From ugly duckling into swan – the remarkable transformation of Pamela Digby

The tramp of lovers marching through our heroine’s bedroom in the first half of Sonia Purnell’s Kingmaker almost deafens the reader. But then not for nothing did Pamela Digby Churchill Hayward Harriman become known as the alpha courtesan of the 20th century. What is perhaps not so well covered is her decade-long influence on American politics before becoming the United States Ambassador to France under (no, not literally) Bill Clinton.

The Hon Pamela Digby was born on 20 March 1920 and brought up quietly in Dorset, riding, hunting and meeting only those her parents (her father was the 11th Baron Digby) considered above the social plimsoll line. Early on she realised that what gave a woman supreme independence was great wealth – usually acquired through a man.

After a humiliating first season – she was thought too plump – she accepted the proposal of the appalling Randolph Churchill, who thought he might be killed in the forthcoming war and wanted to ensure an heir first.