We filmed at a BIG DEAL house!

And I'm coming to America

Hello, friends!

The past few weeks have felt SO full. It’s the kind of stretch where history, travel, filming, and family life all seem to braid together at once. From Paris to Claydon House and my birthday (!!) to the final push on the Mapperton book, there has been a great deal quietly unfolding behind the scenes.

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

• Filming at Claydon House for the American Countess channel
• Walking in Alberta’s footsteps in Paris and Versailles
• A Fire Horse birthday celebration with all four children
• Behind the scenes of the Mapperton illustrated book shoot
• Our upcoming Natchez visit and ticket reminder
• A very special launch arriving 7 March

Let’s dive in!

My talk at the Victoria and Albert Museum

As I’m writing this, I JUST finished giving a talk on Alberta at the Victoria and Albert Museum. This felt like the big leagues, and I was SO nervous!

I spent weeks putting this talk together, which focused on Alberta’s views of marriage in a time when almost all Dollar Princesses were entering into transactional romances.

I covered Alberta’s letters, of course! And I read a lot of her quotes from the time when she was considering whether or not she’d marry George.

Thanks SO much to everyone who came to support me. I’m still buzzing from it, and I hope to do more talks like this in the future!

Filming at Claydon House

One of last week’s true milestones was filming: we went to our very first National Trust property! We’ve been trying to go to National Trust houses for years…it was incredible and Claydon House is EXTRAORDINARY.

Filming there was one of those days that reminds me why I love this work so much. The setting, the stories, the atmosphere: all of it came together beautifully. We filmed a very special piece for the American Countess YouTube channel, and I cannot wait to share what is coming.

Do make sure you are subscribed, because something rather exciting will be launching on 7 March, and you will not want to miss it.

In Alberta’s footsteps through Paris and Versailles

From Italy to Paris and back again…and what a meaningful journey it was!

While in Paris, I retraced Alberta’s steps using her January 1890 diary entry, written when she was just twelve years old. Walking where she walked, and reading her words on site, always brings history into startling focus.

Versailles was, as ever, extraordinary. Visiting the Petit Trianon and Marie Antoinette’s hamlet through Alberta’s eyes was one of those moments where past and present seem to briefly overlap.

It is precisely why this work continues to feel so alive. I wrote about it on my Substack, so be sure that you subscribe over there, because more Alberta travel is coming!

A Fire Horse birthday

This year I properly celebrated my birthday on 17 February, which was also the beginning of the Year of the Fire Horse!

We marked the occasion with a Chinese family dinner of course, and for the first time in a while all four children were around the table together, which felt rather special.

There is something about these full-table moments that becomes more meaningful every year.

A very joyful way to begin the Fire Horse year.

Behind the scenes of the Mapperton book

We’ve just completed the final major photography day for the forthcoming Mapperton illustrated book…nearly thirteen months after our very first shoot day!

Principal photographer Jessica and stylist Malcolm were both here, and we focused on capturing the final interiors, portraits, and winter light moments needed for the book.

It was one of those long, slightly exhausting, but deeply satisfying days. The book will contain around 300 photographs, and we are currently on track to announce it officially in April.

More soon, but it is starting to feel very real.

Current wellbeing favourites

As many of you know, I always try to weave in small practices that help keep energy steady through very full seasons.

Right now my newest enthusiasm is the sauna followed by cold immersion. And I have to say, I am completely converted. I am also very excited about my new Garmin, which is now faithfully tracking spinning, yoga, and running.

Small rhythms, but they make a remarkable difference.

Natchez, we are nearly on our way!

A quick reminder that Luke and I will be in Natchez, Mississippi beginning 11 March (with the Patron gathering on 10 March).

We cannot wait to see so many of you there. Our meet and greet is now sold out, but there are still some tickets remaining for our main presentation on Wednesday evening, along with a full week of wonderful events across the town.

P.S. If you’re planning to come to the Patron Party on the 10th and haven’t received an email with information about it, please email Shelly: shelly@mapperton.com. (We switched email servers and fear that we may have missed some confirmations during the down time!)

As ever, thank you for following along on this slightly mad and always fascinating journey through history, houses, and the occasional airport dash.

Very much looking forward to sharing what comes next.

With love,
Julie xx