Frances Lloyd George, Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor

Who was Frances Lloyd George, Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor?

Frances Stevenson, Countess Lloyd-George of Dwyfor, CBE was the mistress, personal secretary, confidante and second wife of British Prime Minister David Lloyd George.

Frances Stevenson was born in London. She was educated at Clapham High School and Royal Holloway College, where she graduated with a Classics degree in 1910. In 1911 Lloyd George, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, hired Stevenson as a governess for his youngest daughter Megan. Lloyd George and Stevenson were soon attracted to each other. Although Stevenson, who wanted a conventional marriage and many children, hesitated about becoming the mistress of a married man, she agreed to become Lloyd George's personal secretary on his terms—which included a sexual relationship—in 1913.

Stevenson's vitality, prosperity and loyalty to Lloyd George, as well as her discretion in her work and personal life, gained her lover's admiration. She was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1918 and accompanied Lloyd George to the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Stevenson chose the location and supervised the construction of Lloyd George's country house in Churt, Surrey.