The Duchess of Northumberland has made headlines with what appears to be a subtly pointed remark aimed at fellow duchesses Meghan Markle and Sarah Ferguson. In a candid new interview, Jane Percy, 67, discussed her decision to forgo her aristocratic title in her professional writing career, drawing a stark contrast with other high-profile peers.
A Contrast in Approach
Speaking with The Telegraph this week, the Duchess revealed she publishes her books under the pen name Jane Northumberland rather than using her official title. She made her position clear, stating: 'Unlike other duchesses who put their names everywhere, I'm not using my title.' She elaborated further, suggesting that recent behaviour from some duchesses had potentially damaged the reputation of the position, noting 'it could be detrimental as one or two duchesses haven't really helped the cause lately.'
These comments were widely interpreted as references to Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who along with Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Since relocating to the United States, Meghan has made numerous public statements about her royal experiences, recently telling Bloomberg's Emily Chang she felt restricted early in her marriage. Simultaneously, Sarah Ferguson lost her Duchess of York title last month when her former husband, Prince Andrew, relinquished his own royal styles.
Building a Legacy Through Hard Work
The Duchess of Northumberland emphasised that her achievements stem from dedication rather than privilege. 'People think it must have been easy for me, but nothing comes from nothing,' she told the publication. 'It's all been down to hard work.' This work ethic has been evident in her transformation of Alnwick Castle's gardens into a major tourist destination that attracted over 380,000 visitors last year.
Her ambitious projects include creating a magical fairy realm for children called Lilidorei, which opened in 2023, complete with a companion book she authored. She has also overseen the addition of the world's largest treehouse to the estate. Despite these accomplishments, the Alnwick Garden remains an ongoing project under her careful supervision.
Royal Connections and Personal Reflections
Jane Percy maintains her own connections to the royal family, having hosted King Charles for visits at Alnwick Castle. Her daughter Melissa shares a friendship with Prince Harry's former girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. The Duchess knows both Prince William and Prince Harry personally, and in a 2023 interview with the Mail, she expressed sadness about their strained relationship. 'To have two boys who aren't communicating, one on the other side of the world, is the saddest thing,' she reflected. 'Hopefully they are communicating. I'm sure there's a lot we don't know about.'
The Duchess moved into the historic Alnwick Castle in 1995 after marrying her husband, Ralph Percy, the 12th Duke of Northumberland. Their lives changed dramatically when his elder brother, Henry Percy (known as Harry), the 11th Duke, was found dead in October 1995 from heart failure caused by an amphetamine overdose. The 700-year-old estate, in the Percy family since 1309, suddenly became their responsibility.
She previously acknowledged the challenge, noting: 'There is no instruction manual. In 24 hours our lives changed, like that. I'm sure there were some of the old guard who thought I'd wait to be told what to do. I don't take very well to being told what to do.'
Under her leadership, she raised more than £10 million by 2005 to fund significant additions like the treehouse and the renowned 'Poison Garden'. Her work even inspired her own reality television programme, The Duchess and Her Magical Kingdom, which aired on More4 in 2023.
Before her ducal responsibilities, Jane Percy was a professional ice skater from Edinburgh, training for five hours daily at Murrayfield ice rink. She met her future husband when they were teenagers—she was 16 and he was 18—and they married in 1979 when she was 21. They have celebrated over 44 years of marriage and have four children: Katie, George, Melissa, and Max, along with seven grandchildren.
Despite her position, she has maintained a grounded perspective. She once told the Mail about an encounter with a centenarian: 'After half an hour she said, 'It's been very nice talking to you, but I'm expecting the Duchess of Northumberland so perhaps you should go.' Maybe I should have made more of an effort to dress in something grand.'
The family's business interests continue to evolve, with their youngest son, Lord Max Percy, placing the Rothbury Estate on the market for £35 million in 2023. The estate has attracted attention from notable figures including Queen guitarist Sir Brian May and naturalist Sir David Attenborough. A potential sale to a consortium of wildlife trusts is pending, contingent on their ability to raise £30 million by Autumn 2026.
Through her pen name Jane Northumberland, the Duchess has published her first novel, Amanita, with plans for another book and a colouring book in development, continuing to build her legacy through creative enterprise rather than aristocratic entitlement.
