Hodder & Stoughton buys ‘eclectic’ memoir of the 12th Duke of Beaufort

Hodder & Stoughton has acquired The Unlikely Duke, a “lively and anecdote-filled” memoir by the 12th Duke of Beaufort – Harry Beaufort – about his life, from being a rock performer through to inheriting his dukedom and the world-famous Badminton House, where much of the TV series “Bridgerton” was filmed.

Editorial consultant Tom Perrin, who has previously worked with authors including Anne Glenconner and Hugo Vickers, acquired world rights directly from the author.

The publisher says The Unlikely Duke takes readers behind the scenes as Beaufort combines his responsibilities as Duke with life as a musician – from partying on Ibiza with film stars and gigs with his band in legendary venues, to playing poker with politicians and people watching with The Queen from a balcony at Windsor Castle.

Beaufort was born in 1952 and educated at Eton and the Royal Agricultural College. He is a singer and songwriter with the group The Listening Device. He inherited his dukedom in 2017 and now lives at Badminton House with his second wife, Georgia. The Unlikely Duke will be published on 16th November 2023 in hardback, e-book and audiobook.

Beaufort said: “Like many people, I have long felt that I had a book in me. I would not have got round to writing one, however, had it not been for the Covid-19 lockdown. While working on this memoir, I began to appreciate more and more that I have been uniquely fortunate to move in many different worlds, some of which may soon be gone forever. I hope I am also someone who has never taken himself too seriously and as a result the stories about the people I have met and the places I have known are punctuated with much laughter and occasional irreverence.”

Perrin said: “It has been great fun to work with Harry and his book reveals his considerable talent as a storyteller. The Unlikely Duke is filled with the most brilliant stories and is a jaw-dropping read.”