Thursday, August 7, 2008

Duchess of Marlborough

August 1888. The new Duchess of Marlborough (the American-born Lillian Price Hammersley) has become "quite a figure" in London Society. The Duke and Duchess are currently living with the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, who has taken kindly to her "richly endowed daughter-in-law." The duchess' checking account has allowed the duke to purchase Lord Brownlow's mansion in Carlton House Terrace, where the young ducal couple will keep "groat state" next season. They plan to return to Blenheim, the ancient glories which are to be revived by the talisman of the American dollar." The former Mrs. Hammersley of Troy, NY, had inherited $6,000,000 after the death of her first husband.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I read her memoirs. Quite interesting. One could easily sumerise it with "all the unhappiness money can buy!

The DsoM did not have a happy story of marriage. The present Duke has gone through I believe 4 marriage heading for no 5

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Three wives - Susan Hornby, Athina Onassis and Countess Rosita Douglas, whom he divorced this year.

Anonymous said...

and now he has a new exotic girlfried,Lily Mahtani ; probably she'll be wife number four.

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

He does indeed - and it has been suggested that Lily will be the new duchess of Marlborough.

Anonymous said...

She was a fascinating lady -- her memoirs are an excellent read.

Just wanted to point out that the 9th Duke of Marlborough and Consuelo Vanderbilt weren't married until 1895.....I know typos often occur (I am the queen of such typos! :)!

Marlene Eilers Koenig said...

Thank you ... Absolutely right ... it was Lillian Hammersley (nee Price) who was the wealthy American