Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton

Her Grace
The Dowager Duchess of Grafton
GCVO
Born Ann Fortune Smith
(1920-02-24) 24 February 1920
Other names Ann Fortune FitzRoy
Occupation Mistress of the Robes
(since 1967)
Spouse(s) 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
Parent(s) Evan Cadogan Eric Smith
Beatrice Williams

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.[1]

Early life

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).[2]

Marriage and children

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:[2]

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.[5] Her husband was succeeded as duke by their grandson Henry FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich, as their elder son died in 2009.[6]

Titles and styles

Royal service

She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II between 1953-66, and has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967.[1] The Queen is godmother to her daughter, Lady Virginia Mary Elizabeth FitzRoy. The Duchess was appointed GCVO in 1980.

References

  1. 1 2 Her Majesty's A-team DailyTelegraph
  2. 1 2 Lundy, Darryl. "Ann Fortune Smith". The Peerage. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  3. Earl of Euston obituary Daily Telegraph
  4. "'Nappy and glorious'". Daily Mail. 1 June 2012.
  5. "Death announcements - Grafton". Daily Telegraph. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  6. "Royalty Obituaries - The Duke of Grafton". Daily Telegraph. 11 April 2011. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
Court offices
Preceded by
The Duchess of Devonshire
Mistress of the Robes to
Queen Elizabeth II

1967–present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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