(copied from Showbizspy.com)

LOL! I'm not knowledgeable about costumes and time periods. But wouldn't it be a real kick in the pants, if the set isn't in line with the history? (Nor would it be surprising.)

It also might help if she put a little meat back on her bones to give her some strength.  She has really gotten slender in the past couple of years.  In Atonement I thought she looked nearly skeletal.  When I compare Ms Knightley's appearance with past movies (like the first "Pirates") you can see the change.  It's a shame actresses feel the need to starve themselves.

It is very possible what you say is true about Ms Knightley.  I like her very much as an actress and in my MUCH younger days was extremely slender as well (not anymore!) and was always asked those kinds of questions too.   I am looking forward to the movie and I am sure she will be wonderful, I just became so concerned seeing her in Atonement; I thought she looked awful.  I don't want to see another talented young actress buying into the Hollywood mentality when her talent is remarkable on her own and she is very lovely.

What I should have added in to this is while I was in my teens and early 20s I know I didn't eat enough to support the amount of activities I was engaged in: dance lessons, play rehearsals, studying etc.  I know as a mother thinking back to raising my own children that I did not eat adequately to support my body at the time.  I was never anorexic because I did eat, especially dinner every night, but I sure looked like I was.  Now of course, alas, my problem is just the opposite!

I certainly didn't mean to start any rumors about Keira Knightley's health when I posted this.  I thought it was an interesting bit of trivia and, although I don't know much about historical clothing, I do know there were periods where the wigs were preposterous.  Somehow I doubt she'd get many parts if she had a neck like a football player, although I think that would help her carry that wig ;)

Here's a link to an MTV interview about the movie and you can see her for yourself.  Although she's thin, what I can see of her wrists and arms look normal enough for a young woman.  (Warning:  whatever is after the video is very loud.)

http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1594908/story.jhtml

Not to worry, Diana.  It keeps life interesting.  I don't know about the wigs because I never had to wear a big one like hers, but I do remember having to wear a corset in She Stoops to Conquer and it was a real killer!

I was beginning to worry she'd be receiving get-well cards or something :) 

I suppose I'm extra sympathetic on the wig issue because I have neck and shoulder issues and the thought of wearing that really did make me go "ouch." 

The movie sounds like something I'd definitely want to see, but, now that I know about the wig issues, I have to see it! I didn't even know this movie was being made. Thanks for posting about it, Diana!

I think I'll re-read Georgianna: Duchess of Devonshire before I see the movie. It looks like Amanda Foreman has issued a new edition of the biography for the movie - http://www.paperbackswap.com/book/details/9780812979695-The+Duchess It has a pretty new cover. ;-)

If that's the book I think I'm remembering (came out a few years ago- maybe 10 or more) the Duchess was quite the social butterfly.  I think at the time it came out weren't there unkind comparisons being made between her and Princess Diana?

Yes, they were related. Georgianna was Diana's great, great, great, great aunt.  <-- I had to check the book to see exactly how many "great's" to add. I knew it was a few. ;-)