TheClermont Set was an exclusive group of rich British gamblers who met at theClermont Club, originally at 44Berkeley Square, inLondon's fashionableMayfair district. It closed in March 2018, re-opened in early 2022, and then temporarily closed again in August 2022.
The Clermont Club was mentioned in the Epstein files released by theU.S. Department of Justice.[1]
The house at 44 Berkeley Square was built in 1740 (to the design of the architectWilliam Kent) for LadyIsabella "Bell" Finch (1700–1771) who was aLady of the Bedchamber toPrincess Amelia. It is famed for its theatrical staircase and large grand saloon "one of the finest rooms of its scale and period in London",[2][3] the saloon design was based on the famous Double Cube Room atWilton House in Wiltshire. William Kent was also a close associate of Lady Bell's nieceCountess of Burlington and had also worked onBurlington House.[3] As she never married, the house was inherited by her nephewGeorge Finch-Hatton in 1771.[4]
It was purchased in 1774 byWilliam Henry Fortescue, 1st Earl of Clermont (1722–1806), an Irish peer, and served as his Londontownhouse.[5] Princess Amelia visited the house frequently, even after Lady Bell Finch's passing since the new owner Lord Clermont was also her friend.[5]
Lord and Lady Clermont entertained lavishly at the house and hosted their friends including,Prince of Wales,Duchess of Devonshire,Charles James Fox,Duke of Portland,Duke of Orléans[5]
It was the first London casino opened byJohn Aspinall after he received a gaming licence under Britain's new gambling law. Aspinall sold the club in 1972 toPlayboy Enterprises, which was forced to sell it in 1982 when it lost its licence.[6]
The club was founded in 1962 by John Aspinall and the original membership included fivedukes, fivemarquesses, almost twentyearls and twocabinet ministers.[7]
Society figures who frequented the club includedPeter Sellers,[8]Ian Fleming,David Stirling,Lucian Freud,Lord Lucan,Taki Theodoracopoulos,Lord Derby,Lord Boothby, and theDuke of Devonshire.[7]
Businessman members includedJames Goldsmith,Tiny Rowland,Gianni Agnelli,Jim Slater, andKerry Packer.
In 1976 Goldsmith initiated a libel action against the satirical magazinePrivate Eye, which had alleged that members of the Clermont Set, including Goldsmith, had conspired to shelter Lord Lucan after Lucan was suspected of murdering his family nanny, Sandra Rivett. Goldsmith won a partial victory and eventually reached asettlement with the magazine.[citation needed]