Lady Elizabeth Clyde
Lady Elizabeth "Eliza" 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]
Lady Elizabeth Clyde | |
---|---|
Born | Elizabeth Wellesley 26 December 1918 |
Died | 25 November 2013 94) | (aged
Spouse(s) | Thomas Clyde
(m. 1939; div. 1960) |
Children | 3, including Jeremy |
Parent(s) | Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington Dorothy Violet Ashton |
Relatives | Arthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington (brother) |
Early life
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
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 the 1999.[6]
She retired to Bramley, Hampshire.[7]
References
- Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 25. ISBN 978 0 297 85231 5.
- "A Wellesley to Wed". The Evening Chronicle. October 24, 1939.
- "Four Weddings". The Bystander. November 29, 1939.
- Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. p. 54. ISBN 978 0 297 85231 5.
- "'Miss X' is Cited by Lady Elizabeth". Daily Mirror. October 24, 1959.
- Wellesley, Jane (2008). Wellington: A Journey Through My Family. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. ISBN 978 0 297 85231 5.
- Life Magazine, 30 March 1953, p. 122