MODELLING HER LATEST BEACHWEAR COLLECTION ‘My son’s the bee’s IN SUNNY MARRAKECH knees. I’m praying he’ll be a good teenager. I ELIZABETH HURLEY was a horror so we’ll ON ENJOYING THE SINGLE LIFE, BEING have to see’ MUM TO A TEENAGER AND HER SECRETS FOR A BIKINI-READY BODY

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 ntil a year ago, Elizabeth Hurley would 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 Uhave described herself as a serial dater. 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” 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. remains a devoted father-figure to Damian; and exotic embroidered kaftans.” what I enjoy most. We’re very close and he’s great So when The Royals star – who plays Queen Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who was What are your secrets to looking and feeling company. We howl with laughter the whole time. Helena in the deliciously scandalous E! soap engaged to the star until they split in 2013, said beautiful on the beach? I pray he’ll be a good teenager but I was a horror – flew to Marrakech to model her new recently on Australia’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me out “Most women dread bikini season but there are a so we’ll have to see.” beachwear collection, Damian was first to join of Here! that they were “great mates.” As for what few things you can do to make it less painful. I Does he ever give you advice on your social in the fun, helping to direct some of the Elizabeth looks for in a man, she gets straight to feel better if I’m tanned so I anoint myself with a media activity? photos and shoot behind-the-scenes footage. the point: “I like clever, funny men with good self-action tanner before braving the beach. You “Damian bosses me around non-stop about what “Spending time with my son is what I enjoy teeth.” don’t have to be skinny to look good but having I should be posting. He begs me daily for a public doing the most,” she tells hello!, revealing Tell us about your latest beachwear the right cover-up helps you feel more confident.” Instagram account; I’m making him wait until Queen of the beach bodies Elizabeth her pride in Damian’s interest in directing photoshoot, Elizabeth… Was Damian involved in the shoot? he’s 16.” models one of her trademark white and cinematography, “He’s developing quite “It was a blast. We shot at Marrakech’s La “We shot just after Christmas so he was still off Will he follow in your footsteps? “gorgeous new one-pieces” in an eye.” Mamounia Hotel, which has to be one of the school, which meant he could come with us. He “He loves showbusiness, so we’ll see. Like every Marrakech. The model mum was Elizabeth’s love life has always been a world’s most luxurious. The stunning grounds took lots of backstage footage and stills. He’s mum, I just want him to be happy and to have his joined on the shoot by her son source of public fascination, particularly her have something new to see everywhere you turn.” developing quite an eye. I persuaded him to be creativity blossom. He’s a bit of a despot when Damian. “Spending time with him is ability to turn her relationships into lasting What do you love about the collection? in a few shots. shooting his own mini-movies so he could end what I enjoy doing most,” the friendships. She and film star are “Although I have access to a vast array of “It felt a bit strange initially to be shooting with up behind the camera. actress and swimwear designer tells best friends, years after their 13-year beachwear, there are pieces I always pack. Some a young man instead of a little boy. He’s taller “I’ve always been like an adoring Italian hello!. “He’s great company. We romanced ended, and godparents to each of the collection is based on these key pieces, than me. One of his ambitions is to be able to kiss mother and think my son’s the bee’s knees. howl with laughter the whole time” other’s children; her ex-husband Arun Nayar which means a lot of white, supplemented by the top of my head. Spending time with him is The proudest I’ve been of him was when he

42 HELLO! MIDDLE EAST HELLO! MIDDLE EAST 43 ‘I miss the cosy part of living with someone but at least I don’t have to endure sport on TV’

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 and 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 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. 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. ” Shane says you are still great mates. How important is it to you to remain friends with exes? “When children are involved, it’s very important. Plus, my exes were my best friends so it would be bizarre not to see them, as they’re like family. Damian adores Uncle Hugh and Arun plays a major role in his life. I love everyone getting on and hold my exes in the highest regard.” You split your time between your home in West London and Donnington Hall in … “I’m lucky to have the best of both worlds but I do love the privacy of the country. I switch off and spend hours reading, gardening and playing with my son and dogs. I’m obsessed with gardens and would love to have a beautiful one.” You’ve been an ambassador for Estée Lauder for 22 years. What makes that partnership so special? “I consider myself lucky beyond belief to have worked for Estée Lauder for so long. I adore my work as global ambassador. My work with our Breast Cancer Awareness campaign also means a great deal. Research scientists in London at The Royal Marsden Hospital and Institute of Cancer share a grant in my name based on funds we have raised.” Any future plans? “I’d love to do some really interesting, independent movies. I’m ready for a In the exotic grounds of La challenge. In the Chinese zodiac we have just Mamounia Hotel in Marrakech. A entered the year of the Fire Monkey. keen gardener herself, Elizabeth According to my Wing Chun teacher, it’s has grand horticultural plans for going to be a good one. I can’t wait.” H her home in Herefordshire. “Friends give me plants and I INTERVIEW: MICHELLE JOHNSON Elizabeth remains on excellent terms with her exes, Hugh Grant, Arun Nayar and Shane Warne. PHOTOS: PASCAL CHEVALIER spend hours poring over gardening Currently single, she says she would never consider online dating: “I like my dates to be verified books,” she says. “This year I hope STYLING: NATHALIE RIDDLE by someone I trust and am wary of strangers.” So who would be her perfect date? “I like clever, HAIR : CYRIL LALOUE to visit as many beautiful gardens funny men with good teeth” MAKE-UP: KELLY CORNWELL USING ESTEE LAUDER as possible to get ideas” ALL CLOTHES: ELIZABETH HURLEY BEACH AVAILABLE AT BLOOMINGDALES DUBAI OR ELIZABETHHURLEY.COM. LOCATION: LA MAMOUNIA, MARRAKECH LOCATION: BLOOMINGDALES DUBAI OR ELIZABETHHURLEY.COM. AT ALL CLOTHES: ELIZABETH HURLEY BEACH AVAILABLE 44 HELLO! MIDDLE EAST HELLO! MIDDLE EAST 45