John Seymour, the 19th Duke of Somerset, and socialite Eliza Dugdale may have rekindled their relationship after several years apart, according to sources familiar with the situation. The pair, whose affair was publicly revealed in 2019, reportedly resumed contact following Dugdale’s seven-year residence in Spain.

The Duke, 73, is said to have assisted Dugdale, 67, in relocating to a secluded four-bedroom property approximately 20 miles from Bradley Park Estate, the Duke’s historic family home in Wiltshire. The residence is located about a mile from the nearest public road, offering considerable privacy. Reports indicate that the Duke has been covering the rent on this property and frequently visits Dugdale there. The two are also believed to have travelled together earlier this year on a three-week holiday to Argentina and attend social events together in the Wiltshire area.

An individual close to the couple described their arrangement as “an open secret,” adding that some locals assumed the relationship had ended but that the Duke and Dugdale “are genuinely in love.” The source also noted that the Duke often stays overnight at Dugdale’s home and that his clothing is regularly seen at the property, with tradespeople visiting for maintenance work.

Despite these developments, the Duke and his wife, Judith-Rose, continue to reside together at Bradley Park Estate and jointly host events within high society. The couple recently attended the Queen Charlotte’s Ball, an event with a long history that serves as a traditional presentation of young women entering society.

Eliza Dugdale’s personal history includes two previous marriages. Her first husband was huntsman Robin Smith-Ryland, who is reputed to have inspired the character Rupert Campbell-Black in author Jilly Cooper’s Rutshire novels. After their divorce in 1985, Dugdale married Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, a former Conservative Member of Parliament.

Following the initial public disclosure of her relationship with the Duke in 2019, Dugdale acknowledged the affair but indicated there would be no change in his marital status, stating that the Duke is “a man of honour” who would not leave his wife.

More recently, Dugdale denied that she is currently in a relationship with the Duke or that he is financially supporting her rent. The Duke declined to comment when approached for a statement.