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British Mistress of the Robes (1920–2021) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ann Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton, GCVO, JP (née Smith; 24 February 1920 – 3 December 2021) was a British courtier who served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth II from 1967 until her death in 2021.[1] She was the wife of Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton, and grandmother of Henry FitzRoy, 12th Duke of Grafton.
The Duchess of Grafton | |
|---|---|
 The Duchess in Brisbane in 1988 | |
| Mistress of the Robes | |
| In office 1967–2021 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ann Fortune Smith 24 February 1920 Lower Ashfold, Slaugham, Surrey, England |
| Died | 3 December 2021 (aged 101) London, England |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 5, including James FitzRoy, Earl of Euston |
She was born on 24 February 1920 to Captain Evan Cadogan Eric Smith MC, of Lower Ashfold, Slaugham, Sussex, and his wife Beatrice Helen (née Williams). Her father was chairman of National Provincial Bank and Rolls-Royce. By birth, she was a member of the Smith banking family and a descendant of Oswald Smith of Blendon Hall, Kent, and thereby a second cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and a fourth cousin of Sir Oswald Mosley. Fortune had three brothers: Sir John Smith, a Conservative MP, banker and founder of the Landmark Trust; Jeremy Fox Eric Smith; and Mark Smith, an eye specialist.[2] She was an aunt of Serena Soames, Baroness Soames of Fletching (second wife of Lord Soames of Fletching), and of Dione Grimston, Countess of Verulam.
Smith trained as a nurse at the Great Ormond Street Hospital.[2] She was presented as a debutante at court during the 1938 season.[3]
On 12 October 1946, she married the then Earl of Euston – later the 11th Duke of Grafton – at St Mary's Church, Slaugham.[4] The couple had first met at a ball at Euston Hall.[2][3] 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 the Duchess of Grafton. The Duke died in April 2011, and Fortune became the Dowager Duchess of Grafton.[8] Her husband was succeeded as duke by their grandson, Henry FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich, since their elder son died in 2009.[9] She turned 100 in February 2020[10] and died in London on 3 December 2021, at the age of 101.[11][2][12]
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She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II between 1953 and 1966, being appointed shortly before the coronation, and served as Mistress of the Robes from 1967 until her death in 2021.[1][13][14] She accompanied the Queen on numerous overseas visits including Nigeria in 1956, France in 1972, Morocco in 1980 and Russia in 1994.[2]
The Duchess, when Countess of Euston, was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in the 1965 New Year Honours, she was later promoted to a Dame Commander (DCVO) in the 1970 New Year Honours and a Dame Grand Cross (GCVO) in the 1980 Birthday Honours.[15][16][17]
She was appointed a magistrate in the London juvenile courts in 1949, the youngest female magistrate at the time, and served as Justice of the Peace for West Sussex between 1972 and 1990.[18][3] She was involved with many local charities in East Anglia such as the local branches of the British Heart Foundation and the Royal British Legion's Women's Division.[2]
| Country | Date | Appointment | Ribbon | Post-nominal letters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 31 December 1964 | Commander of the Royal Victorian Order |  |
CVO | Promoted to DCVO in 1969 |
| United Kingdom | 31 December 1969 | Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order | |
DCVO | Promoted to GCVO in 1980 |
| United Kingdom | 15 June 1980 | Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | |
GCVO | |
| United Kingdom | 2 June 1953 | Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal |  |
||
| United Kingdom | 6 February 1977 | Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal |  |
||
| United Kingdom | 6 February 2002 | Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal |  |
||
| United Kingdom | 6 February 2012 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal |  |
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