The dotty duchess

IN A WORLD OF WHIMSY, NOTHING'S PLAIN ABOUT JANE

- BY JEREMY ARMSTRONG

With Charles in Alnwick in 2012

She revels in the nickname "The Dotty Duchess", has a collection of stuffed animals and has built an adventure playground in her garden.

Jane Percy, the indomitable Duchess of Northumberland, was the star of a fly-on-the-wall TV series seen by millions.

She worked alongside King Charles during 15 years as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland and says of him: "His work ethic takes some beating.

"I've seen firsthand how much he cares about all sectors of communities and how he genuinely understands their needs."

She stepped down last year to focus on her latest venture, the £17.5million Lilidorei. Set in Alnwick Garden, it is the biggest play structure of its kind in the world, with a slide as tall as the Angel of the North, 20 miles of fairy lights and 1,500 Christmas trees.

Jane, 67, told us: "I am not different for the sake of it but the big specialists in London said that it is best to be different in the play world.

"In Dubai, the shopping centre there was the same as one in Kent. With Lilidorei, you are never going to see it anywhere else. Why not think outside the box? I do not want to do what other people have done, ever."

The duchess has just written a children's book, Amanita, sold with an illustrated guide to Lilidorei.