Kerri & Camilla at Clarence

Santa Barbara resident Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox USA, had lunch with Camilla, the duchess of Cornwall, at her London home, Clarence House, last week.

It was the second time the tony twosome had met, given the wife of Prince Charles also visited the charity’s new British HQ and visitors center in Truro, Cornwall, last July.

“It was a special private lunch for ShelterBox, welcoming volunteer responders, supporters, and staff, given Her Royal Highness serves as president and patron in the U.K. after witnessing the lifesaving work first-hand in Pakistan after the 2006 earthquake,” says Kerri.

“She and her husband frequently visit disaster zones around the world, where ShelterBox is responding to help raise awareness and support this privately funded charity.

“We spoke at great length about the fires and mudslides that devastated Montecito. She told me of her fondness for Santa Barbara, having spent time here years ago and asked me to relay that she and Charles are thinking and praying for our community.

“Her Royal Highness expressed her desire to return with the prince to our town in the year ahead and requested I send her an official invitation, which, of course, I’ll do. She has a deep and genuine interest in disaster relief and truly rolls up her sleeves and gets her hands dirty to help the cause. Her passion for our work and people we serve is inspiring.”

Guests at the standing hot-bowl lunch served with English sparkling wine at Clarence House, just a tiara’s toss down The Mall from Buckingham Palace and the home of the late Queen Mother for 50 years, were particularly careful given the 193-year-old, 4-story home built by the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV, who found nearby St. James’s Palace too cramped, is packed with priceless antiques and china.

“The rooms were also filled with family photos of life events, including a wonderful photo of Prince Charles, his mother, Queen Elizabeth, and Prince William holding his son, Prince George,” adds Kerri. “There was also one of a very handsome and happy Prince Harry.”

A treasured memory for Kerri, who also took her 14-year daughter Sofia, a Crane School student, on the English sojourn.

Smart Alex

Santa Barbara actor Michael Imperioli, who garnered praise in HBO’s hit series The Sopranos, is taking a totally different tack with his latest role.

He tells me he has signed up for a new ABC series, Alex, Inc., a comedy from former Scrubs star Zach Braff, who also stars and directs the show, which starts next month.

“We’ve taped ten episodes, and the network has given us a great time slot,” Michael told me when I bumped into him at the downtown farmers market.

He is co-starring with Good Place actress Toya Sircar, Dirtbags‘s Hillary Anne Matthews, and Audyssie James in the Matt Tarses-scripted show.

I wish Michael, who I volunteer with regularly at the Rescue Mission, great success.

This One’s for the Gorillas

Montecito TV talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres, who has been celebrating her 60th birthday, got a highly unusual present from her longtime spouse, Portia de Rossi.

The Scream 2 actress, 45, gave the former Oscars host a gorilla sanctuary in Rwanda, to be known as the Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

“Ellen, you will carry on Dian’s legacy by giving them a permanent home in Rwanda,” said Portia. “You will join Dian as a protector and champion of these amazing animals.”

During her celebration, Ellen’s Burbank-based show had a host of major stars on, including singer Justin Timberlake, who sang at the Super Bowl halftime performance.

And at the weekend, the stars were out in force when Ellen tossed a star-filled bash in West Hollywood to mark her becoming a sexagenarian, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lawrence, Jennifer Lopez, Adele, Pink, Reese Witherspoon, Melissa McCarthy, and John Legend.

On a more personal note, my mole with the martini tells me Ellen and Portia were spotted having a birthday dinner at Sly’s in Carpinteria.