ANNABEL'S

Enduring allure of the nightclub famed for its exclusivity and discretion

- BY JACKIE ARNETT

ANNABEL'S has reigned supreme as the most exclusive nightclub in London for 62 years — a haven of hedonism for celebrities, politicians and royalty. It is said to be the only nightclub where the late Queen Elizabeth II ever set foot. She first popped in for cocktails in 1967 and later joined the 70th birthday celebration of her Lady of the Bedchamber, Virginia Ogilvy, in 2003, enjoying her usual gin martini, no lemon.

Sarah Ferguson and Princess Diana dressed up as policewomen to try to sneak into the then Prince Andrew's stag do in 1986, only to find the bash had moved to another venue.

But times have changed and it is now claimed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his ex-wife are no longer allowed in following their association with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

They had been welcome to come and go as they pleased at the private club in Mayfair despite not being members like their daughters Beatrice and Eugenie, who both pay £3,750 a year for the privilege.

In June 1963, when Annabel's opened its doors, its owner reportedly insisted it must "smell of exclusivity and sex", and its membership was by invitation only.