Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton
| The Dowager Duchess of Grafton | |
|---|---|
| Born | Ann Fortune Smith 24 February 1920 |
| Other names | Ann Fortune FitzRoy |
| Occupation | Mistress of the Robes (since 1967) |
| Spouse | Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton (m. 1946–2011) |
| Children | James FitzRoy, Earl of Euston Lady Henrietta FitzRoy Lady Virginia FitzRoy Lord Charles FitzRoy Lady Olivia FitzRoy |
| Parents | Evan Cadogan Eric Smith Beatrice Williams |
Ann Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton GCVO (born Ann Fortune Smith; 24 February 1920) is the widow of Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II between 1953 and 1966 and has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967.
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[edit] Biography
She was born as Ann Fortune Smith, the daughter of Captain Evan Cadogan Eric Smith MC of Ashfold in Sussex[1], and his wife Beatrice Williams. Her younger brother, Sir John Smith, was a financier with the family bank (formerly Smith's Bank of Nottingham, later the National Provincial Bank and then part of NatWest), a Conservative MP, and the founder of the Landmark Trust. She has another younger brother, Jeremy Fox Eric Smith (born 1928).[2]
[edit] Marriage and children
On 12 October 1946 Ann Fortune FitzRoy married the then Earl of Euston, son of Charles Alfred Euston Fitzroy, 10th Duke of Grafton, and his wife Lady Doreen Maria Josepha Sydney Buxton. The Dukes of Grafton are direct descendants of the 1st Duke of Grafton, the illegitimate son of King Charles II by his mistress Barbara Villiers.
Together they had five children:[2]
- James Oliver Charles Fitzroy, Earl of Euston, born on 13 December 1947, died on 1 October 2009 (aged 61)
- Lady Henrietta Fortune Doreen Fitzroy, born on 14 September 1949
- Lady Virginia Mary Elizabeth Fitzroy, born on 10 April 1954
- Lord Charles Patrick Hugh Fitzroy, born on 7 January 1957
- Lady Olivia Rose Mildred Fitzroy, born on 1 August 1963
In 1970, Hugh Fitzroy, Earl of Euston succeeded his father as 11th Duke of Grafton, whereupon she became Duchess of Grafton.
In April 2011, the Duchess of Grafton was widowed.[3] Her husband was succeeded as Duke by their grandson Henry FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich, as their son and previous heir James, Earl of Euston, had died in 2009.
[edit] Titles and styles
- 24 February 1920 – 12 October 1946: Miss Ann Fortune Smith
- 12 October 1946 – 11 November 1970: Countess of Euston
- 11 November 1970 – 7 April 2011: Her Grace The Duchess of Grafton
- 7 April 2011 – present: Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Grafton
Her Grace was given the Royal Family Order by Elizabeth II.
[edit] References
- ^ http://thepeerage.com/p8090.htm#i80900
- ^ a b "Ann Fortune Smith". thePeerage.com. http://thepeerage.com/p7049.htm#i70484. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
- ^ "Grafton". Death announcments. Daily Telegraph. 2011-04-07. http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/deaths/131830/grafton. Retrieved 2011-05-30.
| Court offices | ||
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| Preceded by The Duchess of Devonshire |
Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth II 1967–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
