Update: Deborah Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, passed away on September 24, 2014, at age 94.
My commentary on the monarchy, circa 2010:
As an American activist for peace and justice, I am surprised to find myself consumed of late with stories of the English elite — the life of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire; Jane Austen novels; and the story of Lord Byron, Lady Caroline Lamb, Lord Melbourne and their circle. I have been wondering what fascinates me about these stories, and how I can be so excited about the lives of people who, in real life, I would find to be elitist, over-privileged, and ultimately knowing or unknowing cogs in an oppressive system of unfair hierarchy.
Well, I was gratified to find an article in the Guardian that at least toys with these conundrums. Finally, someone else who admires a Duchess, at least took the time to examine the role of a Duchess.
And, I will admit, posting about this article gives me the chance to mention Deborah Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, whose life story interests me quite a bit, partly for being an extension of the Georgiana story. The full article – here – is worth reading. Below is an excerpt about title:
(excerpt from) The Guardian UK
article by Stephen Moss
The Duchess of Devonshire: ‘When you are very old, you cry over some things, but not a lot’
The 90-year-old Duchess of Devonshire talks about her famous Mitford sisters, meeting Hitler and why she doesn’t like change
…Why are you a Conservative, I ask her, which later I think may be a stupid question, given that the Devonshires own Chatsworth, thousands of acres of the Derbyshire countryside, a castle in Ireland, and half a dozen other residences. “I like conserving things,” she says circularly. “I like people to stay as they are, though I know they can’t.” Stumblingly, I point out that at the Guardian we do not wholly approve of dukes, duchesses and other feudal throwbacks. How does she justify them?…
And, Stephen Moss summarizes:
…People. Those tricky things that get in the way of political theories. Yes, we must sweep away centuries of privilege, but I do hope Henry, Debo and her chickens survive.
If you are interested in the story of Deborah Cavendish, there is another
interesting article at the Telegraph: here
Deborah Cavendish’s new book is: Wait For Me! by the Duchess of Devonshire, published by John Murray.
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