Elizabeth Russell, Duchess of Bedford

Who was Elizabeth Russell, Duchess of Bedford?

Elizabeth, Duchess of Bedford VA was born as Elizabeth Sackville-West, daughter of the 5th Earl De La Warr and the Countess De La Warr.

She was a bridesmaid at the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha on 10 February 1840. On 18 June 1844 she was married to Francis Russell, a grandson of the late 6th Duke of Bedford and nephew of Lord John Russell, the Whig politician and future Prime Minister. Francis Russell succeeded his cousin as 9th Duke of Bedford in 1872.

Elizabeth was appointed Mistress of the Robes to the Queen by Mr Gladstone in 1880, and served in that capacity until 1883. In 1886, Gladstone's policy of Home Rule had alienated many of the aristocrats in the Liberal Party, and no lady of suitable rank could be found who was willing to serve as Mistress of the Robes. The Duchess of Bedford performed the duties of the office for the duration of the ministry, but was not appointed to the post by Gladstone.

She was widowed in 1891 after the Duke committed suicide. She died, aged seventy-nine, at Latimer House, near Chesham, Buckinghamshire, in 1897 and, after cremation at Woking Crematorium, her ashes were buried in the 'Bedford Chapel' at St Michael's Church, Chenies, Buckinghamshire.