Based on the true story of Mary Willcocks Baker, who appeared in 1817 in Gloucestershire, England, speaking an unknown language and behaving strangely. Through signs and gestures she claimed to be a princess from an island called Javasu, who had been kidnapped by pirates and escaped. For several months, "Princess Caraboo" was a national figure and was welcomed into high society. Her story was revealed as a hoax after a local woman saw her face in the newspaper and recognized her as a former tenant. After being exposed, the real Mary Baker faded into obscurity and died in 1864 at the age of 75.
The beige dress with paisley bodice Rachel Fielding (Mrs. Benson ) wears while being interviewed by Mr. Gutch is the same costume Sabina Franklyn (Jane Bennet) wears at Longbourn in "Pride and Prejudice" (1980), Julie Cox (Annabella Milbanke) wears to read Byron's poetry book in Byron (2003) (TV), and Freema Agyeman (Tattycoram) wears on the Marseilles wharf in "Little Dorrit" (2008). The same costume is also worn by an extra on the Marseilles wharf in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002), worn by a guest at Fanny's wedding in Miss Austen Regrets (2008) (TV).
The tan and brown print satin pelisse Anna Chancellor (Mrs. Peake) wears when she comes to the Worrall's house is the same gown Sheila Gish (Mrs. Norris) wears to Maria's wedding in Mansfield Park (1999). The costume is also worn an extra during the French invasion in Goya's Ghosts (2006), and by an extra in the first church scene in Miss Austen Regrets (2008) (TV).
The jeweled white gown with dark velvet overdress Jacqueline Pearce wears at the Prince Regent's ball is the same costume worn by an extra at the London ball in Sense and Sensibility (1995), by Embeth Davidtz (Mary Crawford) for the theatrical in Mansfield Park (1999), and by Jane How (Lady Holland) to a ball in Byron (2003) (TV).