The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan

Consuelo Vanderbilt was young, beautiful, and heir to a vast fortune. The Glitter and the Gold is a richly enjoyable memoir is a revealing portrait of a golden age now being celebrated every week behind the doors of Downton Abbey. A new edition of Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsans memoirthe story of the 'real' Lady Grantham of Downton Abbey. Balsan is an unsnobbish and amused observer of the intricate hierarchy both upstairs and downstairs and a revealing witness to the glittering balls, huge weekend parties, and major state occasions she attended or hosted chronicling her encounters with every important figure of the day-from Queen Victoria, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra to Tsar Nicholas and the young Winston Churchill. She was the real American heiress who lived long before Downton Abbey's Lady Grantham arrived. In 1921 she remarried aviator Jacques Balsan moving with him to a chateau in the South of France.

Her literary soirees would include H G Wells, JM Barrie and George Bernard Shaw. She sailed to England as the Duchess of Marlborough in 1895 and took up residence in her new home-Blenheim Palace. Causing a scandal by separating from the Duke after 11 years, Consuelo began her new life as philanthropist, public speaker and campaigner for women's suffrage. She was also in love with an American suitor when her mother chose instead for her to marry an English Duke. A new edition of Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan's memoir-the story of the 'real' Lady Grantham of Downton AbbeyĬonsuelo Vanderbilt was young, beautiful, and heir to a vast fortune. Leaving her life in America, she came to England as the Duchess of Marlborough in 1895 and took up residence in her new home - Blenheim Palace.

The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan