-election campaign.

Others who made the list: Hugh Bonneville and Elizabeth McGovern, both of "Downton Abbey" fame, and Rory McIlroy, the new world No. 1 golfer. In advance of the big night, the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland was so excited he tweeted a photo of himself being fitted for his dinner suit.


READ MORE ABOUT THE DINNER:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/14/white-house-state-dinner-john-legend-obama_n_1345035.html

Hugh Bonneville: Dinner at the White House: the Brits on the guest list (THE GUARDIAN)

Tim Dowling
guardian.co.uk,
Wednesday 14 March 2012 12.17 EDT

The guest list for President Obama's state dinner in honour of David Cameron's US visit offers some intriguing insights into how Americans see BritainA White House state dinner can boast a cast of thousands – or at least one thousand – but there are a few notable names on Wednesday night's guest list, each of whom represents, for the US, a different strand of Britishness.

Hugh Bonneville The star of Downton Abbey is further proof that the UK is a place where anybody can grow up to become a famous actor, even if you're posh, and even if you're called Hugh. The US only has one famous Hugh – Hefner – and even he is best known for still being alive. As a result of his success in Downton, Bonneville is now America's third favourite Hugh, just behind Laurie and Grant.

READ MORE OF THE GUARDIAN ARTICLE:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/14/white-house-dinner-british-guests?newsfeed=true

Kate Winslet invited back to Necker for Christmas

• By Stacey King, Dec 9, 2011
• Filed under: Celebrity Gossip

 

Splash

 

Sir Richard Branson has apparently invited actress Kate Winslet and his wackily named nephew Ned Rocknroll to return to his private island Necker for the festive season.

Kate hooked up with Ned, pictured with her left, after they both spent time on the Caribbean island back in the summer - and when Kate famously carried Sir Richard's mum to safety as the house was engulfed in flames.

And now the Virgin tycoon has reportedly invited the pair of them to spend Christmas and New Year on the island as the house is fixed up in advance of his daughter Holly's wedding there early next year.

The Mirror quoted a source as saying: "Richard's invited her and the kids back to thank her for her bravery in saving his mother."

We imagine they'll have to fly the sprouts in, as they probably don't grow locally

 

 

Huffpost

Sir Richard Branson invites Kate Winslet to see Titanic for real

Kate Winslet is set to see the doomed ship 'Titanic' for real - courtesy of billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

The Virgin boss had recently divulged his plan to join other tourists paying 38,000 pounds each for a submarine 12,500ft dive to the wreck of 'Titanic' in the North Atlantic, the Daily Mail reported.
"It is something I am very keen to do. I'm deadly serious about this and I would love to invite Kate to come with me," Branson said.

"Wouldn't it be something if the star of Titanic really got to go down to the real ship? I'm going to talk to her but I'm sure it's an opportunity she will jump at."

It is one of the most iconic images in film history. When Kate Winslet stood on the prow of the Titanic in the blockbuster 1997 film, it turned her into an overnight superstar.


The Times of India

Kate Winslet talks about the fire on Necker Island on Graham Norton

Kate Winslet’s isle blaze bra-very

Hero ... Kate on show

Published: Today at 10:33

 

The Titanic star, 36, said the blaze on Richard Branson's Necker Island was "like a movie".

She added: "In disastrous moments you do the strangest things.

"I started to put on a bra and thought 'that's going to take too long' so off came the bra on came the T-shirt."

Kate also described carrying Branson's mum Eve, 90, down the stairs of the Caribbean home while fleeing in August as she and her two kids ran for their lives.

She tells tonight's Graham Norton Show: "I grabbed the children and I picked up granny. We were at the top of some slippery stone steps."

Kate Winslet flees inferno on Sir Richard Branson's £90m island, she saved his mother from the flames

Remains ... Branson's home smoulders

 

 

By RICHARD WHITE

Published: 23 Aug 2011

 

 

 

TITANIC star Kate Winslet fled Sir Richard Branson's Caribbean home yesterday as it was engulfed by flames.

Kate, 35, helped carry the tycoon's 90-year-old mum to safety after lightning hit the mansion on his £90million island Necker.

The actress scooped up frail Eve after lightning set the mansion ablaze.
Branson, who was staying in a villa nearby, yesterday likened Kate's dramatic rescue to a scene from one of her Hollywood blockbusters.

He said: "Many thanks to Kate Winslet. It was she who carried my mother out of the house. She swept her up into her arms and got them out of the house as fast as possible.

"My mum is 90 and can walk but it was more to speed the process up than anything else. But Kate was great."

Safe ... tycoon Sir Richard Branson and his mother Eve, 90

He added: "She said it was like being in a film set where you're waiting for the words 'Cut' but they just don't come. It was quite surreal for her to be in a real-life situation like that."

Kate was in the sumptuous 14-bedroom Great House with her children Mia, ten, and Joe, seven, when the storm struck.
Branson's daughter Holly, 29, was among others in the house. His son Sam, 26, and nephew Jack helped about 20 guests to safety.

Video: Branson house burns in blaze

KATE WINSLET escapes inferno at Sir Richard Branson's home.

But they could only stand on the beach and watch as the beautiful house was reduced to ash.

The 61-year-old Virgin tycoon added: "We had a tropical storm with winds up to 90mph. A big lightning storm came around 4am and hit the house. My son Sam and nephew Jack rushed to the house and helped get everyone out.

Ablaze ... Holly Branson's picture of dad Sir Richard's island home on fire

"Around 20 people were in the house and they all managed to get out and they are all fine.

"Kate Winslet, her boyfriend and her family were there and Holly and some of her friends were also staying.

Smoking ruin ... charred timbers of the Great House

"The main house is destroyed and the fire is not yet completely out.
"My office was based in the house and I have lost thousands of photographs and my note books which is very sad.
"But all family and friends are well, which in the end is all that really matters."

Caribbean island ... Necker

Branson said he would begin rebuilding the Great House as soon as possible. He added: "It's very much the Dunkirk spirit here.

"We will rebuild the house as soon as we can. We have wonderful staff here and want them to stay in work.
"We'll all stay here for the time being. There's a lot of damage and we won't be able to stick it back together again right away.
"It was a beautiful house. But we'll create something even more special out of the ruins. I'm currently just huddled up with family and friends in the continuing tropical storm realising what really matters in life."
Branson was staying 100 yards from the Great House with wife Joan.
Oscar winner Kate is holidaying on Necker with her boyfriend.
Branson bought Necker Island, part of the British Virgin Islands, for just £120,000 in the late 70s.

Firefight ... officers douse the smoke at home

It is now said to be worth £90million. He built the Great House in 1982, followed by the surrounding Balinese-style villas.

Paradise lost ... Sir Richard Branson's home burns in the distance

Branson regularly lends them to famous friends, with past guests including Mel Gibson, Princess Diana, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Robert de Niro.

Escaped ... Kate Winslet was staying in Sir Richard Branson's holiday home

The 74-acre island has been a luxury retreat for the super-rich since 1984. The isle can be privately hired for £33,000 a night. Sixty staff run the island, which is home to more than 200 flamingos.
It also has its own three-man submarine called the Necker Nymph.
Each of the 14 bedrooms in Great House has its own balcony, four-poster bed and en-suite bathroom.

Holiday luxury ... Bali-style decor and furnishings

A spokesman for Virgin said today: "In the early hours of this morning, a fire took place on Necker Island, causing substantial damage to the Great House.

"While the cause at this stage is unknown, it is thought most likely due to a lightning strike.
"While substantial damage was caused, no guests or members of the Necker Island staff were hurt. Sir Richard Branson, members of his family and guests were on the island at the time. They are all safe and being accommodated elsewhere on the island."

Courageous ... Sam and Holly Branson

 

Branson originally bought Necker Island to woo Joan — his wife of 35 years.

He has said: "I was about 26-years-old. I was chasing this beautiful lady, trying to persuade her to come and live with me and we discovered this beautiful island.

Brave ... Kate Winslet and boyfriend Louis Dowler

"I somehow managed to get the island, the lady and the mother of my children.

"I appreciate every moment of my life. I was born under a lucky star."
Holly, who took some of our exclusive pictures of the fire, is due to marry ship broker Freddie Andrews on the island later this year.

Great getaway... the incredible resort before the fire

Eroteme

Kate Winslet: Divorce Was "Hard" for Sam Mendes and Me

2011-10-04 10:23:43

US Weekly

 Celebrity News October 4, 2011 AT 10:34AM By Justin Ravitz

Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Kate Winslet has garnered worldwide acclaim -- plus an Oscar and many nominations -- for capturing the anguish of romantic heartache onscreen.
It helps that the actress, who turns 36 Tuesday, knows from experience. In March 2010, she and Revolutionary Road director Sam Mendes ended their marriage of seven years.

"One thing I will say about me and Sam is that it's fine, it's really fine," the star tells Harper's Bazaar UK -- and she has no intention of slinging mud or worse at her second husband. "I'm not going to s***fling, there's no point in even going there. It is what it is."
Shooting her Emmy-winning role in the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce amidst the split came especially naturally, she admitted. "There's a scene where Mildred and Bert are divorced and they sit down together, because they've got to settle on a cause," Winslet explained. "The first stage of my divorce with Sam came through on the very day that we were shooting. So that scene is nothing to do with acting."

One key to keeping the peace with Mendes: the couple's son, Jack, 7. "We're grown-ups at the end of the day, and however hard it's been for me, it’s been equally hard for him. And we have a child together who we both love - and raising him together, jointly and without any conflict, is absolutely key," Winslet explains.
And Winslet has been through this before, too. She has a daughter, Mia, nearly 12, with her first husband Jim Threapleton.

"[Co-parenting with an ex] is the only way to do it, and I've really learnt that with Mia," Winslet explains.
And as far as the future -- Winslet is now dating "Ned Rocknroll," the wild nephew of Richard Branson -- the star is ready for whatever comes.
"I feel that I'm just at the beginning of a new narrative, and it's incredibly exciting," she tells Harper's Bazaar. "It's complicated, I know, and uncertain - but it's where life happens, between the cracks. It can be a painful process, but I truly hope that never stops for me."