tatler.com Tatler August 2019BYS TA NDE R
LIVINGsearching for cups in the
freshly organised cupboards
of her new kitchen in
Suffolk, 36-year-old TV presenter
Francesca Cumani pauses to mention
that the Queen recently ‘popped by
for a cup of tea’.
Her Majesty had been visiting
her racehorses in nearby Newmarket,
and decided to pay an impromptu
visit to Fittocks Stud, home to
Francesca’s father, the legendary
horse trainer Luca Cumani, and his
wife Sara. The Queen wanted to wish
Luca a happy retirement after an
illustrious 43 years in the saddle.
Which, given the circumstances,
was a lovely, if terrifying, prospect.
‘They were given just 10 minutes
warning before she arrived,’ Francesca
smiles, her blue eyes sparkling. ‘And
my parents had just moved into
their house – there were packing
boxes everywhere. I think it was a
case of, “Do come in, excuse the
mess,”’ she laughs, conjuring up
images of the Queen perched on
bubble wrap while a game of Hunt
the Kettle ensued.
Until recently, the Cumani family
lived at Bedford House Stables, a
historic Grade II listed red-brick ]Fame, divorce, dynasties:
Francesca Cumani’s life
has been a wild ride
recently. Danielle Lawler
meets the presenter on
her new home groundPhotographed by HARRY SOAMES
Styled by FREDERICA LOVELL-PANKonehorsecrownLEAD THE FIELD
Francesca Cumani, known
in racing circles as the Paddock
Princess (with her new foal in
the background)08-19BYST-Home-Francesca.indd 53 03/06/2019 13:51
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