The Day I Met the Duchess of Northumberland

David Farrar, Director of Sales at Luxury Gold was fortunate enough to embark on the journey of a lifetime earlier this year with Luxury Gold on the 9 Day The British Royale.

This is his story...

Throughout the Luxury Gold collection there are selected Chairman’s Collection departures. These are sourced by TTC Chairman Stanley Tollman himself as he has made many exceptional connections over his decades in the travel industry. I must be doing something right!

One story that has earned me ultimate bragging rights since my return would be meeting the Duchess of Northumberland.

To set the scene, the Duchess and her husband, the 12th Duke of Northumberland, live in Alnwick Castle, which is surrounded by beautifully restored gardens. Exactly what you would expect to see in a fairytale. I had saved my finest attire and was practicing my greeting in my head ,“Nice to make your acquaintance Duchess…”.

The Duchess herself - well, what an amazing woman - so friendly, very down to earth, entertaining, funny, intelligent and business savvy. The sort of person you’d want to sit next to and chat all night to at a dinner party. The Duchess spoke openly of her four adult children. They live in New York, Sydney (soon to be New Zealand) Cape Town and Ethiopia!

The woman with the microphone is the Duchess of Northumberland- yep! No flowing gowns - not Duchess like at all, I thought, however her pose, class and mannerisms reflected that of a Duchess. Denim jeans, a colourful top and sneakers and she was the nicest Duchess I have ever met, (albeit the only Duchess may I add!).

The gardens, which are the Duchess's passion, and linked to many of her childrens' and older peoples' charities. Along with “the head of gardens”, Trevor, they chatted and strolled with us for a little over an hour. She was the perfect example that luxury doesn’t need to be stiff or stuffy.

We then had a delicious two course lunch at the Tree Tops restaurant before viewing the Alnwick Castle. Fans of Harry Potter and Downton Abbey might recognize some familiar locations.

This was just one of the many highlights on my British Royale trip. I invite you to come and experience an exceptional, tailored and luxurious journey that words don’t do justice.