The Rake

The world’s preeminent publication dedicated to the renaissance in gentlemanly sophistication and style, THE RAKE recaptures the codes of classic men’s elegance. Inspired by icons such as Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, the Duke of Windsor, Gianni Agnelli, Sean Connery, and their contemporary counterparts, THE RAKE provides incisive, in-depth commentary on magnificent menswear, and the many other elements of gentlemanly living, from manners and ethics, to art and design, tasteful travel, health and well-being, the intellectual and philosophical, to homes, modes of transport, entertainment, food and drink. THE RAKE is the modern voice of classic elegance.

Letter from the Founder

Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

Contributors

THE RAKE PTE LTD

arbiter • GEORGIAN ELEGANCE; WHAT A GUY; DUTCH COURAGE; IN ATTENDANCE; NEW DOG IN TOWN; GENTLEMEN, THE QUEEN.

THE LINE OF DUTY • Civil war in Europe. Hitler in the ascendancy. It is 1937, and the U.K. must proclaim its new king. Onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace steps George VI. Bertie, as he was known, has two challenges: leave behind his crippling trauma and usher the nation into an uncertain future.

GATSBY OF THE WEST END • Is it normal to be this stylish and debonair at the age of 27? We can’t even remember our twenties, so we asked the young aesthete Guy Belot instead…

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD, BERNHARD • There are royal consorts, and there is Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands. The German-born dandy stood six feet tall and loomed large not only in the war years but during Europe’s recovery. Two decades after his death he remains, as they say, a divisive figure.

THE SECRETARY WON’T SEE YOU NOW • Can you let other people get your way? Can you go unnoticed as the best-dressed commoner in the room? Then you are tailor-made for the Delphic role of royal courtier. Just don’t ask where you can apply.

GAME OF BONES

A BLOODY GRAND FINALE • How did she do it? How did she turn the nation’s affections towards her after years of rejection? As Charles III is finally crowned king, Camilla, Queen Consort will be forgiven for reflecting on her own long and painful journey.

atelier • INVESTMENT HANKER; A CUT ABOVE; WATCH AND LEARN.

INVEST

THE COURT OF APPEAL • British tailoring could not hope to have a stronger advocate on the throne than Charles III. But will he prove to be the last of the sartorial kings?

STEELY COURAGE • The unveiling of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet in 2019 heralded a new era in watchmaking. Now, six steel additions to the collection represent another giant leap forward for the manufacture.

articles • THIRD TIME’S A CHARM; UNDER THE CONSENT OF THE KING; THE ACTUAL JEWELS IN THE CROWN; ON HIS MAJESTY’S SERVICE; THE HAPPY FEW.

A CAROLEAN PAEAN • Seventy years later, King Charles’s moment has come. There are no doubts about his character or his motives. The only variables are what he can accomplish and how much time the gods will grant him. SIMON DE BURTON delivers THE RAKE’s alternative coronation homage.

BLUE BLOODS • Reckon Prince Harry is a rabble rouser? You’ve forgotten about these regal paragons of virtue… From incest and illegitimate children to betrayal and burnished thrones, ED CUMMING finds himself knee-deep in institutional fubars.

PRIME THE POMP • It is Britain’s time to shine — and with 530-carat diamonds, gold orbs bearing emeralds and rubies, and no fewer than three jewel-encrusted crowns on display, we mean that literally. Charles’s coronation, writes SIMON DE BURTON, will be a show for the ages.

THE AUTHENTICATOR • It is 20 years since Greg Williams was first granted behind-the-scenes access to the James Bond franchise. To mark the moment, 007’s ‘specials photographer’ is making available a unique collection of his finest...