MODELLING HER LATEST BEACHWEAR COLLECTION IN SUNNY MARRAKECH ELIZABETH HURLEY ON ENJOYING THE SINGLE LIFE, BEING MUM TO A TEENAGER AND HER SECRETS FOR A BIKINI-READY BODY

ntil a year ago, Elizabeth UHurley would have described herself as a serial dater. Now the stunning 50-year-old actress, model and swimwear designer is focusing on just one man in her life: her 13-year-old son Damian. So when The Royals star – who plays Queen Helena in the deliciously scandalous E! soap – flew to Marrakech to model her Queen of the beach bodies new beachwear collection, Damian Elizabeth models one of her was first to join in the fun, helping trademark white “gorgeous new to direct some of the photos and one-pieces” in Marrakech. The shoot behind-the-scenes footage. model mum was joined on the “Spending time with my son is shoot by her son Damian. what I enjoy doing the most,” she “Spending time with him is what I tells hello!, revealing her pride in 2 enjoy doing most,” the actress and Damian’s interest in directing and swimwear designer tells hello!. cinematography (he works behind “He’s great company. We howl the scenes on The Royals when he’s with laughter the whole time” ‘My son’s the bee’s knees. I’m praying he’ll be a good teenager. I was a horror so we’ll have to see’

Thirteen-year-old Damian, who has inherited his mum’s striking looks, helped direct photos on the fashion shoot in Morocco and has also taken behind-the-scenes footage for his mother’s TV show The Royals. “He’s developing quite an eye,” says Elizabeth proudly. “He’s bigger than me now and it felt a bit strange to be shooting with a young man instead of a little boy. One of his ambitions is to be able to kiss the top of my head”

home from boarding school). “He’s said he had found Elizabeth and something new to see everywhere action tanner before braving the developing quite an eye.” Hugh’s continuing closeness awkward you turn.” beach. You don’t have to be skinny to Elizabeth’s love life has always been while he and the actress were together). What do you love about the collection? look good but having the right cover- a source of public fascination, As for what Elizabeth looks for in a “Although I have access to a vast array up helps you feel more confident.” particularly her ability to turn her man, she gets straight to the point: “I of beachwear, there are pieces I always Was Damian involved in the shoot? relationships into lasting friendships. like clever, funny men with good pack. Some of the collection is based “We shot just after Christmas so he She and film star are teeth.” But despite her active social on these key pieces, which means a was still off school, which meant he best friends, years after their 13-year media presence, she wouldn’t consider lot of white, supplemented by exotic could come with us. He took lots of romanced ended, and godparents to online dating. “Definitely not! I like embroidered kaftans. We’ve got some backstage footage and stills. He’s each other’s children; her ex-husband my dates to be verified by someone I gorgeous new one-pieces, as well as developing quite an eye. I persuaded Arun Nayar remains a devoted father- trust. I’m wary of strangers…” plenty of itsy-bitsy bikinis.” him to be in a few shots. figure to Damian; and Australian Tell us about your latest beachwear What are your secrets to looking and “It felt a bit strange initially to be cricketer Shane Warne, who was photoshoot, Elizabeth… feeling beautiful on the beach? shooting with a young man instead of engaged to the star until they split in “It was a blast. We shot at Marrakech’s “Most women dread bikini season but a little boy. He’s taller than me. One 2013, said recently on Australia’s I’m a La Mamounia Hotel, which has to be there are a few things you can do to of his ambitions is to be able to kiss 3 Celebrity… Get Me out of Here! that they one of the world’s most luxurious. make it less painful. I feel better if I’m the top of my head. Not sure s were “great mates” (though he also The stunning grounds have tanned so I anoint myself with a self- how I’ll feel about that. Spending ‘I miss the cosy part of living with someone but at least I don’t have to endure sport on TV’

time with him is what I enjoy most. We’re very close and he’s great company. We howl with laughter the whole time. I pray he’ll be a good teenager but I was a horror so we’ll have to see.” Does he ever give you advice on your social media activity? “Damian bosses me around non- stop about what I should be posting. He begs me daily for a public Instagram account; I’m making him wait until he’s 16. However, he is going to start the definitive public Royals fan account this summer when we shoot season three.” Will he follow in your footsteps? “He loves showbusiness, so we’ll see. Like every mum, I just want him to be happy and to have his creativity blossom. He’s a bit of a despot when shooting his own mini-movies so he could end up behind the camera. “I’ve always been like an adoring Italian mother and think my son’s the bee’s knees. The proudest I’ve been of him was when he starred in Jesus Christ Superstar at school. He was terrific and I sobbed all the way through it. “He loves being on The Royals set. The crew are very patient with him and he feels very at home. We shoot over the school summer holidays so he’s there pretty much every day. He runs lines with all the actors, has a razor-sharp memory and knows episodes backwards. He inundates the writers with script ideas.” Queen Helena is such a fun, wild character. Do you see anything of yourself in her? “I hope not too much as she’s a cunning, manipulative diva. She’s passionate about everything she cares for – as am I – but I wouldn’t do half the things she does. I wouldn’t mind telling people to ‘walk away’ sometimes, though.” What’s it like working with your on- screen mum, Dame ? “Joan is an absolute joy. We’d long wanted to work together and were thrilled when this chance came up. I couldn’t have a better screen mummy. She is great fun and has astonishing vitality. I feel inspired by her energy and joie de vivre.” You described yourself as a “serial dater”. Do you enjoy being single? “Since Shane, I haven’t been in a serious relationship, but I’ve had a lot of fun and spend much more time with family and friends. I miss the cosy part of living with someone – I’ve never lived alone before – but it has its benefits, like not having to endure constant sport on TV. No, it wasn’t Shane, I don’t mind cricket. Arun and Hugh were football mad. The noise drove me insane.” Shane says you are still great mates. 4 How important is it to you to Elizabeth remains on excellent terms with her exes, Hugh Grant, Arun Nayar and Shane Warne. Currently remain friends with exes? s single, she says she would never consider online dating: “I like my dates to be verified by someone I trust “When children are involved, and am wary of strangers.” So who would be her perfect date? “I like clever, funny men with good teeth” In the exotic grounds of La Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech. A keen gardener herself, Elizabeth has grand horticultural plans for her home in . “Friends give me plants and I spend hours poring over 5 gardening books,” she says. “This year I hope to visit as many beautiful gardens as possible to get ideas” ‘Damian adores Uncle Hugh and Arun plays a major role in his life. I hold my exes in the highest regard’ ALL CLOTHES: ELIZABETH HURLEY BEACH FROM ELIZABETHHURLEY.COM. LOCATION: LA MAMOUNIA, MARRAKECH LOCATION: ALL CLOTHES: ELIZABETH HURLEY BEACH FROM ELIZABETHHURLEY.COM.

The 50-year-old beauty, who is back on our small screens as Queen Helena in E! drama The Royals, would love to do some interesting, independent films – “I’m ready for a challenge.” Meanwhile, she enjoys “switching off” in her country home, reading, gardening and playing with her son and dogs

it’s very important. Plus, my exes were my best “I’m lucky to have the best of both worlds but I do grant in my name based on funds we have raised.” friends so it would be bizarre not to see them, as love the privacy of the country. I switch off and spend Any future plans? they’re like family. Damian adores Uncle Hugh and hours reading, gardening and playing with my son “I’d love to do some really interesting, independent Arun plays a major role in his life. I love everyone and dogs. I’m obsessed with gardens and would love movies. I’m ready for a challenge. In the Chinese getting on and hold my exes in the highest regard.” to have a beautiful one. I’m trying to turn this one zodiac we have just entered the year of the Fire Were you surprised by Shane’s comments that he round. I have lots of dreams and plans.” Monkey. According to my Wing Chun teacher, found Hugh’s sleepovers at your house difficult? You’ve been an ambassador for Estée Lauder for it’s going to be a good one. I can’t wait.” H “I am not too keen on publicly commenting on 22 years. What makes that partnership so special? other people’s private matters and thoughts. It was “I consider myself lucky beyond belief to have INTERVIEW: MICHELLE JOHNSON a great joy that Hugh and Arun got on so well and worked for Estée Lauder for so long. I adore my PHOTOS: PASCAL CHEVALIER we spent many happy holidays and special occasions work as global ambassador. My work with our Breast STYLING: NATHALIE RIDDLE HAIR : CYRIL LALOUE 6 with my son, like the extended family that we were.” Cancer Awareness campaign also means a great MAKE-UP: KELLY CORNWELL USING ESTEE LAUDER You split your time between your home in West deal. Research scientists in London at The Royal London and Donnington Hall in Herefordshire… Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer share a The Royals is on E! on Wednesday nights at 9pm.