Known affectionately as 'The Dotty Duchess', Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland, has shared exclusive insights into her long-standing professional relationship with King Charles and the extraordinary evolution of her Northumberland estate, which now plays host to an unlikely crowd of naturists.
A Royal Collaboration and Lasting Admiration
Jane Percy worked alongside King Charles for over 15 years while she served as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, a role she held until stepping down last year. She describes the monarch, whom she worked with when he was the Prince of Wales, as "one of the most extraordinary Princes of Wales ever in terms of his achievements."
"His work ethic takes some beating," the Duchess revealed. "I've seen first hand how much he cares about all sectors of communities and how he genuinely understands their needs." This professional respect was cemented during a visit in July 2012, when the then-Prince Charles stayed at the family's ancestral home, the famous Alnwick Castle.
From Royal Parties to a Global Playground
The Duchess's current focus is her ambitious new venture, Lilidorei, the world's largest play structure which cost a staggering £17.5 million to build. The attraction boasts a slide as high as the Angel of the North, 20 miles of fairy lights, and 1,500 Christmas trees.
This project has transformed the financial fortunes of the Alnwick Garden, a charitable trust she designed. Thanks to Lilidorei, November and December are now their busiest months, with revenue skyrocketing from £48,000 in 2015 to £750,000 last year. The site welcomed 243,000 visitors and employs 230 staff, supported by 90 volunteers who contributed 9,500 hours of work last year.
Eccentricity, Stuffed Animals, and Naked Gardeners
The Duchess's unique character was celebrated in the Channel 4 series 'The Duchess and her Magic Kingdom'. The show highlighted her eccentricities, including her collection of stuffed animals. "I genuinely love them," she said, explaining she even travels with a stuffed beagle on the train to London.
The series also captured the moment the Alnwick Garden was taken over by naturists for an annual event. "The Naturist thing is a funny one," she admitted, "but there are people who want to take their clothes off to garden, and it is an annual event. They tend to be the older generation."
Her unconventional approach extends to other events at the garden, which has hosted everything from cage fighting to Mr Gay UK, all with the aim of serving the community, even if it sometimes causes controversy.
Looking ahead, the Duchess is promoting her new children's book, 'Amanita', and exploring opportunities to expand the Lilidorei brand internationally, with trips already made to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and America being the most likely location for the first overseas installation.
