By Fiona Mcwhirter and Katie Nicholl


Purple patch: Pippa Middleton arrives at the wedding of close university friends Jake French and Rosie Laing

It was with her simple white outfit at the Royal Wedding earlier this year that Pippa Middleton first attracted worldwide attention.

But yesterday, while still stylish in an eye-catching purple shift dress, the Duchess of Cambridge’s younger sister chose to keep her much-admired curves discreetly hidden beneath a jacket.

Miss Middleton was at pains not to steal the limelight as she attended the wedding of two of her closest friends, Rose Laing and Jake French, in a tiny village in rural Scotland.

Standing out from the crowd, meanwhile, was clearly not a concern for Sophie Dahl, attending another of yesterday’s ¬society weddings, in the Cotswolds, where multi-millionaire entrepreneur Ben Elliot, 35, was marrying Mary-Clare Winwood, 24, the daughter of musician Steve Winwood.

The model-turned-television presenter wore a bright pink coat as she arrived at the church of St Peter and Paul’s in Northleach, Gloucestershire, with her diminutive husband, jazz pianist Jamie Cullum.

There was a Royal flavour to this occasion, too, as other guests included Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, whose son Tom Parker Bowles, was best man.

Despite gusty weather which nearly knocked off Camilla’s hat as she arrived, Charles appeared to be enjoying the day out, joking with villagers at the gate as he asked, ‘Is this the queue?’ and telling Camilla, ‘Silly girl!’ as she clutched her hat, covered with ostrich feathers.

But Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge were unable to attend either wedding as they were holidaying in Scotland. It is understood that they are staying with the Queen at Balmoral.

High colour: Sophie Dahl arrives with her husband Jamie Cullum


Pippa celebrated her 28th birthday last week with an Italian meal at Kensington restaurant Locanda Ottoemezzo on Wednesday.

Royal approval: Camilla, Prince Charles and Tom Parker Bowles watch as Ben Elliot kisses his bride, Steve Winwood's girl Mary-Clare

Stepping out: Ben Elliot and Mary-Clare Winwood

A triumph in tartan: Jake French and Rose Laing


Guest: Prince William's former girlfriend Jecca Craig

Friends say she wanted a low-key affair and dined with financier boyfriend Alex Loudon, William and Kate before heading home for cocktails.

Mr Loudon was not with her as she arrived at yesterday’s wedding in Murthly, Perthshire, just a few minutes before the bride, a friend from university.

The two women, along with Mr French, raised thousands of pounds for charity when they took part in the daunting Highland Cross duathlon in June.

But the running shorts and trainers were nowhere in sight yesterday as an array of colourful headpieces, dresses and tartan filled the modest, welcoming church.

Miss Laing, whose family live on the Baldarroch estate close to Murthly, was resplendent in a sweeping gown with lace sleeves. Miss Middleton wore a stylish purple fascinator on top of her wavy brown hair.

Among the other guests was Prince William’s former girlfriend Jecca Craig.

Wearing a knee-length blue pleated dress the 28-year-old looked thinner than her appearance at the Royal Wedding.

Excited villagers were keen to catch a glimpse of the Duchess’s sister.

One said: ‘Having Pippa here created a bit of a buzz. It’s exciting and a great thing to put our village on the map.’


Flashback: Pippa's curves made headlines when she was bridesmaid to her sister Kate in April


source:dailymail