Rita Ora at lavish London 30th birthday bash that saw her ‘fined’ £10,000
Pictured: Rita Ora at her lavish lockdown-flaunting 30th birthday bash that saw her ‘fined’ £10,000 – after she was forced to apologise for her ‘inexcusable error of judgement’ in holding restaurant party
- The singer, 30, invited group of celebrity friends to celebrate her birthday in London on Saturday night
- Supermodel Cara Delevingne, her sister Poppy and Miss Ora’s sister Elena spotted at Casa Cruz in Notting Hill
- Current national lockdown rules state that restaurants should be shut apart from for takeaway services
- Police were seen knocking on windows around 9pm but staff refused to let them into the venue
- Miss Ora has apologised for a ‘serious and inexcusable error of judgment’ by throwing the party in lockdown
- Billionaire Francois Perrodo, the majority shareholder of the restaurant, said he had no idea the event was taking place
This is Rita Ora at the lavish 30th birthday bash that saw her and several celebrity friends break lockdown rules to ‘party into the early hours’ at a swanky London restaurant.
Pictures show the pop star enjoying a glamorous night out surrounded by A-list friends which has now been slammed as ‘selfish’ and ‘irresponsible’.
Supermodel Cara Delevingne, her sister Poppy and Miss Ora’s sister Elena were all spotted arriving at Notting Hill hotspot Casa Cruz on Saturday night.
The dolled-up guests walked in through the back of the restaurant to avoid using the main entrance, with some wearing face masks and carrying in bottles of alcohol.
It was initially reported that she had invited 30 friends to party ‘until the early hours’, but sources close to her have said it just seven.
At one point around 9pm, Met officers were seen peering in the windows after being called to check out the venue, but could not gain access after knocking on the windows and doors.
Later on, the weary guests emerged a few at a time from the same side door, drifting off to chauffeur-driven cars waiting nearby.
Miss Ora, who wore a sleek white satin dress and an oversized fur-lined coat to keep warm, wore a mask as she left. She was also seen enjoying an animated phone call as she got into a car with her sister.
Miss Ora has now apologised for what she has called a ‘serious and inexcusable error of judgment’ in going to the party during national lockdown, where no social mixing is allowed indoors.
Rita Ora has apologised for a ‘serious and inexcusable error of judgment’ after joining friends at a swanky London restaurant for her 30th birthday on Saturday night
Miss Ora, who had on a white satin dress and a fur-lined coat, wore a mask as she left after ‘partying into the early hours’ according to sources close to her
Supermodel Cara Delevingne (pictured), her sister Poppy and Miss Ora’s sister Elena were also at Notting Hill hotspot Casa Cruz on Saturday night.
Rita’s sister Elena (left) is seen arriving with former The Only Way Is Essex star Vas Morgan holding on to bottles of alcohol
A-list arrivals: Model Poppy Delevingne was among those attending the birthday party for Miss Ora, who has enjoyed a week of celebrations
Several people were seen entering and leaving the venue throughout the night. It was claimed up to 30 people were in attendance, a gathering only possible for a funeral under current restrictions. However friends suggests around seven people were present
At one point around 9pm, Met officers were seen peering in the windows after being called but could not gain access
In her apology message this morning, Miss Ora admitted: ‘Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday’
As police continued their investigation today, Miss Ora took to social media to admit attending the ‘small gathering’ on the ‘misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK’
The pop star – whose mother returned to the NHS frontline when the pandemic broke out – said: ‘I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness. Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sincerely apologise.’
It is claimed she has volunteered to pay a £10,000 fine, although any penalty issued would be against the owner of the premises, not the person hosting the party.
A source told The Sun: ‘Rita and her sister came to the restaurant first, all dolled up and clearly looking forward to a good night.
‘There were a number of guests, all dressed up very glamorously, and everyone entered the building through the back, with security watching the front to make sure no one else went in. It went on until the early hours.’
But following further information, police continued their investigation today, but without success as staff inside the restaurant seemed oblivious to officers’ efforts to get in this morning.
Nicholas Fallows, who is listed as the sole director of Casa Cruz London Ltd, insisted he was unaware of the event.
A source told The Sun: ‘Rita and her sister came to the restaurant first, all dolled up and clearly looking forward to a good night’. Pictured: Miss Ora exits the venue wearing a huge fur collared coat
The singer-songwriter was seen enjoying a phone call outside the Argentinian restaurant in the exclusive Notting Hill neighbourhood a short drive from her Holland Park home
Francois Perrodo, 43, who with his mother Carrie are among Britain’s richest business bosses with their £5.8billion fortune, is the majority shareholder in Casa Cruz. He has said he had no idea that the event was taking place at his restaurant during lockdown
Lady Mary Charteris and husband Robbie Furze are pictured leaving the party which was initially reported to be for 30 guests, but sources close to Miss Ora claim only seven people were in attendance
Model Poppy Delevingne was seen walking into the restaurant in a white fur coat while clutching a bottle
Former TOWIE star Vas Morgan is spotted by a car next to the restaurant, carrying some bottles believed to be for the event
Today Miss Ora said of the party: ‘It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK. I’m deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk’
Keep it chilled! A man arrives at the restaurant’s backdoor with several bags of ice
The PM’s spokesman said: ‘It’s important everybody in society sets an example by following the rules – including celebrities.’
The breach was a far cry from Rita’s actions earlier this year, when she launched coronavirus safety merchandise, emblazoned with the logo ‘Stop the spread’.
But in her apology this morning she admitted: ‘Hello all, I attended a small gathering with some friends to celebrate my 30th birthday.
‘It was a spur of the moment decision made with the misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK. I’m deeply sorry for breaking the rules and in turn understand that this puts people at risk.
‘This was a serious and inexcusable error of judgement. Given the restrictions, I realise how irresponsible these actions were and I take full responsibility.
Police officers called to the scene were spotted knocking on the windows and at one point can be heard saying ‘we know you’re in there’. However no one is seen answering the door to them
Later on the attendees are seen exiting one at a time and hopping into cars before driving off
Poppy Delevigne grabs for her car door after enjoying a night celebrating with her sister and Miss Ora
Supermodel Cara Delevingne (bottom) is seen leaving Casa Cruz with a male friend
Around 11 different friends were seen walking out of the venue after the party came to an end in the early hours
As police continued their investigation today, Miss Ora took to social media to admit attending the ‘small gathering’ on the ‘misguided view that we were coming out of lockdown and this would be OK’. Pictured: A police woman investigates near Rita Ora’s house in West London today
Police knocked at the door today but were not let in by staff who were inside the restaurant
Officers are still investigating the potential Covid regulations breach today after the weekend
Police attempts to get an answer at the restaurant today were might by silence at the door
‘I feel particularly embarrassed knowing first-hand how hard people have worked to combat this terrible illness and being fully aware of the sacrifices that people and businesses have made to help keep us all safe. Even though this won’t make it right, I want to sincerely apologise.’
A source close to Ora told MailOnline: ‘Rita knows her actions were wrong which is why she has voluntarily paid the £10,000 fine to the council. She hopes this will go some way to making up for her error of judgement.’
Kensington and Chelsea Council earlier confirmed it was investigating the party, with a spokesman saying: ‘We are aware of the reports and will be investigating them with the premises.’
Meanwhile residents living near the restaurant today told of their anger at the ‘selfish’ singer who apparently ignored the government restrictions to celebrate her birthday.
A man in his fifties whose home overlooks the restaurant said: ‘I hoped they are fined the maximum amount by the council. What is the point of having rules if they are going to be broken just because someone wants to hold a party.’
Another near neighbour, who lives on a council estate, adjacent to the restaurant added:’ It is one rule for the rich and the rest of us can stay in line. I didn’t hear anything on Saturday but they should not have held the party.
Ora urged people to ‘stop the spread’ of coronavirus when she stepped out wearing a self-designed motif T-shirt in March
Casa Cruz’s majority stakeholder is Francois Perrodo, who had no idea about the party
Big day: The singer has been celebrating her 30th in style over the weekend, with a source claiming that the event on Saturday night ‘went on until the early hours’ (pictured on Thursday)
‘Everyone is tired of this lockdown, but it is there because it can save lives. Ora and the others were just being selfish.’
It came as it was confirmed the billionaire owner of the restaurant where the star allegedly had the party had no idea the event was taking place.
Francois Perrodo, 43, who with mother Carrie are among Britain’s richest business bosses with their £5.8billion fortune, is the majority shareholder in Casa Cruz.
Mr Perrodo is a businessman and racing car driver and has competed in a number of races in his birth country of France.
His fortune comes from the oil and gas industry and he is the chairman of the Anglo-French company Perenco, which was founded by his late father Hubert.
A source told MailOnline this morning: ‘He had absolutely no idea this was being held there.’
The director of the restaurant also said they were in the dark on who had approved the party, deepening the mystery over who gave it the go-ahead.
Thirty people allegedly attended the secret bash on Saturday, which is named after Chile-born Juan Santa Cruz, who was the restaurateur originally behind the eatery.
Casa Cruz’s director Nicholas Fallows insisted on Sunday he too had not been aware of any plans for an event and the restaurant was ‘owned by shareholders’.
MailOnline can disclose it is owned by a firm called Casa Cruz London Limited.
At least 75 per cent of that belongs to Casa Cruz Holdings Limited, which Francois Perrodo is the majority shareholder.
His brother Bertrand and wine tycoon sister Nathalie are the only other people listed as having significant control of the firm.
The government again stressed the importance of abiding by restrictions on Sunday, ahead of the UK’s second national lockdown ending on December 2.
MailOnline has contacted Rita Ora, Cara and Poppy Delevingne, Vas J Morgan and Casa Cruz’s representatives for a comment.
The restaurant’s director Nicholas Fallows also told The Sun that he hadn’t been aware of any plans for an event and the restaurant was ‘owned by shareholders’.
Earlier the Met Police confirmed they had been called out on Saturday night to reports of a potential COVID-19 regulations breach in the area.
They told MailOnline: Police were called at 21:10hrs on Saturday, 28 November to reports of a potential breach of Covid regulations at a commercial premises in Clarendon Road, W11.
Officers attended and carried out enquiries at the scene. They found no record of any offence being committed.’
Current government guidelines say that people ‘minimise the time spent outside their home’ and avoid meeting others who they do not live with.
People should also avoid physical contact; being close and face-to-face; and shouting or singing close to others who do not share a home with you or who are not in the same support bubble.
Guestlist? It is thought that Cara Delevingne was one of the people who attended the bash (pictured February 2020)
Guidelines brought in with the national lockdown on November 5 also state that people must ‘not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household, meaning the people you live with, or your support bubble’.
Restaurants are also currently closed except for takeaway meals, with any breaking of these guidelines possibly ending up with a fine.
The rules are set to change on December 2, with many restrictions being dependent on which Tier the location ends up being in.
In London restaurants and cafes will be able to open from Wednesday. Pubs and bars can also open, but only if they are operating as restaurants with table service.
British legends: (L-R) Sirs Mick Jagger and Michael Caine also made appearances in a clip to celebrate her big day
All hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals and must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm, according to the government.
Rita has been celebrating her 30th birthday in style this week after marking the actual big day during lockdown on Thursday.
On Sunday she used the occasion as an opportunity to look back on decades past, when she took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps of herself as a child.
While on Saturday, the star was gifted quite the impressive keepsake – a video featuring an exhaustive list of stars wishing her a happy birthday.
Glamour: A glamorous Mariah Carey was one of the first stars to pop up onscreen in the video
The singer took to Instagram to share the impressive clip, which included appearances by Mariah Carey, Naomi Campbell, Mick Jagger, Michael Caine, Lionel Richie, and Vjosa Osmani, the acting president of Kosovo – to name a few.
She was also surprised by her parents, Besnik and Vera, who started off the proceedings by sharing snapshots of the star as a young girl as she celebrated various past birthdays.
With Stevie Wonder’s timeless classic Happy Birthday playing in the background, such celebrities as Cameron Diaz, Chelsea Handler, Idris Elba, Paris Hilton, Davina McCall, Liam Payne, Sam Smith, and Jonathan Ross also greeted the star.
After watching the clip with her parents, the birthday girl said: ‘That is a wicked video! Wow. Thank you so much to everyone who did that video. You guys have made me the happiest girl in the world. Thank you so much.’
Rita also took the opportunity to look back on decades past on Sunday, when she took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps of herself as a child.
So adorable: Rita also took the opportunity to look back on decades past on Sunday, when she took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps of herself as a child.
The Girls singer looked adorable in the images, which showed her at various ages as a youngster as she posed with her dad Besnik and 32-year-old sister Elena.
Captioning the shots, Rita wrote: ‘Guess I’ve always sort of been addicted to clothes even as a kid. So grateful to be able to share these with you guys.
‘Life goes by so fast so live your BEST LIVES even in these times try and find joy even from something like a photograph .’
Celebrating last Thursday, Rita was seen tucking into a creamy two-tier cake with the words ‘happy birthday Rita’ iced onto the front of the cake in pink lettering.
The media personality also appeared to have been gifted some flowers from Dior, judging by a bow which decorated the bouquet.
Pure joy: The Girls singer looked happy in the images, which showed her at various ages as a youngster as she posed with her dad Besnik and 32-year-old sister Elena
Rita captioned the gallery of snaps: ‘Me and cake and some trousers I couldn’t breathe in. Thank you for all the love it felt weird not doing anything for my bday so being me I dressed up and ate cake…
‘Also clock the hairspray on the table lol anyway thank you for everyone who showed me endless love on my born day I’m forever grateful you all know who you are.
‘Also clock the hairspray on the table lol anyway thank you for everyone who showed me endless love on my born day I’m forever grateful you all know who you are.
‘Today I’m going to finish the rest of my cake for breakfast lunch and dinner. Byeeeeeeeeee.’
Rita later shared a video of herself from the same day chatting to the camera, with the sound switched off so that what she was saying was inaudible.
She captioned the clip: ‘I wanna post this, I can’t tell you what I’m saying but I look cute.’