At home with Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo: the very modern power couple who’ve turned Made In Chelsea fame into a multi-million pound empire
Jamie and a pregnant Sophie filmed a viral dance inside the palace which became a global news story. ‘The royal family started following me on Instagram!’ Jamie shouts, as if it were the most exciting thing in the world, ‘and then they unfollowed me…’ he trails off. ‘I think they followed David Attenborough, the Pope and me. And then whoever does their social media was like, “why the hell are we following this guy?” But I screenshot it,’ he says smugly, doling out a wholesome dose of that glorious Labrador energy.
Famously filming is banned in the palace… so how did that dance come about? ‘These things happen… I think you pre-plan it!?’ says Sophie, narrowing her eyes at her husband. ‘I was walking down the stairs and Jamie was like, “Can you just video this for a second?” to Rochelle Humes. He never tells me what I’m doing. He’s like, “Just move.”’ So far so innocent: part of why the video exploded in the way it did was because people thought they were making fun of Meghan and Harry, who performed their own dance to the same track at the hospital to induce Lilibet’s birth. ‘I picked that song because it was like a viral trending song at the time, it was pure coincidence!’ Jamie protests. ‘I was horrified,’ says Sophie. Regardless, The Royal Family reposted it.
All the hysteria is broken by Sophie’s glamorous father, Patrique Habboo, sneaking into the kitchen. ‘I’m just getting a dummy,’ he whispers. ‘This is our manny,’ Jamie introduces his father-in-law. ‘Why? Is he crying dad?’ Sophie asks on red-mum alert. ‘No, it’s all fine,’ he reassures. Sophie’s parents – her mum over from Spain, her dad over from Portugal – are on grandparent duty upstairs ahead of the Raising Chelsea premiere the following evening. One of Ziggy’s middle names is a Laing family name (which cannot be disclosed). ‘It’s from way back on the boys’ side, so boys are all called *****,’ Jamie explains. Like any self-respecting dynasty.
Naturally, Ziggy has an army of godparents. It makes sense given Jamie has five godchildren of his own already – and he’s an excellent godfather. ‘I put £20 a month into their Junior ISAs… which is great because then it’s building up and the parents can’t touch it.’ When you do the maths – 20x12x5 – it’s really rather a lot. ‘I know!’ Jamie exclaims. ‘We’re going to have to turn people down if anyone else gives you godfather,’ Sophie giggles. As to who the godparents are, we can only rule out MIC chum Ollie Proudlock. ‘I’m godfather to his second kid, so I thought maybe a second? You’ve got to save some for a second.’
It takes an army: Georgia (Sophie’s sister), Patrique (Sophie’s dad) and Sophie Habboo, Sarah Wigley (Sophie’s mum), Jamie Laing and Penny Baines (Jamie’s mum) at the premiere for Raising Chelsea
Lucy North – PA Images/Getty Images
