Three of our Tatler Award recipients were given a piece of history, courtesy of ball sponsor Coutts
Once again, Hong Kong Tatler Ball sponsor Coutts demonstrated their generosity by kindly gifting three of our Tatler Award recipients with replicas of historical letters. Written by three notable individuals, each letter was thoughtfully matched to each awardee’s character and achievements.
Recipients of this year’s Most Promising Young Lady award went to sisters Amanda and Jennifer Cheung, daughters of David Cheung and Michelle Ong-Cheung; the pair were given replica letters written by Angela Burdett-Coutts, granddaughter and heiress of Thomas Coutts, who inherited a share of the bank, at the tender age of 23. Angela showed much promise as a young lady, using her wealth to become a leading philanthropist. She supported great causes and schemes; for example, Charles Babbage’s work to develop the earliest computer, which she believed would benefit humankind.
Philanthropist Award recipient Purviz Shroff, a faithful volunteer of Mother’s Choice, President of the HK Indian Women’s Club and a loyal advocate of various charitable organizations throughout the city, was given a replica cheque from the Coutts archive dating back to 1850, also from Angela Burdett-Coutts, to the famed writer Charles Dickens. Both of them shared a common passion for social reform, with a particular focus on health and education.
Lastly, Jim Thompson, chairman of logistics company Crown Worldwide Group and a previous recipient of a Gold Bauhinia Star was the recipient of the Diamond Award this year. Thompson was given a replica from the Coutts archive of a General Order signed by Prince Albert, husband of renowned 19th century British monarch, Queen Victoria, and also a client of Coutts. In the true spirit of the Diamond Award, Prince Albert was a passionate supporter of the sciences, arts and education. He championed The Great Exhibition of 1851 held at the Crystal Palace, which would become the first in a series of World’s Fair exhibitions showcasing culture and industry from around the world.
To find out who else received the Hong Kong Tatler awards this year, watch our video here and to view some of our #HKTatlerBall2014 event images here.