And I’m not entirely sure how or why. I’ve always been vaguely aware it existed and that it was full of posh people and the stuff that posh people buy. A few months ago I randomly bought a copy - I’m sick of reading everything on a screen and wanted a physical magazine so thought I’d give it a go as nothing else particularly appealed.
And my god - it’s so bad it’s good. There are some articles I thought must be a parody, but no they’re genuine (I think!). There’s endless photos of near identical well-preserved blonde women wearing tweed and watching some horsey event or at a party in Knightsbridge. And 6 page articles on a minor aristocratic I’ve never heard of but somehow end up reading anyway.
It’s like being some kind of weird anthropological voyeur, spying on a species I vaguely knew existed but never really thought about in much detail.
And the thing that’s made me realise I am addicted is that reading the latest issue I’m starting to recognise the people featured in it. I find myself thinking “Oh yes that’s Alice whatsername who was waffling on about her floristry business” or “Oh she must be the sister of Olivia who was featured last month”.
How has this happened? I’m a left wing republican who would abolish public schools given half a chance. Why am I spending time reading about Lady Featherington-Hawe’s interior design exploits. And looking at unwearable jewellery that costs £10,000.
So is it just me, or are there any other secret Tatler addicts out there in mumsnet land?