CORE PATRONS
Her Excellency, Ms. Winnie A. Kiap, C.B.E.
High Commissioner for Her Majesty’s Government of Papua New Guinea.
Her Excellency Winnie Anna Kiap, a mother of two and a grandmother of five from Baluan Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG), arrived at the Court of St. James’ on 25th August 2012, to head the Mission in London with accreditation to Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, South Africa and Zimbabwe. She is keen to use her role to promote her country in the UK and the other countries of her accreditation as a as well as to learn more about democratic and governance processes from her Commonwealth partners which may be applied back home. Having begun her civil-service career in the PNG Department of Trade and Industry, later moving to the position of Director of Corporate Services in the Investment Promotion Authority, Ms. Kiap has much experience in trade and investment. The past 10 years have seen her rise to Secretary to the National Executive Council (cabinet), her most recent previous appointment. ‘As Secretary to the National Executive Council she says, ‘one is in a unique position to know a lot about what’s going on in the country, so from that springboard, I am prepared for the challenge as head of the PNG Mission here.’ Ms. Kiap has already experienced a good deal of activity and excitement, including meetings with various Commonwealth partners to delineate how PNG and the other Pacific Island countries fit into the group. However, she cites paying a courtesy call on Her Majesty as her most memorable moment so far: ‘Her Majesty the Queen is represented in our country by a Governor-General, so to pay a courtesy call on my Head of State was quite an amazing experience’.
Mr. Richard Stone, Royal Portrait Painter to Her Majesty, The Queen and the Royal Family
Richard Stone has painted portraits of the Royal Family for nearly four decades. At the age of 22 he became Britain’s youngest royal portrait artist since Sir Thomas Lawrence painted Queen Charlotte in 1790 at the age of 21. Although he has had little formal art training, Richard Stone’s success is a direct result of a natural talent and a strong determination to succeed in the career he has pursued since childhood. Mr Stone began cultivating his talent following an accident at the age of four that left him with a fractured skull and permanent deafness in his right ear. The young artist began sketching in a notebook and later painted to communicate with his family and teachers, demonstrating a keen sense of perspective and mixing colours. Currently, Richard is putting the finishing touches to his latest Royal portraits of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh, H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, and H.R.H. The Duke of York. However, much of his time is occupied painting the companion piece to William Frith’s 1863 masterpiece, of The Prince of Wales’s Wedding. In June 1999, Richard was commissioned by Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex, to paint a ten foot by seven foot canvas to record their wedding and all the principle guests. The finished work is expected to hang at Buckingham Palace. Unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in 1992, his portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II is his most famous work. Commissioned by the burghers of Colchester, the eight foot by five foot canvas hangs today in the town’s Moot Hall, and represents three years work and some seven sittings. The portrait has been hailed as one of the finest painted during Her Majesty’s reign.
Sir David Amess,
Member of Parliament for Her Majesty’s Government of The United Kingdom
Sir David Anthony Andrew Amess was knighted in the 2015 New Years Honours List. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1983, first for Basildon and since 1977 for Southend West. An avid supporter of the British Monarchy, Sir David has pledged his support for and efforts to help promote the aims and actions of the British Monarchist Society and Foundation. Sir David has had a very successful career in the Commons, having had a great deal of legislative success during his 30+ years in Parliament. He has sponsored: the Horses and Ponies Bill in 1984-5; the Members of Parliament (Minimum Age) Bill 1984-85; the Abortion (Right of Conscience) (Amendment) Bill 1988-89; the British Nationality (Hon. Citizenship) Bill 1988-89; the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 1989-90; the Dogs Bill 1989-90; the Pet Animals (Amendment) Bill 1990-91; the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988; the Human Fertilisation (Choice) Bill 1992-93; the Voluntary Personal Security Cards Bill 1992-93; the Football Matches (Violent and Disorderly Conduct) Bill 1992-93; the Newly Qualified Drivers Bill 1993-94; the Coercion in Family Planning (Prohibition) Bill 1994-95; the Freezing of Human Embyros Bill 1995-96; the Abortion (Amendment) Bill 1996-97; the Reform of Quarantine Regulations Bill 1997-98; and the Voluntary Personal Security Cards Bill 1997-98. Two of his most notable achievements to date are the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act (1988), and the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act (2000), both of which are on the statute book in his name. Sir David is a steadfast and staunch supporter of the British Monarchist Society and Foundation.
Ms. Patti Boulaye, O.B.E.
International Recording Artiste, Actor, West End Star, Choreographer and Producer
Patti Boulaye is an international recording artiste, West End star, actor, painter, choreographer, producer, wife and a proud mother of two children. While holidaying in Britain during her teens she was launched into show business by a strange twist of fate. Patti saw this as providence and set about learning all she could about every aspect of the entertainment industry. Patti is unique in her study of local customs, so that she can best understand the people she entertains, even going as far as learning their national anthems and popular local music. Her tours have included Japan, Far Eastern countries, USA, Africa, and Europe. Over the years, Patti has tirelessly worked for charities being on the committee of eight British charities and a patron of five, including on the Board of Governors of British American Drama Academy (BADA), Eastside Educational Trust, Barnardo’s and Women Into Business.
Patti is also a Founder Member of the Patron’s (Prince Michael of Kent) Enterprise Club for GENESIS the facilitator organisation for the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the promotion of Small Business Patti was invited to join the official Golden Jubilee Entertainment Committee for HM the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, as a member of the committee Patti got together and led 5000 strong gospel choir for the 4th June Jubilee procession down the Mall in front of Her Majesty the Queen in June 2002. She also wrote a song “Jubilee Song (Celebrate Good News)” as a tribute, which enabled the 5000 singers to dance and sing during the Procession. “Patti and her choir put on a truly amazing display as they joined thousands of other performers in front of the crowds, world’s press and media and the millions of people who tuned in to their televisions to watch the climax to the Jubilee Weekend Celebrations”.
Mr. Christian Cardell Corbet, PPCPA, CGAM, FIDEM, BAMS, FA, FRSA, Royal Sculptor
Sculptor, painter, forensic artist, art historian and benefactor, Christian Cardell Corbet is one of Canada’s most distinguished portrait artists. His work depicts noteworthy personages from Canada and throughout the world. Employing traditional and masterfully crafted techniques, Corbet’s portraits convey his sitters’ unique features. Historical subjects or living legends, Corbet’s images transcend time and alert us to each individual’s identity and significance. As “Forensic Artist-in-Residence, University of Western Ontario,” Corbet has created extraordinary facial reconstructions from Egyptian mummies to 20th century subjects. One of Corbet’s most notable forensic projects, in conjunction with the Canadian Department of National Defence, is considered a world first in its use of stable isotopes combined with facial reconstruction to identify an unknown soldier from the Great War.The resurrected portrait of Private Thomas Lawless is housed in the Canadian War Museum.
The portrait bust of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG KT was created in 2013 to mark the 60th Anniversary of The Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR). Col (Ret’d) W. J. Aitchison, OMM CD Colonel of the Regiment commissioned Christian Cardell Corbet as sculptor for this historical portrait. Corbet was chosen based on his notable past achievements, loyalty to the Crown and the Duke of Edinburgh personally approved Corbet to sculpt his portrait. The portrait bust was created from life-sittings at Buckingham Palace which took place in early 2013. The sitting was the first portrait The Duke of Edinburgh sat for in the year and took place one day after the The Duke became the longest living living male member of British Royal Family in history. Corbet is regarded as the first Canadian artist to sculpt an authorized commissioned portrait of The Duke of Edinburgh from life.
Mr. Robert Kennedy, Executive Chef – Her Majesty’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst
As an Executive Chef in Defence Catering, Rob is based at the world famous Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Rob is no stranger to working at the highest culinary tier. His exciting chef career has seen him develop and serve up “Great British Menu’s” for Celebrities and Royal International dignitaries. Rob has cooked for HM Queen five times at prestige events including the Sovereigns Parade for the Royal Princes and the 2012 Royal jubilee at Windsor Castle. Rob’s passionate and enthusiastic character is empathised in his dishes, which are described as classic recipes with a modern exciting twist”. Robs love for food started as a young boy working on his grandparent’s farm, helping his grandmother in the kitchen. Now at the peak of his culinary career Rob has travelled to Erfurt in Germany twice to represent Compass UK and Ireland at the culinary Olympic Games, bringing home both Gold and Silver medals.
These accolades are part of a long line of 85 culinary awards rob has achieved in the last ten years. Rob has been nominated top three in the country, in three different categories at the UK Craft Guild of Chefs Awards, winning Cost Sector Chef of the Year in 2010. Rob is currently a member of the National culinary team of England. Rob represented England at last year’s culinary world cup, bringing home the silver medal. Award winning Chef Rob uses his experience and expertise to judge at various cooking competitions throughout the UK. As a regular personality at food shows Rob has presented cooking demonstrations at London Excel, Kensington Olympia, Surrey County Show, Earls Court London and the NEC Birmingham. Rob has also appeared on various television channels including BBC2, Channel 4 and sky TV. Rob continues to impress and is recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting Chefs leading the Prestige dining for HM British Forces.
Dr. Vincent Wong – Celebrity Harley Street Aesthetics Surgeon
Dr. Vincent Wong is an award-winning, Save Face accredited, advanced medical aesthetics doctor who specialises in non-surgical cosmetic treatments. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Medicine (First Class Honours) from the University of St. Andrews, and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Aberdeen. He is a member of the European College of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery and he is part of the editorial board for Aesthetic Medicine magazine. In 2013/4, he was also a member of the Advisory Panel for Safety in Beauty, a campaign to raise standards across the beauty industry.
A pioneer in his field, Dr. Vincent was one of the first doctors to use Iovera or ‘Frotox’, the original toxin-free, anti-wrinkle treatment. As well as practising from his Harley Street and London Bridge clinics, Dr. Vincent is also the official aesthetics doctor at London’s Bvlgari Hotel. Prior to completing his medical aesthetics training, Dr. Vincent gained extensive experience in general surgery, dermatology and plastic surgery. Committed to the highest standards of aesthetics treatment, Dr. Vincent runs regular training courses and workshops for healthcare professionals, and mentors junior colleagues. He also presents his work and research at national and international conferences, including FACE (Facial Aesthetic Conference and Exhibition), and those hosted by the British Association of Plastics, Reconstructive and Aesthetics Surgeons (BAPRAS), and the British Association of Dermatology (BAD). Sought after for his expert opinion, Dr. Vincent has featured in popular press and on television channels, including Sky TV, Fox TV, Levant TV, Fashion TV and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on various radio chat shows, including BBC Radios.
Mr. Sarbel Michael
British-born International Greek Celebrity and Singing Sensation
Sarbel was named after the Maronite Saint Charbel and his name is correctly pronounced ″Sharbel″, but since standard Greek lacks a ″sh″ sound, it is pronounced ″Sarbel″ according to the Greek transliteration (″Σαρμπu03adλ″). He was born on the 14th May in Southgate London where he grew up and received a Jesuit education at St Ignatius College in Enfield. Sarbel started his professional career at the age of 5, where was renowned for his angelic 5–Octave Vocal Range. Until the age of 16, he performed in various Operas with the English National Opera and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. He also recorded Tosca in English for Chandos Recordings as the Shepherd Boy. Sarbel continued his Classical training and performances under the guidance of Opera Singer and Tutor Ms. Jenny Lillestone.
At 18, Sarbel went to Crete during his gap year, where he sang at the Heraklion Palladium for an English touring Company. Sarbel went on to study Music at University but in the final year of his degree returned to Athens, Greece on Erasmus. It was whilst he was attended Athens University studying Ancient Theatre that he was discovered by Yiannis Doulamis (Producer with SonyBMG Greece) who signed him for a six-year recording contract. Sarbel enjoys a wonderful music career, having released in 2004/2005 – Parakseno Sinesthima, 2006 – Sahara and in 2008 – Kati San Esena.
2007 – Eurovision Song Contest – On February 28, 2007 Sarbel performed the song live against the two singers for the ticket to Helsinki. Although the performance had some sound problems, he went on to gain the majority of combined televotes and jury votes, therey winning the contest. Following his win, Sarbel toured Europe to promote his song. He also filmed the video clip for the song and changed the scene performance around a bit. The song eventually won 7th place for Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in what was later labelled “the year the original Eurovision Song Contest died” due to the bloc voting. Greece was the only Western European Country left in the top 16 of that year.
POLITICAL PATRONS
Honorary Members, Friends and Supporters