Bidding on ARISE

The Montecito Journal is now by royal appointment, I can exclusively reveal.

This illustrious organ is now being read by none other than King Charles III – super singer Katy Perry’s mother, Mary Hudson, informs me.

When the former Dos Pueblos High student sang at His Majesty’s coronation concert at Windsor Castle last month with fellow American Idol judge Lionel Richie the day after the globally televised enthronement at London’s Westminster Abbey, Katy and mom stayed at the 1,000-year-old castle for two nights.

“We also got to meet Charles and his sister Princess Anne, and they couldn’t have been more charming,” Mary told me at a lunch for her 17-year-old charity ARISE Conferences at the Montecito Club.

“I also gave him a small gift bag of Santa Barbara pistachios and a copy of the Montecito Journal, including your column. Princess Anne said she loved pistachios and given his son, Prince Harry, lives in our rarefied enclave I’m sure he’ll find it fascinating reading!”

Mary – who welcomed 80 guests to the boffo bash that raised more than $50,000 for her nonprofit that sponsors three conferences annually to honor women who have come to shelters for rehabilitation looking for a new life – says staying at the imposing historic home, built by William the Conqueror, was quite an honor, but she described the interior decorations as “I Love Lucy ‘60s style.”

As a souvenir of their stay, mother and daughter bought five corgi plushies at the castle gift shop.

Needless to say, Katy, 38, also featured heavily in the fun fête with shoes from her personally-designed collection up for grabs and a live auction conducted by the ubiquitous Drew Wakefield and Katy’s father, Keith Hudson, including a Dolce & Gabbana robe with a rhinestone belt being snapped up for $5,500; a pickle ball match and dinner at the Montecito Club with Keith and Mary going for $2,000 to seven different bidders for a total of $14,000; a white gold and pave diamond necklace designed by Dru Hammer, ex-wife of the late tycoon Michael Hammer, which sold for $5,000; and a silk Chanel shirt owned by Keith, which went for $1,200.

Jude Fouquier of City Church CA gave the keynote address, while two clients, Adriana Cabrillo and Cassie Erickson, recounted their experiences with the charity, which has built up relationships with local clergy in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Maui, Hawaii.

Among the supporters turning out were Henry and Erin Walker, Donna Reeves, Adam McKaig and Melissa Borders, Kirsten Cavendish, Rick Oshay and Teresa Kuskey Nowak, Brian Hill, and Nolan Nicholson.

A majestic bash indeed….