# Event Details

- **Event Name**: The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover – a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 06:30 pm – Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 08:00 pm
- **Event Description**: This talk explores a little-known episode in 18th-century diplomacy: the secret correspondence between the future Catherine the Great and the British ambassador to Russia Sir Charles Hanbury Williams. At a time of political instability and personal danger Catherine navigated the treacherous terrain of the Russian court by forging an alliance with Hanbury Williams—who captivated by her intelligence and charm became her trusted adviser. Their relationship shaped in part by Catherine’s affair with the ambassador’s secretary reveals how private passions intersected with great power politics during the run-up to the Seven Years’ War.  When: Friday 24 October, 18:30-20:00 (BST) Where: Trinity Hall, Main Lecture Theatre, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TJ Language: English Format: In-person & Online via Zoom In-person tickets: £9 – Standard, £6 – CamRuSS Members and Concessions  Zoom tickets: £5 – Standard, free – CamRuSS Members (includes video recording), and Students (does not include video recording) Access to the video recording is included with all ticket purchases Video recording only: £5  This event will be followed by a drinks reception Tony Brenton KCMG is a distinguished British diplomat writer on international issues. He worked for over 30 years in the Foreign Office.Tony first learnt Arabic and spent three years in Cairo working on the Middle East Dispute. From 1980-1989 he handled European matters in London and in Brussels working on energy issues and the birth of European environmental policy. Back in London he ran UN issues in the Foreign Office and took charge of the preparation for the 1992 ‘Earth Summit’ which achieved the first global agreement on Climate Change.After a year at Harvard he published a book about international environmental policy – ‘The Greening of Machiavelli’ (Royal Institute of International Affairs Energy and Environmental Programme 1994) learnt Russian and spent 1994-1998 in Moscow dealing with Russian economic reform.After a further period in London on UN matters (including the establishment of the International Criminal Court) he was posted in 2001 to Washington dealing with the consequences of 9/11 the Afghanistan war and the Iraq war.In 2004-2008 he was posted to Moscow as Ambassador where he managed Britain’s relations with Russia during a turbulent period.He edited a publication Historically Inevitable?: Turning Points of the Russian Revolution (Profile Books 2016).Tony is a regular commentator in The Times The Guardian The Telegraph The Independent and other British publications Director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce and a Fellow of Wolfson College Cambridge.Sir Tony Brenton has been a patron of the Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society since May 2018.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/cambridge/the-ambassador-the-grand-duke-his-wife-and-her-lover-a-talk-by-sir-tony-brenton-obe/80001422371248
- **Event Categories**: art, business, theatre, literary-art
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 25

## Ticket Details

- **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 9, currency: GBP

## Event venue details

- **city**: Cambridge
- **state**: EN
- **country**: United Kingdom
- **location**: Trinity Hall College
- **lat**: 52.2057386
- **long**: 0.1151331
- **full address**: Trinity Hall College, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TJ, United Kingdom, Cambridge

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Event Photo 1
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn2.allevents.in/thumbs/live68ab0d9b95de9.jpg

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE being held?
  - **A:** The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE takes place on Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 06:30 pm to Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 08:00 pm at Trinity Hall College, Trinity Ln, Cambridge CB2 1TJ, United Kingdom, Cambridge.
- **Q**: Who is organizing The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE?
  - **A:** The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE is organized by The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society.
- **Q**: What has been the experience of attendees at The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society's events?
  - **A:** The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society has 122+ followers on AllEvents, reflecting a trusted and active community of event-goers who follow their events. The Cambridge Russian-Speaking Society has a verified profile on AllEvents where you can read reviews and explore their upcoming events.
- **Q**: Where can I buy The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE tickets?
  - **A:** The Ambassador, the Grand Duke, his Wife and her Lover - a Talk by Sir Tony Brenton, OBE, happening on Fri, 24 Oct, 2025 at 06:30 pm in Cambridge, is available on AllEvents. AllEvents is the official ticketing partner for this event. After booking, you will receive instant QR E-tickets on your mobile via Email, SMS, and WhatsApp. Simply show your QR ticket at the venue gate for quick, contactless entry.

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