V.I.P. PASS

Our society editor at large, the Marchioness of Bath, gives us an exclusive glimpse of the glamour, gowns and A-list parties at Cannes

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In my social diary, May always means the Cannes Film Festival: a social whirl of red-carpet premieres, high-fashion moments and catch-ups with celebrities such as Rihanna. This is my sixth time at this glittering event - and it’s more hectic than ever.

As well as attending the Vanity Fair x IHG Beach Lunch, I have a video shoot for the Carlton hotel, followed by the red carpet for the festival’s opening ceremony. All of this on the same day — and I'm being followed by a film crew for a forthcoming TV project.

I arrive at my elegant two-bedrooom apartment at the Carlton, where below the terrace a drinks reception is taking place by the swimming pool before the festival truly kicks off.

I chat to festival first-timers Fabien Frankel (from House of the Dragon) and actor Harrison Osterfield — also known as Tom Holland’s best friend — over drinks. I also join actress Julia Garner for dinner, where we talk all things fashion; she’s incredibly stylish.

The opening day dawns, and first on the itinerary is the spectacular Vanity Fair x IHG event at the Carlton Cannes Beach Club. They've provided gorgeous parasols, and Nava Mau ~ star of Baby Reindeer, who's celebrating her birthday — and I strike a pose with them.

Lunch itself is a fun, sunny affair with much laughter where some of the attendees recall the “vintage” years and recount stories from the past to the young stars who are here for the first time.