I was on a BIG podcast and went VIRAL about the Vanderbilt tiara!

...plus a new house on the American Countess channel!

Dear wonderful readers,

It’s been a quieter couple of weeks on the filming front as I’ve largely spent my time in meetings, planning sessions, and end-of-year wrap-ups at Mapperton. BUT, creatively, it has been an extraordinary fortnight. Substack has been buzzing, the Gilded Heiresses series is growing faster than ever, and there have been some wonderful moments with historians, podcasters, and (very soon!) the Royal School of Needlework.

Here’s what I’ll be sharing in this newsletter:

• The Vanderbilt Tiara: our most-read Substack yet
• A Substack bestseller Christmas party
• Two podcast episodes with a couple of big names
• Dropping off the Worth dress at Hampton Court Palace
• Seeds, seasons, and planning for the kitchen garden
• A brand-new historic house episode: Kirtlington Park

Let’s dive in.

The Vanderbilt Tiara: my biggest Substack yet

Over on The Gilded Heiresses, I published something rather special: an exclusive interview with a descendant of the Vanderbilt family, centred on the famous Vanderbilt Tiara—an heirloom sparkling with history, myth, and all the audacity of America’s last Dollar Princesses.

It has now been read nearly 6,000 times, and the response has been astonishing!

More than 134 new subscribers joined from that one post alone. It’s clear how deeply people are drawn to these stories of transatlantic ambition and the women whose jewels, trunks, and marriages reshaped high society on both sides of the ocean.

A Substack Christmas party for bestsellers

Another highlight: I attended the Substack Bestsellers Christmas Party in London!

It was such a joy and a chance to celebrate this growing community of writers and readers. I met some absolutely incredible people, and I’m more excited than ever about the future of Substack.

And just a reminder: if you join the American Countess Patreon at Alberta or above, you will get a completely free subscription to my Substack.

Patreon is where you’ll get early access to American Countess episodes and behind-the-scenes videos and blogs about filming, etc.

(And the American Countess Patreon is changing a bit in the new year with more of a focus on conservation and restoration of Britain’s country houses and their incredible history. The current Patrons have already had a sneak peek at it!)

Substack is where I share my research to do with the Gilded Heiresses, including letters and diary entries by Alberta.

To part of both, join Patreon on one of the top 3 tiers. Or, to just read about all of the Gilded Heiress research, subscribe to my Substack!

On air: discussing Gilded Age alliances and an enduring Anglo-American friendship

I was also invited onto the podcast Kings & Queens & Dastardly Things, hosted by historian Kate Williams and royal biographer Robert Hardman. We recorded two episodes, exploring:

• Why Americans, despite declaring independence in 1776, maintained such a deep fascination with the British monarchy

• How Gilded Age heiresses transformed diplomatic and social ties between the two nations

• And yes—we even touched on Wallis Simpson, whose story still fascinates us all

I’ll share links as soon as the episodes are released.

Off to the Royal School of Needlework

I’m travelling to Hampton Court Palace (today!) to deliver Alberta’s Worth dress to the Royal School of Needlework.

It’s an important step in the conservation journey of her extraordinary gown, and I’m thrilled to be starting this process with their expert team.

More soon…and I promise photos.

Seeds, seasons, and preparation in the kitchen garden

Although the new polytunnel isn’t being erected until the 29th and 30th of this month, the planning has already begun. I’ve ordered around 90 packets of seeds, which is a mix of beautiful vegetables and cutting flowers.

A few of the varieties:

• Drumstick Scabious - Sternkugel

• Nigella - Miss Jekyll Rose

• Mantovano Florence (Bulbing) Fennel

• Burpees Golden Zucchini Courgette

• Poppy - White Frills

It’s going to be a very colourful year ahead.

A new Historic House episode: Kirtlington Park

If you haven’t yet seen it, the latest Historic House feature is now live on the American Countess YouTube channel: Kirtlington Park.

It’s a Georgian gem with one of the most elegant façades we’ve filmed this year, and I can’t wait for you to explore it with me.

Watch the episode here:

Looking ahead

Between Substack milestones, new research, and the ongoing work at Mapperton, this season feels full of momentum. And as always, I’m very grateful to each of you — whether you read, watch, comment, or quietly follow along. Your support makes all of this possible.

More stories, more houses, more history soon.

With love and gratitude,
Julie