Considering the entry requirements of joining the ranks of nobility and/or royalty are pretty sizeable in the modern era (not to mention the long-term commitment), it’s no surprise that the population is so low. There are, after all, not that many people in the world who can affix a ‘Lord,’ ‘Lady,’ ‘Prince,’ or ‘Princess’ to the front of their name nowadays.
So, of the small pool of gentry and aristocracy, we like to think we’re well-acquainted with the stylish few who we regularly keep our eye on for sartorial inspiration. From the very tip of the kingdom, in The Duchess of Cambridge, to the odd stylish lady, à la Lady Amelia Windsor, we’re rather familiar.
That said, we’re still pleasantly surprised when we stumble upon a chic royal we’ve never heard of—and whose wardrobe (and, of course, lifestyle) we can covet.
Enter: Laura Cavendish, the Countess of Burlington.
An ex-fashion editor for Harper’s BAZAAR, a freelance fashion consultant who has worked with the likes of Selfridges and Acne, a former stylist, and a long-standing New Generation board member, Cavendish (née Roundell), has an impressive fashion resume.
She also happens to be married to photographer Bill Burlington, the heir to the Duke of Devonshire, and current Earl of Burlington. The two were married in 2007 (the bride wore Alberta Ferretti—to die for), and have three children: Lady Maud Cavendish, James Cavendish, Lord Cavendish and Lady Elinor Cavendish.
The family of five live in Ireland in the impressive Lismore Castle, their Irish seat, and have transformed a wing of their extensive property into an Arts Gallery, Lismore Castle Arts.
When she’s not attending to her noble duties, Burlington (Burlington being the informal use of her title, which she uses as a last name over ‘Cavendish’—in the same way Prince Harry styles himself ‘Harry Wales’) also does the usual rounds on the fashion circuit, just yesterday attending the Gucci spring/summer show in Milan.
We had a look through some of her most stylish moments to help you acquaint yourself with your new countess crush.
