Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton
|
Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Grafton GCVO |
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|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Ann Fortune Smith 24 February 1920 |
| Spouse(s) | Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton (m. 1946–2011) |
| Children | James FitzRoy, Earl of Euston Lady Henrietta St. George Lady Virginia FitzRoy Lord Charles FitzRoy Lady Olivia Monson |
| Parents | Evan Cadogan Eric Smith Beatrice Williams |
| Occupation |
Mistress of the Robes (since 1967) |
Ann Fortune FitzRoy, Dowager Duchess of Grafton, GCVO (née Smith; 24 February 1920) is the widow of Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton. She has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967.
The Duchess was born as Ann Fortune Smith to Captain Evan Cadogan Eric Smith MC of Ashfold in Sussex, and his wife Beatrice Williams. Her younger brother, Sir John Smith, was a financier with the family business (a bank) (formerly known as Smith's Bank of Nottingham and was later titled as the National Provincial Bank and then part of NatWest), a Conservative MP, and the founder of the Landmark Trust. Another younger brother is Jeremy Fox Eric Smith (born 1928).
On 12 October 1946, she married the then Earl of Euston who she had first met at the age of 18 at a ball at Euston Hall. They had five children:
In 1970, Hugh Fitzroy, Earl of Euston succeeded his father after his death as 11th Duke of Grafton, whereupon she became known as Duchess of Grafton. In April 2011, the Duchess of Grafton was widowed. Her husband was succeeded as duke by their grandson Henry FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich, as their elder son died in 2009.
She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II between 1953-66, and has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967. The Queen is godmother to her daughter, Lady Virginia Mary Elizabeth FitzRoy. The Duchess was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1980 Birthday Honours.
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