Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley frolic with Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova and Valentino on board a yacht in the Caribbean in never-before-seen snaps taken months before their 2000 split
- Valentino co-founder Giancarlo Giammetti shared holiday photos online
- Snaps capture a fresh-faced Hugh Grant, Liz Hurley and Claudia Schiffer
- Stylish group are all relaxing on board Valentino’s yacht in the Mediterranean
Lounging on a luxury yacht with a glittering posse of famous friends, Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley look the epitome of the young Hollywood power couple in these photographs taken months before their split.
Grant, now 60, and Hurley, now 56, were photographed on holiday in the Caribbean in early 2000, months before they parted ways that May.
The couple, who met in the late 80s, spent the day galivanting with supermodels Claudia Schiffer and Eva Herzigova, and Italian designer Valentino Garavani, who has a long-running friendship and professional relationship with Hurley.
Bright young things: Lounging on a luxury yacht, Hugh Grant and Elizabeth Hurley look the epitome of the young Hollywood power couple in these photographs taken months before their split in May 2000. The photos were shared on Instagram by Giancarlo Giammetti
Natural beauty: Even without a scrap of makeup, Elizabeth Hurley’s beauty shines in this photo taken on board the yacht. She was seated next to Italian designer Valentino, pictured
Caught in action: In one of the photos, Grant lies topless on the sun deck, half-turned towards the camera, while Hurley is captured making her way over to him on her hands and knees. It is thought the woman on the far left is supermodel Eva Herzigova
The photos were shared on Instagram by Giancarlo Giammetti, the co-founder of the fashion house and Valentino’s onetime lover.
Giammetti, who has been friends with everyone from Andy Warhol to Liza Minnelli, is known as the ‘most well-connected man in fashion’ and delights in sharing photos from his personal archive online.
The most recent selection were shared this week with the caption: ‘I like to share with you an album of an amazing trip to the Caribbean for the beginning of the year 2000! No tag.. you know who you are!’
Hurley responded to the photo to say: ‘Heavenly memories’.
Valentino and Giammetti own a yacht but it is not known if it was the one hired for this trip.
Sun-kissed: Supermodel Claudia Schiffer smiles coyly at Giancarlo’s camera, with Hugh Grant seen talking in the background. The group enjoyed lunch on the deck of the superyacht
Deep in conversation: Grant chats to another guest on board the yacht, where fresh vegetables were served along with crisp cold glasses of white wine
Fashion power player: Valentino poses with a glamorous friend in one photo shared online
Some of the photographs were taken at an informal al fresco lunch on board the vessel. The plain wooden tables were laid with plain placemats and white napkins and guests enjoyed glasses of crisp white wine.
Makeup-free Hurley, who was sat next to Valentino, flashes a smile to the camera in one of the photographs, her brunette hair blowing across her face.
The actress, then in her mid-30s, was fresh from the success of the Austin Powers films.
She showed off her stunning figure in a white bikini, which she wore under a sun guard.
Happy memories: Giancarlo shared this photo from the sun deck of the yacht on Instagram
Meanwhile Grant looked typically debonair in a grey t-shirt and sunglasses.
In one of the photos, Grant lies topless on the sun deck, half-turned towards the camera, while Hurley is captured making her way over to him on her hands and knees.
In another Grant smiles at Hurley while she makes her way up the stairs of the yacht ahead of him.
Grant and Hurley’s 13-year relationship came to an end in May 2000. Speaking about the split recently, Grant said the ‘sex bit fizzled out’ but the pair remain best friends.
Giammetti made headlines last year when he shared unseen photos of Princess Diana on board the Valentino yacht two years before her separation.
He has also shared photos of late American fashion designer Halston to mark the release of the Netflix