Olly Alexander brought together a memorable group of guests for a dinner celebrating Oscar Wilde’s birthday at London’s Hotel Café Royal.
Among those attending were Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming and Russell T Davies, with Davies joined by his boyfriend, Oliver Cole.

Sharing photographs on Instagram, Alexander described hosting the dinner as a pleasure and wrote: “I hope we made Oscar proud.”
The images offer a glimpse of an evening filled with champagne glasses, green carnations and friendships across generations of queer entertainment.

A celebration with enthusiastic reviews
Davies responded beneath the post: “The best evening!”
Cole added: “What a delicious evening with delicious people”.
The writer has recently spoken publicly about their relationship, as reported by Attitude.
Alexander also credited designer Phoebe English for his outfit, a delicate, layered ensemble that suited the ornate surroundings.
A photograph of him with McKellen captures the warmth of the gathering, while another shows McKellen and Cumming together.

Why Café Royal is a fitting setting
The venue brings a genuine connection to the writer being celebrated.
According to Hotel Café Royal’s account of Wilde’s London, he regularly spent time at the Regent Street establishment, dining and conversing with fellow artists and intellectuals.
A birthday toast there therefore connects a contemporary gathering with part of the writer’s own social world.
Wilde was born in Dublin on October 16, 1854, as documented by the Royal Berkshire Archives.
The green carnations carry their own history
The flowers visible in the photographs add another connection.
Cambridge University Library records that Wilde asked W. Graham Robertson to wear a green carnation at the 1892 opening of Lady Windermere’s Fan.
The flower became associated with Wilde and his circle, although scholars continue to discuss its precise historical meanings.
There is a poignancy to seeing that emblem worn so openly at a celebration of his life.
Wilde was imprisoned for sexual acts with men, receiving a sentence of two years with hard labour.
That history belongs alongside his literary brilliance, but it need not be the only way he is remembered.
These photographs offer another response: queer people gathering in friendship, dressing beautifully and raising a glass to someone whose influence endures.
As Alexander hoped, it is an evening that gives Oscar plenty to be proud of.
📷 Photos shared by @ollyalexanderr.
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