 |
| Kathleen Florence May Pelham-Clinton (née Candy), Duchess of Newcastle. |
These aristocratic ladies, dressed for the coronation of George VI, are probably not all as dour as they appear here; Viscountess Dillon looks jolly enough. Still, posed for their portraits in full -
fullest - fig, many of them seem more burdened than thrilled to be recorded for posterity. Burdened and perhaps a bit reluctant; not a state that generally results in a terribly congenial image. But neither are they served by their graceless peeress' robes, their often awkward and/or bizarre family jewels, or their dumpy little coronets. Though aristocratic and royal
swans - say, Marina, Duchess of Kent - are rather a rare species, I expect these ladies enjoyed happier - and more attractive - days.
 |
| Katharine Edith Collier (née Gastrell), Lady Monswell. |
 |
| Dora Isolde Butler (née Tower), Lady Dunboyne. |
 |
| Lucy Sophia Sanders (née Halliday), Lady Bayford of Stoke Trister. |
 |
| Dorothea Gertrude Borwick (née Grey), Lady Borwick. |
 |
| Mabel Agnes Plender (née Laurie), Lady Plender of Sundridge. |
 |
| Emily Gladys Walpole (née Oakes), Countess of Orford. |
 |
| Gwendolen Florence Mary Guinness (née Onslow), Countess of Iveagh. |
 |
| Sibel Lilian Blunt-Mackenzie (née Mackenzie), Countess of Cromartie. |
 |
| Helen Dorothy Law (née Lovatt), Lady Ellenborough. |
 |
| Margaret Haig Mackworth (née Thomas), 2nd Viscountess Rhondda. |
 |
| Charlotte Iliffe (née Gilding), Lady Iliffe. |
 |
| Fairlie Pomeroy (née Harmar), Viscountess Harberton. (Odd that the background has been erased from this image.) |
 |
| Mabel Danvers Ryder (née Smith), Countess of Harrowby. |
 |
| Eleanor May Stuart (née Guggenheim), Countess Castle Stewart. |
 |
| Hilda Dillon (née Brunner), Viscountess Dillon. |
*
 |
| Additional images of the Duchess of Newcastle; she's just too fabulous for only one! |
 |
Her jewels are amazing and quite nutty: the enormous bow brooch; the pair of anchors flanking her décolletage, brooches
which had been the property of the Empress Eugénie; a diamond necklace; an important emerald and diamond necklace;
and the emerald and diamond corsage ornament which she has somehow stuck onto her head and wears as a bandeau. |
