Guests arrive two by two for Uma Thurman and Arki Busson's engagement party

So it was not surprising that Arpad 'Arki' Busson, the hedge fund tycoon and philanthropist, should decide to invite pretty much all of London's A-list celebrities to his home in Kensington to show off his fiancee.

Uma, 38, and Arki, 45, announced their engagement in The Times only last week.

Happy couple: Hosts Uma Thurman and Arki Busson held a star-studded party

And so they came  -  two-by-two  -  to presumably the most star-studded engagement party of the year, held in a vast marquee in the garden.

Lord only knows what the wedding will be like.

Arki has no trouble getting the great and good to his events; only last month he raised £25million for his charity.

Single girls: Tamara Mellon and Jemima Khan arrive for the party

Police agreement: Sting and Trudie Styler dressed for a summer night

He has two children by former partner Elle Macpherson. Thurman has been married twice before, to Gary Oldman and Ethan Hawke with whom she has two children.

Sir Elton John arrived with his partner David Furnish, then came Sting with his wife Trudie Styler, followed by Claudia Schiffer and her husband, film producer and director Matthew Vaughn. 

Private engagement: Matthew Vaugn and Claudia Schiffer arrive

Liz Hurley was accompanied by footwear designer Patrick Cox while Bob Geldof showed up with girlfriend Jeanne Marine.

Sir Philip Green, owner of Topshop, arrived with businessman Sir David Tang.

Meanwhile even former Chelsea manager Avram Grant managed a smile as he entered accompanied by PR guru Matthew Freud.

Friends: Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish

Few seemed to be bearing gifts. Worryingly however, artist Damien Hirst arrived carrying a box.

Not big enough to fit in a cow but possibly a pickled mouse or even a small cat. Lucky Uma.

Invited: Artist Damien Hirst and wife Maia