How Old Is Simon Basset? Unraveling The Duke Of Hastings' Age In Bridgerton

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29 Jul, 2025

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It’s almost like a delightful mystery, isn't it? When you get completely swept up in a story, especially one as captivating as Bridgerton, you start to wonder about all the little details that make the characters feel so real. One question that pops up for many fans, very often, is about the true age of the dashing Duke of Hastings, Simon Basset. His presence on screen, you know, really commands attention, and his past certainly shapes who he is.

Understanding a character's age can, in a way, give us so much more insight into their motivations and the choices they make. For Simon, a man burdened by a difficult upbringing and a strong sense of duty, his years on this earth are a pretty big part of his story. It helps us grasp the weight he carries, the experiences that shaped his rather guarded personality, and why he behaves the way he does, particularly in matters of the heart.

So, you might be wondering, just how old is Simon Basset? We're going to take a closer look at what the books tell us, how the show portrays him, and why this particular detail is, quite frankly, so interesting to so many people who follow his journey. It’s a bit of a fun exploration, actually, into the specifics of a beloved character.

Simon Basset: A Brief Biography
Simon Basset's Age: What the Books Tell Us
The Duke's Age in the Show vs. Books
- Does the Show Change His Age?
- Regé-Jean Page's Age and Simon Basset
Why Does Simon Basset's Age Matter So Much?
Frequently Asked Questions About Simon Basset's Age
Final Thoughts on Simon Basset

Simon Basset: A Brief Biography

Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, is, you know, a central figure in the first season of Bridgerton. He's a rather mysterious and charming character, carrying a lot of personal history. His story begins with a truly difficult childhood, marked by a distant and cruel father, and a very close bond with Lady Danbury, who basically became a mother figure to him.

He's known for his wit, his intelligence, and a deep-seated vow to never marry or have children, which, as you might expect, causes quite a stir in the Ton. His return to London sets off a chain of events that leads him into a rather complicated, yet undeniably passionate, arrangement with Daphne Bridgerton. It's a pretty compelling setup, if you ask me.

Here’s a quick look at some personal details about him, just to get a clearer picture of the man behind the title.

Detail	Description
Full Name	Simon Arthur Henry Fitzranulph Basset
Title	Duke of Hastings
Family	Son of the late Duke of Hastings, raised primarily by Lady Danbury
Spouse	Daphne Bridgerton
Children	August (Augie) Basset, and later, Isabella Basset
Key Traits	Intelligent, charming, brooding, fiercely independent, loyal to those he cares about
Residence	Clyvedon Castle, London townhouse

Simon Basset's Age: What the Books Tell Us

The Bridgerton series, as you probably know, is based on Julia Quinn's wonderful novels. These books often give us, you know, a bit more specific detail about character ages than the show sometimes does. For Simon Basset, his age is actually a pretty important plot point in "The Duke and I," the first book in the series.

His Age at the Start of Season 1

In the source material, Simon Basset is, quite explicitly, around 29 years old when he makes his grand return to London society. This is when he first encounters Daphne Bridgerton and their rather infamous "fake courtship" begins. It’s a specific age that, in a way, tells you a lot about his standing and expectations.

Being nearly 30 in the Regency era, you see, meant he was considered a man who had more or less come into his own. He was past the initial exuberance of youth, yet still very much in his prime. This age, too, really fits his character arc, showing him as someone who has had time to travel, to think, and to solidify his rather firm opinions about life and marriage.

His age, you know, also puts him in a position where society expects him to marry and produce an heir. This expectation, of course, directly clashes with his personal vow, making his internal conflict all the more compelling. It’s a rather classic setup for drama, wouldn't you say?

Age During His Courtship and Marriage

As the story progresses through the courtship and then into the marriage, Simon, basically, remains 29 years old for the duration of the main events of the first book. The timeline of "The Duke and I" unfolds over a period of months, so his birthday doesn't, apparently, fall within that specific timeframe. This means he enters and exits the main narrative of the first season at the same age.

This consistency in his age throughout the initial romantic entanglement is, in a way, pretty key. It means his motivations and his stubbornness are rooted in a relatively fixed point in his life. He isn't experiencing, you know, any major coming-of-age revelations tied to a new decade of life during this period.

His maturity, therefore, is pretty much established from the get-go. He's not a young, impressionable man, but a fully formed adult with deeply ingrained habits and beliefs. This, you know, makes his eventual change of heart all the more impactful, showing just how powerful love can be, even for someone so set in their ways.

The Significance of His Age

Simon's age of 29 is, in some respects, quite significant. For one thing, it places him at a point where he's old enough to have experienced the world beyond his father's suffocating influence. He's had years to travel, to study, and to build a life independent of his family's expectations. This is why he seems so worldly, you know, compared to some of the younger characters.

It also, you know, highlights the age gap between him and Daphne, who is much younger at 21. This difference in age is a key dynamic in their relationship, contributing to misunderstandings but also to a certain kind of mentorship from Simon. He's seen more, he's done more, and he has a different perspective on life, which can be both a challenge and a strength for their bond.

Furthermore, his age means he's been carrying the weight of his past and his vow for a considerable amount of time. It's not a fleeting teenage rebellion, but a deeply ingrained conviction formed over years of pain and resentment. This makes his journey towards healing and acceptance all the more profound, you know, for the reader and viewer.

The Duke's Age in the Show vs. Books

While the Bridgerton television series generally stays true to the spirit of Julia Quinn's novels, there are, as a matter of fact, sometimes small adjustments made for dramatic effect or to streamline the narrative. When it comes to character ages, the show tends to be a little less precise, often leaving the exact numbers unstated.

Does the Show Change His Age?

The show doesn't, actually, explicitly state Simon Basset's age in the first season. However, the portrayal of his character and his background strongly suggests that he is, more or less, in his late twenties, consistent with the books. He carries himself with a certain maturity and weariness that implies he's not fresh out of university, but rather someone who has lived a bit.

The narrative still emphasizes his long-standing friendship with Anthony Bridgerton, who is also in his late twenties or early thirties. This, you know, implicitly places Simon in a similar age bracket. The show relies on visual cues and character interactions to convey his age rather than, you know, stating a precise number.

So, while the exact figure isn't spoken aloud on screen, the spirit of Simon being a man in his late twenties, just on the cusp of thirty, is very much present. This allows for a bit of flexibility, you know, while still maintaining the core dynamic of his character.

Regé-Jean Page's Age and Simon Basset

It's interesting, you know, to consider the age of the actor who brings Simon Basset to life. Regé-Jean Page, who plays the Duke of Hastings, was born in 1988, which would have made him around 32 years old when the first season of Bridgerton premiered in late 2020. This is, you know, pretty close to Simon's age in the books.

Actors often play characters who are slightly older or younger than their actual age, but in this case, Page's age aligns quite well with the character's maturity and life experience. His portrayal, you know, captures the gravitas and the underlying pain of a man who has lived through a lot, which feels very authentic for a character in his late twenties.

This casting choice, therefore, really helps to ground the character in a believable age range. It allows the audience to accept Simon as a man of experience, yet still young enough for a passionate and, you know, rather tumultuous romance. It's a pretty good match, honestly.

Why Does Simon Basset's Age Matter So Much?

You might wonder why fans are so curious about Simon Basset's age. It's not just about a number, you know. His age, in a way, underpins so much of his character, his decisions, and his relationships. It provides context for his rather complex personality and his journey throughout the story.

Character Development and Past

Simon's age gives weight to his backstory. If he were, say, much younger, his deep-seated issues with his father and his vow might seem, you know, a bit less believable. But as a man approaching 30, his years of carrying that burden, his years of resentment, and his years of self-imposed isolation make his character arc all the more poignant.

His age suggests a period of independence and self-discovery away from the Ton. He hasn't just been, you know, sitting around. He's traveled, he's studied medicine, and he's built a life for himself on his own terms. This experience, naturally, shapes his worldview and his reluctance to conform to society's expectations, making him a truly unique figure.

So, his age is, in essence, a reflection of the time he's had to become the man he is: a man who is strong-willed, intelligent, and, you know, deeply scarred. It helps us understand why he is so resistant to change, and why his eventual vulnerability is such a powerful moment.

Relationship Dynamics with Daphne

The age difference between Simon (around 29) and Daphne (21) is, you know, a pretty significant aspect of their relationship. It creates a dynamic where Simon is seen as the more experienced, worldly partner, while Daphne is still, in some respects, learning about life and love. This imbalance, actually, leads to some of their early conflicts and misunderstandings.

Simon's greater life experience means he's, basically, more jaded and cynical about love and marriage, especially compared to Daphne's hopeful and somewhat naive perspective. This contrast, you know, fuels much of their initial banter and eventually, their deeper connection. It's a classic setup where opposites attract, but with a nuanced age dynamic at play.

Their ages also, in a way, reflect the societal expectations of the time. It was quite common for men to marry women younger than themselves, particularly if the man was a titled gentleman. This detail, you know, helps ground their story in the historical context of the Regency era, making their romance feel more authentic.

The Concept of "Old" in Society

When we talk about "how old" Simon Basset is, it makes you think about what "old" really means, doesn't it? Our "My text" actually mentions how the word "old" has so many different meanings and synonyms, like "ancient," "antiquated," "antique," "archaic," "obsolete," and "venerable." For Simon, being 29 in the Regency era wasn't "old" in the sense of being "obsolete," but it certainly carried a different weight than it might today.

His title, the Duke of Hastings, is, in a way, "ancient" in its lineage, stretching back through generations. He carries a "venerable" family name, even if he personally struggles with its legacy. So, while he's not personally "old" in years, he is, you know, deeply connected to things that are "old" – tradition, family history, and expectations that are, arguably, "archaic" by modern standards.

It’s also interesting to consider how the passage of time can affect people, much like the premise of the movie "Old" which, you know, explores rapid aging. While Simon doesn't experience that, his internal struggles make him feel, perhaps, "older" than his years, carrying the weight of his past. The perception of age, and what it implies, is, honestly, a pretty fascinating thing to think about, especially for a character like Simon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Simon Basset's Age

People often have more specific questions about Simon Basset's age, and that's, you know, perfectly natural. Here are a few common ones that come up.

How old is Daphne Bridgerton compared to Simon?

Daphne Bridgerton is, basically, 21 years old at the beginning of "The Duke and I" and the first season of Bridgerton. This means there is, you know, an age difference of about eight years between her and Simon, who is 29. This gap is, honestly, quite typical for the period and plays a role in their relationship dynamics, as we've discussed.

Is Simon Basset older than Regé-Jean Page?

No, Simon Basset, the character, is actually younger than the actor who plays him. Simon is established as being 29 years old in the books during the main events of the first season. Regé-Jean Page, on the other hand, was born in 1988, making him around 32 years old when the show premiered. So, the actor is, you know, slightly older than the character he portrays.

What year was Simon Basset born in the books?

Given that the main events of "The Duke and I" and Season 1 of Bridgerton are set in 1813, and Simon is 29 years old, we can, you know, pretty easily calculate his birth year. Simon Basset would have been born in 1784. This places him firmly in the late 18th century, making him a product of a slightly earlier generation than some of the younger characters in the series.

Final Thoughts on Simon Basset

So, it turns out Simon Basset is, you know, approximately 29 years old during the events of the first Bridgerton season, a detail that really adds depth to his character. This age is, in a way, perfect for him, marking him as a man with a past, but still very much in the prime of his life, ready for, you know, a transformative love story. It helps us understand his motivations, his struggles, and ultimately, his growth.

Knowing his age gives us, you know, a clearer picture of the man who captures Daphne's heart and, honestly, the hearts of so many viewers. It's a small detail that, you know, carries a lot of weight in shaping his journey from a closed-off duke to a loving husband and father. His story, too, is a pretty compelling one, full of twists and turns.

If you're curious about more character details or the fascinating world of the Ton, you can, you know, learn more about Bridgerton on our site. And to explore other intriguing figures from the series, you might want to check out our character guides. There's so much to discover, really, in this captivating world.