Lady Elizabeth Clyde

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Lady Elizabeth Clyde
Born
Elizabeth Wellesley

(1918-12-26)26 December 1918
Died25 November 2013(2013-11-25) (aged 94)
Spouse
(m. 1939; div. 1960)
Children3, including Jeremy
Parent(s)Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington
Dorothy Violet Ashton
RelativesArthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington (brother)

Lady Elizabeth Clyde (born Elizabeth Wellesley, 26 December 1918 – 25 November 2013) was an English socialite. She was the daughter of Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington, and Dorothy Violet Ashton, and thus a great-great-granddaughter of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.[1]

Early life[edit]

Elizabeth Wellesley was born on Boxing Day 1918 to Gerald and Dorothy Wellesley (née Ashton) in London.[1] She was christened in the Chapel Royal, St. James Palace with the special permission of King George V.[1] Soon after her birth, the family purchased two homes: 43 Portland Place in London, and Sherfield Court in Hampshire.[1]

Personal life[edit]

Clyde announced her engagement to Major Thomas Clyde of the Royal Horse Guards, son of William Pancoast Clyde, Jr., on 24 October 1939.[2] They married on 18 November 1939 at St. Peter's Church, Vere Street, in London, with her brother as best man.[3] A reception followed at her father's home at Chester Terrace, featuring a wedding cake designed by Rex Whistler and made by Fortnum & Mason.[4]

The family lived at Dorney, Buckinghamshire.

Her children are:

  • Jeremy Clyde (born 22 March 1941), actor and musician
  • Robin Clyde (19 April 1943 – 13 February 1950)
  • William Jonathan Clyde (born 27 May 1949)

Clyde filed for divorce in 1959 on grounds of adultery, and was granted custody of the couple's youngest son.[5] She and Thomas remained "close and supportive friends" until his death in 1999.[6]

She retired to Bramley, Hampshire.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-297-85231-5.
  2. ^ "A Wellesley to Wed". The Evening Chronicle. 24 October 1939.
  3. ^ "Four Weddings". The Bystander. 29 November 1939.
  4. ^ Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 54. ISBN 978-0-297-85231-5.
  5. ^ "'Miss X' is Cited by Lady Elizabeth". Daily Mirror. 24 October 1959.
  6. ^ Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-85231-5.
  7. ^ Life Magazine, 30 March 1953, p. 122 [1]