The stars came out in force on June 26, 2008 to confirm that for Sir Elton John at least, life's a beach.

Elizabeth Hurley and Elle Macpherson led the glamour stakes at the 10th annual White Tie and Tiara Ball with the theme Beach Culture. Hurley shunned her usual bridal-esque white for a stunning aquamarine strapless gown and tiara as she attended the party with husband Arun Nayar. While many stars went for high-octane glamour, Australian supermodel/designer went for a laid-back, hippy-esque golden maxi dress.

Held at Sir Elton and David Furnish's £20 million Windsor home it has become the society event of the summer attracting A list celebrities from far and wide. David Furnish said: "The theme this year is 'beach party' so we've got Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys playing. The aim every year is to get people to say that it was the best one yet."

The entertainment bar was set high after performances last year from Sir Tom Jones and Dame Shirley Bassey. Meanwhile the mix of guests included former U.S. president Bill Clinton, Sir Michael Caine, The O.C. star Mischa Barton and Hollywood acting couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Kelly Osbourne brought her new boyfriend, BMX rider, Luke Worrell, while model-of-the-moment Agyness Deyn returned from New York with her latest love, Strokes musician Albert Hammond Jnr. Other guests included Lulu, Gordon and Tana Ramsay, Graham Norton, Paul O'Grady, Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, Westlife singer Kian Egan and fiancee Jodi Albert, Anthea Turner and Tracey Emin.

The 620 invited guests paid £3,000 a ticket in the bid to raise even more money than last year for the Elton John Aids Foundation. The 2007 Las Vegas themed ball - where guests were served by waiters dressed as Elvis - raised £6.1million. In this year's auction Mario Testino auctioned his first private client sitting.

Lavish floral arrangement were by celebrity florist Rob Van Helden who has customised the blooms for each of the ten White Tie parties. The White Tie and Tiara balls, which are sponsored by OK! magazine and Chopard, have raised more than £26.9million since the first event in 1998.

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