The Duke of Somerset, John Seymour, has reportedly reconnected with Eliza Dugdale, the socialite whose affair with him became public in 2019 and forced her into a seven-year exile in Spain. The revelation is likely to reignite interest in the long-running scandal, given the Duke remains married to his wife of more than 40 years, Judith-Rose, with whom he continues to share a home and host prestigious society events.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the Duke, 73, helped Ms Dugdale, 67, move into a secluded four-bedroom house around 20 miles from his Wiltshire estate and is understood to be paying her rent, with sources describing frequent overnight visits and a recent three-week holiday together in Argentina. Ms Dugdale, previously married to huntsman Robin Smith-Ryland and later to former Tory MP Richard Grosvenor Plunkett-Ernle-Erle-Drax, had confirmed the affair in 2019 but said the Duke would never leave his wife. She has now denied being in a relationship with him or that he pays her rent, and the Duke did not respond to requests for comment.