The beautiful duchess who became chatelaine of one of the most famous palaces in the world as well as a firm royal favourite

Consuelo Vanderbilt, the American socialite, became the Duchess of Marlborough in 1895 when she married Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough. She would quickly become a royal favourite and she is back in the spotlight again. 

Consuelo was the it-girl of Gilded Age New York society, and with English aristocrats looking across the Atlantic to find rich brides, the beautiful and wealthy heiress’ fate was almost sealed. 

The sad wedding that made Consuelo a duchess

Her mother, Alva, setup a marriage with the Duke of Marlborough who was desperately in need of money to keep his family estate afloat. Although Consuelo tried to refuse, she stood at the altar of Saint Thomas Church in Manhattan in tears on 6 November 1885. 

She moved to England where she became chatelaine of Blenheim Palace, the stunning estate in Oxfordshire which was given to her husband’s family in the 18th century by Queen Anne after a famous victory by John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough.

The stunningly beautiful new Duchess quickly became a part of the Marlborough House Set, the wealthy and influential group of friends that surrounded the Prince and Princess of Wales. Notably, Consuelo never had an affair with the Prince of Wales, unlike many women in the group. 

Although her marriage quickly deteriorated, Consuelo did provide her husband with an heir and a spare, thus continuing the family’s line. Their elder son, John, would eventually succeed his father as Duke of Marlborough. Consuelo’s younger son, Ivor, would serve with distinction in the military. Despite her marital difficulties, Consuelo remained a society favourite, and the new King Edward and Queen Alexandra recognised her social role. 

An important role for Consuelo the duchess at big royal events

At their 1902 coronation, Consuelo served as one of Queen Alexandra’s canopy bearers, and also attended the durbar in India. 

Queen Alexandra was crowned alongside her husband, King Edward VII, on August 9, 1902, at Westminster Abbey. Originally scheduled for June 26, the coronation was postponed due to the King’s sudden illness and emergency surgery.

Consuelo was part of a glittering event that saw a Alexandra, known for her elegance and popularity, wear a golden gown and a specially designed crown adorned with the Koh-i-Noor diamond.

The ceremony followed traditional Anglican rites and emphasized the monarchy’s role in a modern British Empire. Despite the delay, the event was grand and well-attended, marking the beginning of the Edwardian era and showcasing the queen’s enduring grace and regal presence.

Foreign royals also favoured Conseulo, with the Dowager Tsarina of Russia welcoming the Duchess for an audience.

By 1906, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough were living separate lives with both carrying on extramarital affairs. Although the marriage had completely broken down, the couple did not formally divorce until 1921. Consuelo was remarried by July of that year, to French aviator Jacques Balsan. 

Consuelo would later write a memoir, The Glitter and the Gold. Published in 1953, the book offers a candid and reflective look at her life among the aristocracy during the Gilded Age and Edwardian era.

Her memoir details the grandeur, duty, and social expectations of transatlantic high society, as well as her eventual independence and charitable work. The book remains a fascinating portrait of wealth, privilege, and personal growth.

Consuelo died on December 6th 1964 in New York. Her younger son, Ivor, had died in 1956 and Consuelo asked to be buried next to him at St. Martin’s Church in Bladon, close to Blenheim Palace.

Consuelo has largely remained popular with Gilded Age enthusiasts. However, with a closely-inspired character modelled on her in the HBO period drama, The Gilded Age, she is in the spotlight once again.