Paul McCartney and bride Nancy Shevell honeymoon at Mick Jagger's private island retreat in Mustique
by Nick Owens, Sunday Mirror 16/10/2011
http://www.mirror.co.uk
Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell (Pic:INF)
Sir Paul McCartney has whisked new bride Nancy to the private island of Mustique for their honeymoon.
Locals believe the Beatle has borrowed Rolling Stone Mick Jagger’s luxury villa on the West Indies paradise island, where the rich and famous have holidayed in total seclusion since the bands’ heyday in the 1960s.
The Japanese-inspired beachfront mansion, called Stargroves, normally costs £10,000 a week.
One islander told the Sunday Mirror yesterday: “Sir Paul is a regular visitor to Mustique and has stayed before at the home of Mr Jagger.
“He loves the privacy the island offers and there is no better place to spend a honeymoon. Everyone will just leave them to enjoy their special time together.”
Sir Paul, 69, and Nancy Shevell, 51, who married at Westminster Register Office last Sunday, landed on Mustique late on Friday after flying from London via St Lucia.
They are thought to have immediately headed to Stargroves for a four-day break. They will then leave for a post-wedding party with Nancy’s family in New York.
Mustique – ¡a paparazzi-free island! – became a haven for celebrities after Princess Margaret began holidaying there with pal Lord Glenconner.
It has been a regular holiday spot for Sir Paul, but despite his huge wealth he has not bothered to buy a property there himself.
Jagger’s six-bedroom retreat is named after his former Hampshire home where the Stones recorded tracks for classic albums including Sticky Fingers and It’s Only Rock’n’Roll.
The sprawling villa overlooking L’Ansecoy Bay has stunning views of nearby islands, a hot tub in the master bedroom with its own sea views, plus a butler and private chef to prepare Sir Paul’s favourite vegetarian meals, which are served in an open-air pavilion.
There’s a 25ft swimming pool, a pond filled with giant Koi carp, and a floodlit tennis court as well as a pale-pink games room complete with a pool table in matching pink baize.
And down on the white sandy beach Sir Paul and Nancy, who are both fitness fanatics – they even went to the gym together on the morning of their wedding – have their own personal watersports instructor to take them jet-skiing.
Although the villa can be hired by anyone with the cash, guests have to provide their names, addresses and occupations to be personally vetted by Jagger himself. In the evenings, if the couple decide to venture out they can head to the island’s famous Basil’s Bar.
Run by Basil Charles, it has become a popular spot for celebrities such as Kate Moss, David Bowie and Liam Gallagher, all regulars on Mustique.
It is also a favourite of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, who have joined in karaoke sessions and are so fond of owner Basil that they invited him to their Royal Wedding.
Last night, Basil told the Sunday Mirror: “I’ve not seen Sir Paul yet but he’s been in a few times in the past.
“Everyone would love to see him and Nancy and raise a glass to the happy couple. I met them in February the last time they were here and they seemed so happy together.”
He added: “You never know he might even sing a song or two, which would be lovely.”
The island, which is leased from the St Vincent government, has 63 privately-owned villas and people are allowed to visit only with the express permission of one of the owners.
Patrolling security teams keep any unwelcome visitors away.
But the undoubted attraction for guests are the secluded beaches.
With clear blue sea and all-year sunshine on the island, they are among the best in the world.
Details of the honeymoon come seven days after Macca exchanged vows with American heiress Nancy at the register office in Central London.
Nancy was showered with confetti by fans as she and Sir Paul emerged as husband and wife. It was a far cry from his second marriage to Heather at a private castle and his first wedding to Linda Eastman in 1969, when screaming girl fans chased the wedding car in tears. The honeymoons were a world away too – with Linda, Sir Paul spent a fortnight in New York, while he and Heather went to a five-star Seychelles eco-resort.
Sir Paul’s latest wedding was a family affair. His son James was best man, daughter Mary designed the menu and took the official photographs, and fashion queen Stella designed thebride’s dress.
EMOTIONAL
Father-of-five Sir Paul used his website to pay tribute to everyone who sent goodwill messages, saying: “Nancy and I want to thank everybody for the wonderful greetings and messages of goodwill that we received.
“We had a really great day with family and friends; it was relaxed, fun, emotional, heartfelt and a total pleasure for the two of us and everyone involved.”
Mother-of-one Nancy was first married to US politician Bruce Blakeman, 53. The pair have a son, Arlen, 20.
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McCartney and Shevell honeymoon at Jagger's villa (Read 1,198 times)
