Alexandra Dutton’s (Julia Schlaepfer) relation to the British royal family comes into play in 1923 season 2 after the season 1 finale revealed Spencer’s (Brandon Sklenar) wife’s relation to the crown. In 1923 season 1, Alex and Spencer meet at a hotel in Nairobi after the death of Dutton’s hunting partner. Spencer runs into Alex at the bar, who has been dared by her girlfriends to deduce whether the American hunter is the famous Spencer Dutton. Alex is aware of Spencer’s latest win, killing the man-eating leopards of Mount Suswa, where he lost his partner, Kagiso (Raymond Watanga).
During their brief encounter, Alex and Spencer get lost in one another for a moment before the Lady’s friends inform the hunter that their friend is engaged. Still, despite her commitment, Alex follows Spencer to Tanganyika, leaving her marriage to a man named Arthur (Rafe Soule). While it’s apparent that Alex had absolved an engagement, the severity of her decision isn’t evident until 1923 season 1’s finale, when she had already married Spencer. 1923 season 1’s ending explains that Alex Dutton is connected to the British royal crown, and she has offended her surrounding nobility.
Alexandra Dutton’s Relation To Britain’s Royal Family In 1923 Season 2 Explained
Alex Has Ties To The British Royal Crown
In 1923 season 1’s finale, the other passengers on the British liner reveal that Alex was engaged to the Earl of Sussex. Alex’s engagement to Arthur made her the next Countess of Sussex, and the ship’s Captain refers to Alex by her title when questioning the legality of her and Spencer’s marriage. Arthur’s official title as the Earl of Sussex circulated after Alex’s former fiancé challenged Spencer to a duel. As the 1923 characters head to the ship’s bow, a crew member informs the Captain of a duel between “Some American” and “the Earl of Sussex.”
Ultimately, Spencer throws Arthur off the ship when the Earl draws a gun, killing Alex’s former fiancé. 1923 season 2, episode 1 reveals that in the time since the incident, Alex’s family has been blacklisted by the Royals. When her friend visits, Alex tells Jennifer (Jo Ellen Pellman) that Arthur has banned her family from London, and the squandered connection means that Alex has surrendered a life among the royals. Alex tells Jennifer the marriage is a “real estate transaction” in 1923 season 1, episode 2, so it’s safe to assume Alex’s family was surrounded by nobility.
Who Were The Real Life Earl And Countess Of Sussex In 1923
Queen Victoria’s Son, Prince Arthur, Was The Earl Of Sussex
The title Earl of Sussex has rotated in and out of history for centuries, with gaps in the succession. The title was last created for Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Arthur, in 1874. Prince Arthur was officially known as the 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn and the 1st Earl of Sussex. Queen Victoria’s son also had a son who shared his name. While he never became the Earl of Sussex, Queen Victoria’s grandson was born at Windsor Castle. He eventually became a military officer, and Arthur married Princess Alexandra.
While all the pieces don’t line up, authentic elements of the British royal crown feel familiar to Arthur and Alexandra’s 1923 story. There was indeed an Earl of Sussex in 1923. He also had a son named Arthur. It’s also true that Arthur never succeeded his father, Queen Victoria’s son, as the next Earl, though it wasn’t because Spencer Dutton threw him off a boat. That said, Alex would have had a bit of star power in her day — after all, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex today are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.