“From Champagne-Filled Refrigerators to Hat Party Mishaps: Peter Freestone’s Intimate, Playful, and Heartfelt Portrait of Freddie Mercury as a Friend, Host, and the Beating Heart of Garden Lodge”
Peter Freestone, the man who spent the last twelve years of Freddie Mercury’s life by his side as personal assistant, caretaker, and confidant, offers perhaps the most intimate and nuanced glimpse into the everyday world of the Queen frontman. Far from the dazzling lights of the stage, Freestone’s recollections unveil a Freddie Mercury defined not just by his legendary voice, but by his enormous heart, boundless generosity, and love for life’s extravagant yet deeply human joys.
As Freestone fondly recalls, his role in Freddie’s world went far beyond any traditional title. He was, in his own words, “butler, chef, secretary, consultant, bodyguard, and eventually nurse.” But more importantly, he was a friend who witnessed the man behind the icon — the private Freddie who laughed easily, entertained lavishly, and found his truest joy in making others happy.
One such moment is captured in the story of a projected photograph of a refrigerator — not just any fridge, but one stocked for what Peter jokingly describes as “a quiet dinner for 40 people.” Inside, shelves overflow with bottles of Cristal champagne, compartments lined with premium vodka, and a modest nod to health in the form of orange juice and Perrier water. This wasn’t an anomaly. Freddie loved to entertain. Whether it was whisking 80 guests to New York for Peter Straker’s birthday or preparing an over-the-top bash at home, he reveled in the joy of giving. “His greatest joy was being able to give people something,” Freestone explains. “Even just to see the smiles.”
These were not just parties; they were experiences Freddie curated with precision. Before guests arrived, he would walk through Garden Lodge personally, critiquing flower arrangements, shifting ornaments, and perfecting every detail. When guests walked in, awed by the ambiance, Freddie would simply smile and claim credit, “Of course it’s amazing, I did it all.” But the transformation he underwent was more profound than just party preparation — the moment people stepped through his doors, Freddie became the performer again. He donned his “Freddie Mercury” persona, not out of vanity, but out of love and pride in sharing his home and spirit with others.
Yet behind the grand performer was a humble, domestic man. Freestone remembers him coming downstairs in sweatpants and sneakers, playing with his beloved cats in the garden, relaxed and completely himself. That duality — the world-conquering rock star and the man who loved Sunday lunches — is what made Freddie so special.
Garden Lodge, Freddie’s treasured home in Kensington, wasn’t just a residence. According to Peter, it was “the love of his life.” Long before moving in, Freddie had poured time, imagination, and vast resources into restoring the Edwardian home to its original grandeur. It wasn’t just a house — it was his sanctuary, his stage, and his dream realized. As Freestone poignantly puts it, “When Freddie was there, you felt it in every brick. It was really a home. The minute Freddie died, the house became a building.” That sentiment encapsulates the magic Freddie Mercury carried with him: he didn’t just inhabit places — he animated them.
Among the lighter, more humorous memories, Peter recounts the time Freddie prepared for his famous hat party. The excitement was palpable, but the surprise came when the doorbell rang a full week early. On the screen, Freddie spotted six of his friends wearing absurd hats, ready to party. “What are they doing here? Go, go, send them away!” he exclaimed. But, moments later, with a chuckle and a shrug, he said: “Let them in.” That was Freddie — dramatic, particular, but never unkind. Always the host, always with open arms.
Freestone concludes with a final, charming observation — that while the refrigerator may not have always been brimming with champagne and vodka, it was always stocked with something to offer guests. That tiny detail says everything. Whether grand or small, public or private, Freddie Mercury lived to give — laughter, luxury, and love.
Through Peter Freestone’s stories, we’re reminded that behind the legend was a man of warmth, wit, and wonder. A man who filled not just rooms, but lives, with joy.