American Countess
Welcome to American Countess!
I’m Julie Montagu, Countess of Sandwich, an American from a small town outside Chicago who married into the British aristocracy. My husband, Luke, is the 12th Earl of Sandwich, and we live at Mapperton House, our historic family estate in the stunning West Dorset countryside.
Join me as I explore Britain’s most magnificent castles, manor houses, and stately homes, meeting their owners and uncovering the incredible history behind these remarkable places. I’ll be stepping inside grand historic interiors, wandering through breathtaking gardens and estates, and discovering how these extraordinary homes have been adapted for modern living.
📺 Watch the series and step into history with me!
💛 Support the channel, be a part of am amazing community who love Castles, Manors and Stately Homes as much as I do, and get exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Patreon www.patreon.com/americanviscountess
With love,
Julie xx
American Countess
They were called the Dollar Princesses—American heiresses who crossed the Atlantic in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, bringing vast dowries to rescue Britain’s crumbling stately homes in exchange for titles.
But not every transatlantic marriage ended in a fairytale. Behind the glittering façades lay stories of financial ruin, unhappy unions, and women forced to navigate a world that no longer matched the glamour they had once known.
✨ Read my latest article: The Fall of the American Heiress
👉 open.substack.com/pub/juliemontagu/p/the-fall-of-t…
1 week ago | [YT] | 120
View 0 replies
American Countess
💎 The Gilded Age Season 3 Finale – and the Heiress in My Family Who Lived It for Real 💎
If you’ve been following me on @TheGildedHeiresses channel (thank you!), you’ll know how much I love uncovering the real stories behind this dazzling era. Now I’m taking it a step further with my brand-new Gilded Age Substack, where I can share in-depth articles, behind-the-scenes history, and personal connections you won’t find anywhere else.
Season 3 of The Gilded Age has just wrapped (for now…), and it immediately made me think of someone from my own family: my husband Luke’s great-grandmother, Alberta Sturges. She was an American heiress who crossed the Atlantic during the Gilded Age to marry George Montagu, heir to the Ninth Earl of Sandwich, in 1905.
But Alberta wasn’t your typical “cash for title” bride—she had a deep spiritual side, and when George first proposed, she said no. In fact, she said no for six months before finally saying yes on her own terms.
In my latest Substack article, I share my thoughts on the finale, unpack the big moments, and draw fascinating parallels between Bertha Russell’s fictional world and Alberta’s real life.
📖 Read it here & subscribe to my new Gilded Age Substack: juliemontagu.substack.com/p/the-gilded-age-season-…
2 weeks ago | [YT] | 136
View 3 replies
American Countess
🎥 No episode today—but for good reason! I’m going LIVE tomorrow (Sunday 3rd August) for a special Ask Me Anything with American Countess Patrons!
If you've ever wanted to know more about life at Mapperton, Alberta Sturges, filming in historic houses, juggling family life, or what really goes on behind the scenes—this is your chance to ask!
💬 Patrons can ask me anything—and I’ll be answering live, from Mapperton.
👉 Not yet a Patron? Join today and become one of our Founding 500 before we go live:
www.patreon.com/americanviscountess
We’re only 5 away from reaching 400 Patrons—and I’ll be sending a very special surprise to celebrate when we do! 🥳
✨ As a Founding 500 Patron, you'll also receive:
– A personalised certificate
– A digital scrapbook of Alberta Sturges’ never-before-seen letters
– An exclusive desktop wallpaper
📺 I’ll be back next Saturday with an all-new vlog—until then, I hope to see you LIVE tomorrow!
Julie x
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 111
View 3 replies
American Countess
Something a little different on American Countess this week—a peek into my London life! I took Jack to his first-ever yoga class, I filmed for a Royal Documentary and later we celebrated my Master’s degree distinction with a good old-fashioned pub quiz.
This new vlog is part of a series sharing more of my day-to-day as a mother, student, and Countess in London and at Mapperton.
👀 Watch here: https://youtu.be/DtMQxrCXqTM
Would you like to see more of this lifestyle content?
🗳️ Cast your vote!
Poll:
What should I share more of on American Countess?
2 months ago | [YT] | 258
View 16 replies
American Countess
NEW CHANNEL ALERT! ✨ @TimelessBritishHomes Castle Interiors: A Hidden World of Elegance ✨
We all admire the grandeur of historic castles from the outside—but what lies within their walls? In this video, we take you beyond the imposing façade and into the breathtaking interiors of one of Britain’s most magnificent homes.
From ornate ceilings and lavish drawing rooms to intimate details that whisper of past lives, this is your invitation to explore a world of aristocratic luxury.
🕰️ Step back in time.
🏰 Discover the beauty behind the stone.
👀 Prepare to be surprised…
Watch now here: https://youtu.be/vXDle6o6nNw and let me know—which interior detail captured your imagination the most?
2 months ago | [YT] | 44
View 0 replies
American Countess
🕵️♀️ POLL: What was the most bizarre item I found in the castle attic?
You won't believe what turned up after decades hidden away... watch here: https://youtu.be/6S37KVr_-fw
Which do you think it was?
2 months ago | [YT] | 113
View 1 reply
American Countess
With your help, I've narrowed down the name of my new Antiques venture but now it's up to you to help me choose the winner! See below!
3 months ago | [YT] | 382
View 79 replies
American Countess
💸 What have I gotten myself into? I’ve just started a brand new antiques venture—armed with only $100 and a very risky plan. I headed to an auction house hoping to find hidden gems I could re-sell… but it didn’t go quite as I expected.
Will I come out ahead—or end up with a pile of unsellable oddities? 😬
This is the first step in what could become a wonderful new project… or a complete disaster.
🎥 Watch the full video now to see what I bought—and whether I made a huge mistake: https://youtu.be/e3gG5Okh_6M
3 months ago | [YT] | 284
View 10 replies
American Countess
Join me in Milan for one of the most unforgettable days of our lives! 🇮🇹 Our son ran his very first marathon—right through the heart of this stunning Italian city—and absolutely amazed us with his performance. The energy on the streets was electric, the crowds were wild, and it felt like the entire city came out to cheer.
I was there with our daughter—his proud sister—as we followed him from checkpoint to checkpoint, soaking in the spirit of the race and cheering him on. From the start line to the emotional finish, this was a day full of family pride, Italian passion, and pure joy.
Whether you’ve run a marathon yourself or just love a good uplifting story, I hope you enjoy coming along with us for this special family moment. 💛
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if this made you smile—and let me know in the comments if you’ve ever experienced something like this! Watch it all unfold here: https://youtu.be/nxqyD6nhL00
3 months ago | [YT] | 79
View 0 replies
American Countess
🎬 Just Filmed a Royal Doc on Prince Harry – Want to See Behind the Scenes?
Big news! I’ve just filmed for a brand-new documentary on Prince Harry, set to air next week here in the UK 🇬🇧 We shot at a gorgeous hotel in South Kensington and discussed some of the very latest headlines — including that BBC interview where Harry claimed the King won’t speak to him and doesn’t have much time left… 😮
✨ Founding Members of my American Countess Patreon (select tiers) get exclusive behind-the-scenes access from the filming day — it’s a little thank you for your support and a sneak peek into what goes into these productions.
If you’re not already a member, now’s a great time to join! 💛
👉 www.patreon.com/americanviscountess
3 months ago | [YT] | 274
View 85 replies
Load more