The Jane Austen House in the English village of Chawton is where Austen wrote such classic novels as “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility.” It’s a popular destination for lovers of literature — among them Camilla Parker Bowles. The Duchess of Cornwall took a tour of the home on April 6, 2022, and met with staff members and trustees. Director Lizzie Dunford said in a press release, “It was a delight to show Her Royal Highness around the House as she is such an avid reader and supporter of literacy.”
Camilla admired Austen’s writing table, the first editions of her famous books, and samples of her jewelry. However, one artifact in particular really caught her attention. The museum currently has an exhibit of Regency-era undergarments, and included in the collection is the white shirt Colin Firth wore as Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC series “Pride and Prejudice.” In an iconic scene, Firth emerges from a jump in a lake, looking rather damp and hunky (via The Guardian).
The memory was still fresh in Camilla’s mind as she examined the shirt and remarked, “But he’s not in it — that’s a bit sad” (via YouTube). The Austen House’s director, Lizzie Dunford, agreed that it wasn’t “quite as damp as it was.” To that, Camilla quipped, “You could give it a good spray.”
Firth, who’s not active on social media, hasn’t commented on the duchess’s encounter, but one might imagine he’d be flattered to have the future Queen Consort admiring his most famous costume.
