For a long time, spending Christmas at Claridge’s with Darcy and George was high on my bucket list. As soon as local Covid restrictions eased in 2021, I made the dream a reality. The Christmas jumpers were ready, and the magical itinerary awaited—choristers singing in the Foyer, a reading of The Night Before Christmas by the fireplace, a horse-drawn carriage ride through Mayfair, and even a visit from Father Christmas. As a Christmas enthusiast, it was everything I had envisioned, made even more special by having my two lovelies by my side.
But life had other plans. Just days before our Christmas Eve check-in, our world shifted. A rushed visit to the vet revealed Darcy had two tumours. We didn’t know how much time we had left with her. Despite everything, her appetite never waned. And so we carried on with our Christmas plans. Claridge’s, as always, was extraordinary—everything I had dreamed of and more. Darcy and I even took the horse-drawn carriage ride through Mayfair, though George had to sit that one out (horses and George are not a peaceful mix!).
That, as it happened, was our last Christmas together.
Earlier that month, Darcy and I had an unforgettable Christmas lunch aboard the British Pullman, one of the Belmond Trains. It was a special request and the
The journey was followed with a visit to the Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square. The sight of over 20,000 illuminated white roses blanketing the square was breathtaking—a moment of pure serenity during a turbulent time.
Who could have known that a year later, George and I would return to the Ever After Garden to sponsor a rose in memory of Darcy? And the year after that, Lulu joined us.
Each year since, we’ve visited the iconic Claridge’s Christmas tree and paid our respects at the garden—a tradition that now feels sacred.
This year, I decided to bring it all together. We checked in at Claridge’s to witness the unveiling of their Christmas tree. It was such a blast and we got to meet Paul Smith.
In the second part of the day, we visited the Ever After Garden, honouring Darcy.
These moments have become our way of ushering in the festive season and our own Christmas with Darcy.
Traditions have a way of anchoring us. They provide a pause to reflect, to remember, and to create new memories while cherishing the old. For me, this tradition is a bridge between the past and the present, a way to keep Darcy’s spirit alive in the magic of Christmas.
