They had two sons: The couple became leaders of the London artistic and social scene and were dedicatees of Evelyn Waugh's second novel Vile Bodies.

However, they divorced in 1933 after Diana deserted Guinness for British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.

In November 1944, Guinness succeeded to the barony when his father, posted abroad as Resident Minister in the Middle East by his friend Winston Churchill, was assassinated in Cairo.

He wrote a number of critically applauded novels, memoirs, books of poetry, and plays.

With Frank Pakenham he sought the return of the "Lane Bequest" to Dublin, resulting in the 1959 compromise agreement.