Minnie Paget (Also known as: Minnie Stevens, Mrs Arthur Paget, Lady Paget) Favourite of Bertie, the Prince of Wales, Paget is an American living in London. An accomplished society hostess, she assists transatlantic marriages between the British aristocracy and American heiresses. Married to the untitled but well-connected Captain Arthur Paget from the aristocratic Paget family. Mother to four children, Albert Edward (godson of Bertie, the Prince of Wales), twins Arthur and Reginald and daughter Louise.
Sunny, Duke of Marlborough Emotionally repressed English aristocrat with a title for sale to save his beloved Blenheim Palace.
Consuelo Vanderbilt American debutante and one of the most eligible heiresses in society. In love with a dashing older man but totally dominated by her controlling mother, Alva.
Alva Vanderbilt (Also known as: Alva Smith) Wife of the wealthy Willie K Vanderbilt and ambitious mother of Consuelo Vanderbilt. Alva is determined that her imminent divorce won’t affect her hard-won place in society.
Arthur Paget Minnie’s husband, who makes his money through horse racing and his role as Bertie’s bookmaker. Arthur is not in possession of a hereditary title but with his wife, Minnie, they make a formidable team in society. As one of Bertie’s favourites, he’s almost guaranteed a title when Bertie becomes king.
Lily, Dowager Duchess of Marlborough (Also known as: Lilian Price, Lily Hamersley, Lily, Duchess of Marlborough) Twice widowed heiress who hopes to find love in England. Kind and rich, Lily is a favourite aunt of Winston Churchill.
Marietta Stevens (Also known as: Mrs Paran Stevens, Marietta Reed) Mother of Minnie Paget, widow of wealthy hotel magnate, Paran Stevens, sister of the always entertaining Fanny Reed, and New York society matron.
Mrs Astor New York society leader with the power to accept or shun social climbers into the fashionable set.
Bertie (Also known as: the Prince of Wales, King Edward VII) Leader of the Marlborough House Set. Fond of Americans.
Ward McAllister Self-styled social arbiter of New York and inventor of the Four Hundred.
Consuelo Manchester (Also known as: Consuelo Yznaga, Lady Mandeville, Dowager Duchess of Manchester) One of the original buccaneers, cigar-smoking Consuelo Manchester hails from the American South. Her family, the Yznagas, is of Cuban heritage and finds it difficult to be accepted into New York society. After her marriage to libertine Kim, the future Duke of Manchester, Consuelo Manchester has three children; Little Kim, heir to the Dukedom, and twin daughters, Lady Mary and Lady Alice. Perpetually broke owing to her husband’s gambling debts, Consuelo Manchester acts as a social sponsor for the daughters of American plutocrats desperate to acquire a title.
Kim, Duke of Manchester Impoverished English Duke who becomes one of the first English aristocrats to marry into American money when he marries Consuelo Manchester. A spendthrift and a rake, he is forever avoiding the shadow of bankruptcy.
Jennie Chamberlain Wife of Sir Herbert Naylor-Leyland and former mistress of Bertie. One of Minnie’s first proteges.
Josephine Chamberlain Jennie’s sister who is keen to follow in her footsteps and marry into the British aristocracy, becoming one of several pairs of sisters to do so during the transatlantic phenomenon.
Winthrop Rutherfurd Dashing sportsman and one of New York’s most eligible bachelors.
Mary Leiter Popular Washington heiress who counts President Cleveland’s wife as one of her best friends.
George Curzon The pompous heir to English country estate Kedleston with a passion for studying the East.
Maud Burke Vivacious San Francisco belle with a questionable background but a wealthy guardian who is prepared to furnish Maud with a tempting dowry.
Sir Bache Cunard English aristocrat with American connections. After a run of bad business decisions, Cunard finds himself in need of a cash injection to sustain his country estate.
Lord William Beresford Confirmed bachelor and accomplished soldier.
Pauline Whitney Young American heiress from the politically powerful Whitney family.
Almeric Paget Aristocrat from a historic English family and brother of Arthur Paget.