EXCLUSIVE: ‘King of Glories’ Sir Nicholas Coleridge, godfather of Cara Delevingne, becomes Provost of Eton
He counts model Cara Delevingne among his goddaughters, divides his time between a £6million Chelsea house and a Worcestershire country estate and was delighted to be knighted by King Charles this year.
But it is only now, at the age of 66, that ‘king of glossy magazines’ Sir Nicholas Coleridge – who spent decades at Condé Nast at the helm of Tatler, Vogue and a magazine empire – has secured the award which, some say, closest came heart.
As I can reveal, he will be Provost of Eton, whose graduates include Princes William and Harry, a number of living and 18 dead Prime Ministers, and generations of Sir Nicholas’ own family.
The position of provost, held by former Cabinet Secretary Lord Waldegrave, who is stepping down next year, is roughly equivalent to the position of head of governor in less prestigious institutions.
In practice it is far more significant as it is responsible for the ‘good government’ of Eton which was established in 1440 and whose dues are £50,000 a year.
“King of Glosses” Sir Nicholas Coleridge – whose goddaughters include model Cara Delevingne – becomes provost of Eton. He and Cara are pictured together at the 2012 British Fashion Awards dinner in London
Spending his time between a £6million Chelsea home and a Worcestershire country estate, Sir Nicholas Coleridge (pictured in February) was delighted to be knighted by King Charles this year
Under Waldegrave, who has been provost since 2009, the role has grown in scope and some suspect it now eclipses that of headmaster Simon Henderson – the youngest ever Eton boss when he was appointed in 2015 aged 39 became.
He is now known as “Trendy Hendy” because of his “bright” views. Three years ago, under controversial circumstances, he fired a popular champion, Will Knowland.
Sir Nicholas, rarely at a loss for words, declines to discuss his triumph.
“The official announcement will be next month,” says my Eton mole, implying that Coleridge is “a master tactician” who, after leaving the world of glossy magazines, became V&A chairman, “then ran the Queen’s Jubilee competition and attained the coveted knighthood”.
Coleridge, he adds, will make the most of The Provost’s Lodge, a crenellated house with a paneled dining room.
‘That’s great. He will move the epicenter of London’s Beau Monde to Eton.’