A Battle of Lavish Ball Gowns and Sparkling Wit

Sparing no expense on designer clothes and wielding their native wit, American socialites Jennie Jerome and Consuelo Yznaga took the British social scene by storm. Their competition was not pleased.
#JennieJerome #ConsueloYznaga #CashForClass #SmithsonianChannel
From MILLION DOLLAR AMERICAN PRINCESSES: Cash for Class bit.ly/1wFHJcE
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[@daniellahernandez3144]

I got so excited when I realized that it's narrated by Cora from Downton abbey

[@jamesinhamptonroads]

No, it is not. Cora is a fictional character. She does not really exist. This is narrated by Elizabeth McGovern who is an American actress.

[@barbaravick5634]

James Martin Thank you, I've been throwing that in a lot. Glad someone beat me to it.

[@dawnchristensen7492]

she narrates the series.

[@Jevon177]

Elizabeth McGovern is a surprisingly good narrator, credit where it's due, she's very engaging and I'd like to hear her do more.

[@ageofechochambers9469]

Her voice is annoying and forced

[@vernelledouglas1801]

"...the social abilities of a plant". Ha ha haaaa! How a destructively funny.

[@alicelu5691]

Vernelle Douglas yeap I can see that...

[@xbjrrtc]

Destruction 100

[@makhenaten]

Witty lol. (Mind you, plants seem to subtly communicate via some form of telepathy I believe.)

[@margo3367]

I run into people all the time who have what I call the "gift of gab." They're not socialites who've been taught what to say and when to say it. They're just gifted in that way. I find telling those people, sometimes complete strangers, more than what I intended to say at the beginning of our conversation. I think it takes really liking and trusting people. You can't fake that.

[@musaamir1210]

instablaster...

[@walqqr1]

They are very good at being interested in others, and because they take genuine interest in others, people feel more engaged and comfortable with them. The funny thing is that they don't even talk a lot, they just are nice to talk to.

[@roseariannamcgowan1302]

Keen observation, thank you

[@catherinesplane98]

Narrated by American actress Elizabeth McGovern, who portrayed Lady Grantham.

[@nrkgalt]

This video buried the lead by neglecting to mention the results of Jennie Jerome joining the London social scene. She married Randolph Churchill and had a son named Winston. Winston Churchill having an American mother had to have contributed to his being able to build rapport with President Franklin Roosevelt.

[@emoooooly7350]

Put a chemise under that corset Smithsonian, what are you doing!?

[@ashleya3731]

I would be that social plant

[@writerstemple3609]

No you would not Ashley. You are too funny!!!

[@LoveAlwaysAlwaysLove]

I've talked with plants all my life. You aren't green enough or bushy enough. Albeit, lovely.

[@salvadorsanchez9475]

Dont give your self too much credit.

[@katwernery6505]

I love Worth! His gowns are stunning!

[@francesquinn-escott744]

The Peacock Gown!

[@iforgotmyname4107]

Especially the Lily and the peacock gown ❤️🔥

[@estellacohen7122]

The art of conversation has been lost!!

[@asherduff8627]

And up, you know, like totally!

[@danielburmad382]

Literally

[@dorabarkley6335]

Estella Cohen yes, it has

[@noellefritz5678]

Estella Cohen how so? I'm genuinely curious why you think this.

[@kaberroneill94]

@@noellefritz5678 I was raised by my father to be a good hostess, which means that I know how to start conversations and keep them going - unless, that is, my partner doesn't. Then I get monosyllabic answers, or they ramble on about themselves without asking questions. The key to a good conversation is when two people are interested in getting to know the other person and ask questions. Or there is a mutual exchange of ideas about a topic. People I find today are to self absorbed and aren't interested in getting to know others or putting the effort forth. It makes me sad.

[@AmaraEmme]

I would love to see a Downton Abbey prequel starring Cora

[@rach5516]

That would be brilliant, a series around the young Dowager would also be good.

[@ThomasTrain-lo2xh]

There is it's Called "The Gilded Age". Give it Another Season or Two and They might put Cora and Her Family in...

[@DianaAmericaRivero]

Cora is based on these women.

[@KoriEmerson]

Worth gowns!! Thy are EVERYTHING.

[@hlwatts9979]

Moral of the story: Beauty is power!

[@Lavenderhaze768]

And money!

[@user-xx7pg3vw9k]

And brains.

[@guardianoftheduat]

Oh please beauty has nothing to do with it it's all about being enchanting people tend to get bored very easily when all u are is a beautiful empty husk besides people like that age very quickly

[@jacobwilliams5271]

And big knockers too, pushed up high

[@walqqr1]

@@guardianoftheduat its a package of several qualities. Beauty only attracts, but then you need more than that to make people stay.

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

It is so amazing that $20000 is $400000 in today's money. All that coin for a gown?! Wow!!!!

[@heyyoful]

Was the banjo already at the party? Or did she carry it around like a purse?

[@evanacostaa]

Bruno Medina If I carry my banjo around like a purse nowadays people will think I’m homeless.

[@lilith573]

probably under the dress, there was space, maybe like a banjo garter?

[@Sylvia-Storm]

Expect the servants carried it.

[@GuderII]

@@lilith573 the magic of buthole .. So spacious 😆

[@sharpaycutie2]

@@evanacostaa 😂😂😂who even assumes such a thing but I was homeless too and it doesn’t take much for people to assume the worst

[@wandaashley4399]

Thank you. I enjoyed this commentary very much.

[@fabfashionista13]

oh charles worth the father of haute couture

[@tseamus8288]

Rose Bertin is the mother ;)

[@louise-yo7kz]

fabfashionista13 yes

[@spiritisalive1]

Is there a way to see the full episodes?

[@meganferraro8145]

Get the Smithsonian channel on Amazon prime or sign up online

[@user-xx7pg3vw9k]

I love history.

[@uno1r]

fascinating

[@Emma-te6mi]

2:21 damnnn I want to look this graceful and beautiful when I'm old

[@barbaravick5634]

She isn't old you addlepated, ignoramus. She's probably pushing 40 years old there.

[@daphne4983]

@@barbaravick5634 the historian?? More like 60.

[@moniquewhite2850]

Where can I find the rest of this hellllppp please

[@kateSullivan3927]

amazon streaming:)

[@Angel-ts8rc]

Million dollar American princesses on Smithsonian and paramount +

[@dawnchristensen7492]

the American "Princess" brought their dowry's to revitalize estates were drowning in debt, in return hopefully a title and adoration.

[@mikeyd946]

Social abilities of a plant 🌱

[@Lauren.E.O]

My people 🌴

[@Mycactus2611]

Hi Smithsonian channel, what's the best way to watch these in full from Australia?

[@sasuke3690]

Is consuelo vanderbilt named after this consuelo?

[@rayarena879]

Yes, she is named after Consuelo Yznaga. In fact, Consuelo Yznaga was her godmother.

[@sasuke3690]

Ah how fascinating! thank you :)

[@bbus008]

This is narrated by Lady Grantham... Right?

[@ChiHatcher]

yes it is

[@catherinesplane98]

Bleau Bustenera The actress who portrayed Lady Grantham is named Elizabeth McGovern. She is an American.

[@pinklady051]

hah thought so.

[@manisham.b5483]

I thoght it was just me hearing her voice !!!!

[@leighmitcham210]

Bleau Bustenera m

[@talosheeg]

WHERE ARE THERE CHEMISES??!!!

[@libellle]

THANK YOU that was the comment I was looking for

[@talosheeg]

@@libellle no problem!!!

[@katboat7841]

*their

[@pinklady051]

Was there really no other music than the Turkish March to accompany the story? -__-

[@chykim1]

em. Do lighten up

[@525Lines]

I think it was the trousers.

[@briggyb]

3:29 Uhhhh is Zach Galifianakis a time traveler? 😂

[@ameliebowman5091]

The endings of these videos are so annoying! What happens next?!

[@avengerscap]

It's Lady Cora Crawley doing the narration.

[@renpilak6048]

I don’t even spend $20,000 in my lifetime for clothes! That’s today’s money, btw😂 (explains why so didn’t marry an aristocrat)! Life is good, still!

[@scottjharris]

LADY GRANTHAM?!??

[@jamesinhamptonroads]

No Elizabeth McGovern and American Actress. Lady Grantham is a fictional character and does not really exist.

[@konsueloramirez]

Jessica fellowes speaks identical to princess anne

[@PuenteAJ]

Is this an extract from a documentary, series, movie????

[@EmelyPhan]

Is that Emily Skinner from Total Eclipse?

[@wandaborowy9400]

Who want to live like that?

[@mastermonarch]

I'd trade my couch and drab life in a second

[@ashtonvickers928]

So glad we don't have to do that now

[@barbaravick5634]

ashton vickers Why? The dances were fun.

[@JehanineMelmoth]

What is the music in the first part, please?

[@JehanineMelmoth]

Before Anitra’s dance and the Rondo a la Turque.

[@bebejolie8187]

What is the background song called?

[@gloriamontgomery6900]

Mozart’s “Rondo a la Turk”

[@bigbearfuzzums7027]

Ha ha! Capitol..old Bertie couldn't resist our secret weapons,.!

[@icaregnebula]

2:30 Sherlock anyone?

[@The1nOnlyAllieJean]

I was waiting for Moriarty

[@toffthe]

"He loved their (American girls') snap.." Maybe you should check out English slang.

[@mr.rightnow.7300]

Prince or no prince. I wouldn't have let Bertie near me to save my life.

[@konsueloramirez]

Is that Consuelo Vanderbilt?

[@yola4297]

Konsuelo Ramírez Consuelo Yznaga, her namesake and godmother.

[@Angel-ts8rc]

Million dollar American princesses on Smithsonian and paramount +

[@anderander5662]

The men of that era all smoked themselves to death

[@hafsa2952]

Good lord

[@miriamhavard7621]

In the lap of luxury.......

[@cheetyliciousmeowmeow1085]

Ewwwww...Berty Rather be with the cute stable boy

[@barbaravick5634]

Cheetylicious meow meow Why do I have the overwhelming urge to write, "That figures"?

[@evacope1718]

He looks like the Tsar and king George in a way

[@nrkgalt]

@@evacope1718 Due to intermarriage between royal families they were relatives, and in this case a family resemblance came along with it.

[@Daaniel.A]

Love the fact that lady Grantham is narrating this vid

[@mcaskey358]

Did I hear that right? 90 dresses?

[@thnktank1]

Why were they kicked out of Paris?????????????

[@Richardsonprincess00]

Cause of the war in France

[@ann-carolinemorner6405]

She had money. She was tolerated, no more.

[@ebrahimpatel1120]

Who was it??? Consuelo or Jenny

[@ebrahimpatel1120]

BTW I mean who did the prince go for 😂

[@exoticlonghair]

que bonito se ve todo y en apariencia ellas tienen una vida envidiable, pero eran esclavas del glamour, la apariencia, el status social y el dinero, ¿cuantas de estas chavas conocerian el amor verdadero? sin tener la necesisda de venderse matrimonialmente a un rico, aunque suene feo el termino, aunque muchos matrimonios arreglados tenian mas exito que los matrimonios por amor, pero que hermosos habran sido esos bailes de debutantes, cotilliones y pachangas de alta sociedad, como un sueño hecho realidad, se habran sentido la Cenicienta cuando conoce al principe, yo creo.

[@cindyvargas9277]

Por esso es, que la gente rico son tan cruel; se pierde su humanidad pensando que el dinero valle todo. Esso es una mentira peligrosa - nunca habra bastante dinero llenar sus vidas vacidas.

[@princekrazie]

Corset on skin =🙀🚫

[@lizabethgussman3862]

Are young British women still given a season?

[@flake452]

It was never really "British women" it was upper class women, now they through loads of these balls for wealthy foreigners mostly Chinese and Russians I think.

[@stephaniemcintosh2808]

There is no old fashioned debutants ball - that stopped in the 60s. However, if you don't get into university, you are normally sent to be 'finished' at a finishing school. The best are Swiss. After that, parents spend exorbitant members fees to have them seen at the right clubs, sporting and social events in the hope they 'bag' someone well placed. No change at all really then!

[@chykim1]

Lizabeth Gussman not really the name of the program... Lol!!

[@barbaravick5634]

Lizabeth Gussman Some do

[@barbaravick5634]

flake452 When I was 18 there were still debutante balls in the states, nearly fifty years ago. I honestly don't know anymore.

[@olivia15073]

Someone really needs to give a muscle relaxer to poor Jessica Fellowes for her face. I got cramps in my lips just watching her talk.

[@Charleschaplins]

Feel good Fakery...

[@XX-gy7ue]

unfortunately the obvious truth is meaner than presented here , and sickening ! money dirties !

[@barbaravick5634]

X X Could you please explain your cryptic words?

[@juliam.mallen2167]

Your posts sicken me.

[@kitkat7517]

Isn't Consuelo's last name Vanderbilt? I have never heard of Yznaga!

[@ryanireland2201]

2 different people

[@shammydammy2610]

Consuelo Yznaga born 1853. Consuelo Vanderbilt born 1877.

[@AAA-vk4wh]

Dirty Bertie

[@johnlocke4695]

So those women are basically gold diggers.

[@joeyjoejoejr.shabadoo6332]

Can't blame them tho, it's the society back then that forced them to be like that

[@miriamhavard7621]

I thought the men were.

[@joeyjoejoejr.shabadoo6332]

@@miriamhavard7621 honestly, them too. But mostly women

[@aricarly]

Actually the men were broke, the women were rich heiresses. But they were "new money" so they wanted a title, and those men could offer that (in exchange of hefty dowry).

[@tigerwa]

Why are they suggesting no British woman ever bought a dress by Worth, that is laughable in is total stupidity. Fair enough if they want to tell a story from one jaded angle though suggesting british women didn't wear dresses by a british designer is plainly stupid it is cringeworthy that they expect people to believe this absolute shit.

[@shammydammy2610]

They may have bought *a* dress. They may have bought a *dozen* of them. Maybe even twenty. But ninety?

[@barbaravick5634]

tigerwa That's alright. You're just not following the story. You must learn to pay attention.

[@marabarnes7407]

So wrong...

[@booboo7389]

Nice video!! I just wanted to say to everyone who reads this, God loves you so much, he sent his only begotten son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for your sins and rose VICTORIOUSLY on the THIRD DAY!! John 3:16 King James Version 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[@kudzu937]

Soooooooo...These socialites were brought up being told how wonderful and entitled they were...Sounds like the SJW of today...Hmmmmm...2017.....

[@flipmaya]

Kudzu and it gave them the vitality and confidence the British girls don't have, an advantage for them. Anything wrong with that? Or do you prefer emotionally repressed English girls?

[@gabrielle6583]

Kudzu You miss the huge difference though. These women are very well educated and well rounded in their pursuits.

[@kieranmahon4382]

Damn, flipmaya! Great clapback!

[@Amateur_Pianist_472]

You are entitled to what your parents give you. That’s not sjw entitlement. Sjw’s want to steal from other people. These women never did. Btw she was brilliant. It wasn’t snottiness or a belief that she was better than she was, she was brilliant. The English dulled their women down, which made them less mentally attractive.

[@clockworkhearts4085]

you should revisit the definition of a “SJW”, you seem to have misunderstood what it means to be one.

[@bduhe219]

that woman should really try and get someone to teach her some elocution skills when saying "r"s in words. how lazy her pronunciation sounds. sloppy, for someone well educated.

[@ej3016]

"that woman" - do elaborate since this is a video full of women!?!

[@bduhe219]

Elizabeth Johnston jessica fellows

[@bduhe219]

***** i am not being rude. it is the way she speaks, and that can be changed. it is a replacement of the "R" sound with a "W" sound. it is a common impediment that can be corrected. highly cultured and educated people, should have no reason not to at least attempt to learn proper pronunciation skills, especially when money is not a factor in getting that help.

[@bduhe219]

***** i never said that she was a bad person, i just commented on it because it is a distraction. you notice it, and it was something that kept me not listening to what she said, but how she said it. i am nothing to her, and i mean nothing to her. i was a small comment to point out a small issue. i admit to that. i never meant she needed to rearrange her life for me. i was an observation. that British historian, Lucy Wears, i think that is her name, has a similar thing about her speech. it is a distraction as well, but that does not mean she cares about me, or would change a damned thing. as she and the women we have been talking about, should.

[@alicehudson8079]

Oh don't be so silly. People look different, people sound different; what a dull world if everyone sounded the same.