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The real-life Downton-Style unions with English aristocracy that produced Princess Diana, Churchill and put the Queen on the throne.Affluent American women were keen to marry into English aristocracy.

Downton Abbey's Lady Grantham is based on a real rich heiress.

Women sought land and a title while men gained their fortune.

One such union led to birth of Winston Churchill.

Princess Diana, also descended from an American heiress.

US socialite Wallis Simpson caused abdication crisis. 

The character of Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey, played by Elizabeth McGovern, left, is based on Chicago-born Mary Leiter, right, who married to Lord Curzon of Kedleston, Viceroy of India in 1895.

Marriages like that of fictional Lord and Lady Grantham in Downton Abbey were not uncommon in the late 19th and early 20th century as American women from affluent families sought land and a title, while the Englishmen were in need of their fortunes.

Jennie JeromeJennie Jerome was born in Brooklyn in 1854 to Clara and Leonard Jerome, who had been dubbed 'the King of Wall Street' thanks to the wealth he had accumulated through the stock market.Jennie was an renowned beauty, and coupled with her family's wealth, was one of the most eligible women in high society when she came of age.

Jennie Jerome was a society beauty born in Brooklyn who married Lord Randolph Churchill. She is best known as the mother of British prime minister Winston Churchill.

Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, where Winston Churchill was born.

Lady Jennie Churchill pictured with her sons Winston Churchill (right) and John Churchill circa 1885.

Many people believe that is all thanks to his mother's influence (left) that Churchill (right) became so powerful.

Wallis SimpsonWallis Simpson was an American socialite who truly changed the course of British history as her marriage led to Queen Elizabeth II taking the throne.

Pennsylvania-born Wallis was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth but her beauty and intelligence led to her securing a number of marriages that saw her rise up in the world.

Wallis Simpson pictured in 1931 at the time she was presented at court. Wallis Simpson became the Duchess of Windsor when she married the Prince of Wales.

Wallis pictured with Edward VIII in 1942, he gave up the throne to marry her.

The wedding of Duke of Windsor (Edward VIII) and Wallis Simpson (Duchess of Windsor) in a private ceremony on 3 June 1937, at Château de Candé, near Tours, France.

Nancy Astor Nancy Astor was the first woman to become an MP in the House of Commons paving the way for future female politicians.

American Lady Nancy Astor, wife of Viscount William Waldorf Astor, became the first female MP in the House of Commons.

Viscountess Astor pictured in 1917, two years before she was elected to parliament.

Viscountess Nancy Astor, photographed on her 80th birthday in 1959, served as an MP until 1945.

Lady Astor became famous for hosting lavish parties for the richest and brightest members of High Society at Cliveden House, pictured.

Frances WorkFrances 'Fanny' Work was born in 1857 in New York, the daughter of self-made millionaire Frank Work. She grew up in fabulous wealth in their Elm Court home in Newport, Rhode Island, where her descendants continue to live to this day.

Frances 'Fanny' Work was an American heiress who Princess Diana descended from.

Princess Diana's mother, Frances, shared the same name as her grandmother.