It's been veddy, veddy nice this week for Houston Symphony patrons joining the orchestra on its musical venture through the United Kingdom. They've enjoyed a private dinner aboard the British royal family's Royal Yacht Britannia, were treated to a private dinner in Edinburgh Castle, made a visit to St. Andrews, and, in London, viewed the Mounting of the Queen's Life Guard and toured the Household Cavalry at Knightsbridge.

No matter how sophisticated the travelers in this entourage, they had to be awed by these very special experiences. For example, during their evening aboard the Britannia, the Houstonians toured the royal family's staterooms and were more than surprised to find that Queen Elizabeth sleeps in "a tiny little twin-sized bed."

The group particularly enjoyed viewing the family photos that were on display throughout the yacht. Just ask Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Muffy and Mike McLanahan or Nancy and Bob Peiser. They were part of the Scotland group.

We are told that during the dinner at Edinburgh Castle, Houston Symphony maestro Hans Graf ordered haggis. It was ceremoniously presented by a parade of staff that was led into the dining room by a bagpiper. Not everyone was so eager to jump into the dish of sheep's heart, liver and lung. But some were game. Check with Joan and Marvin Kaplan and Dede and Connie Weil on that.

The tour of the stables at the Household Cavalry included up-close-and-personal moments with the horses, a treat for Mike Stude, Jan Barrow and Barbara McCelvey who were captivated by the royal steeds. Add to that adventure cocktails served in the Officer's Mess and lunch at the Table of Gentleman Offices, hosted by the Commanding Officer.

Obviously, the celebration of the symphony's first European tour in 10 years has been a success in more ways than one — including sellout houses, standing ovations and high critical praise for The Planets — An HD Odyssey.

On a mission

That would be Alana Hamilton Stewart, long-time friend of the late Farrah Fawcett, who now heads the foundation created in the star's memory to raise funds for cancer research. For several days, Stewart has been in town, where she graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School, meeting with doctors at M.D. Anderson and other researchers. She is here until Saturday when she heads back to home base in LA.

It wasn't all work and no play for the lithesome Stewart. At Lynn Wyatt's invitation, she was a guest at the Fashion Houston finale at Wortham Theater Center on Thursday night.

When Stewart received the invitation, she panicked. She had not brought any cocktail clothes. So she contacted her friends at Diane von Furstenberg in New York and they sent her down a shimmering cocktail dress. But, whoa, it was a bit too big. So off Stewart went to Tootsies on Thursday afternoon to have the dress quickly altered for that evening's festivities. She looked smashing.

Toasting Fashion Houston

Designers David Peck and Elaine Turner, who joined forces on the catwalk at Fashion Houston earlier this week, celebrated that partnership over bubbly in her flagship boutique in West University the following day. Peck's thoughtful collection was on display and available for pre-order while Turner's handbags and footwear offerings filled the shelves including custom shoes that Turner created in fabrics from Peck's CrOp collection.

Among those joining in the fashion fest were Peck's wife Michelle Phillips Peck, Jim Turner, Heather McLeskey, Jamie Collier, George Marshall Worthington, Blair Hollen Slaughter, Ashley Olson, Jennifer Kolker, Anne Walzel and Samira Salman.