Another day, another royal rift. Media outlets across the globe have spent the last few days frothing over rumours that the Duchess of Cambridge has a new glossy-haired rival (move over Meghan). According to the tabloids, Kate is in the throes of “phasing out” model-turned-Marchioness Rose Hanbury from her Turnip Toff social circle, following a “monster falling out”.
We could write an essay on the banality of this story, and the media’s proclivity to pit women against each other in the name of quick clicks. But really, who wants to give this sexist drivel column-space? Instead, we’re honing in on the most delicious and intriguing detail to come out of it all.
Turnip Toffs. What exactly are they? And do they grow root vegetables?
Short answer, maybe. They’re a bunch of earls, countesses, ladies and lords based in Norfolk, a rural county north of London filled with posh pubs and pony clubs. It’s also the site of Anmer Hall, William and Kate’s country home gifted by the Queen. “In London one is supposedly never more than 6ft from a rat. In this patch of Norfolk the same could be said of an aristocrat,” wrote society journalist Sophia Money-Coutts.
Most of this haut monde set, a close-knit circle who do dinner parties with the Cambridges, have vast farmland holdings – hence the moniker. But something tells us you won’t find them getting their hands dirty harvesting turnips any time soon.
