Harriet Pelham-Holles, Duchess of Newcastle

Henrietta "Harriet" Pelham-Holles, Duchess of Newcastle upon Tyne and Duchess of Newcastle-under-Lyne (1701 – 17 July 1776),[1] was the wife of British statesman and prime minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle.

Her Grace The Duchess of Newcastle
Portrait by Charles Jervas
Spouse of the Prime Minister of Great Britain
Tenure 1757–1762
Preceded by	Vacant Title last held by Herself
Succeeded by	The Countess of Bute
Tenure 1754–1756
Preceded by	Catherine Pelham
Succeeded by	Vacant Title next held by Herself
Personal details
Born	1701
Died	17 July 1776 (aged 74–75)
Political party	Whig
Spouse(s)	Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle ​ ​ (m. 1717; died 1768)​
Parents	Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin Henrietta Churchill, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough

She was the daughter of Francis Godolphin, 2nd Earl of Godolphin, and Henrietta Churchill, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough. She was also the granddaughter of Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin, as well as John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough.

Until her marriage, she was known as Lady Harriet Godolphin. Like her husband, she was a devoted Whig and supporter of the Hanoverian succession. They married on 2 April 1717.[2]

During the 1720s, they became famous for throwing sumptuous parties, a tradition that continued for several decades. These were attended even by her husband's political opponents.