I admire the way she has survived being thrown in the deep end. Visual pleasure is perhaps part of Lady Antonia’s appreciation of the Princess of Wales but, for the same reason that she has always “adored” Princess Anne, there is also a feminist aspect. It is not just a pleasure to talk to them, it is a pleasure to see them.”

Most of the feminists I know are extremely smartly dressed. Clothes are an expression of people and that is why they are interesting. Mine is an aesthetic appreciation.” She has no time for the idea that feminists should eschew fashionable clothes. I notice immediately when they walk into a room if it is pretty or smart. “I have one or two extremely fashionable and well dressed friends and I love to see what they are wearing. Photograph: United News/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty ImagesĪlthough in no way a fashion follower – “I don’t think fashion is interesting” – Lady Antonia likes and is aware of clothes. This examination of the exploitation of women seems a long way away from one of Antonia Fraser’s earliest efforts at writing: her ghosting of the memoirs of the world’s most famous couturier, Christian Dior.Īntonia Fraser at home in London on 17th April 1984. Lady Antonia, author of popular studies of historic figures like Cromwell, Charles II, and Mary Queen of Scots, has just had published in paperback her investigation of woman’s lot in the 17th Century: The Weaker Vessel. Wouldn’t that be a good idea? Think how nice and suitable Lady Germaine would sound.” It could become classless if everyone used it.

It is so friendly to be called by one’s Christian name. Why shouldn’t everyone be a lady? I have no wish to keep it to myself. It has the advantage of being like Ms, in that it makes it clear that I am female and does not make it obvious whether or not I am married. “I like being a lady,” she says, “because I think it is pretty.

She considers that it is a very good feminist title. L ady Antonia Fraser wishes so much that every woman could be a lady or at least called one.

The weaker vessel antonia fraser