Charlotte Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry
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| Mistress of the Robes | |
| In office 1841–1846 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | Sir Robert Peel |
| Preceded by | The Duchess of Sutherland |
| Succeeded by | The Duchess of Sutherland |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne
10 April 1811 Longleat, Wiltshire |
| Died | 28 March 1895 (aged 83) Ditton Park, Buckinghamshire |
| Resting place | Dalkeith Palace |
| Spouse | Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Occupation | Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria |
Charlotte Anne Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry (born Thynne; 10 April 1811 – 18 March 1895) was an important British noblewoman. She was the daughter of the 2nd Marquess of Bath. In 1829, Charlotte married Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch. They had seven children together.
From 1841 to 1846, the Duchess served as the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria. This was a very important role in the Queen's household. Her husband was also part of the government at the time. The Duchess and Queen Victoria became lifelong friends. The Queen even became the godmother to Charlotte's daughter, Lady Victoria. The Duchess also gave advice to the Queen about Scotland. Later in her life, in 1860, she changed her religion to Roman Catholicism. She was also known for her charity work in Scotland. She passed away in 1895.
Contents
Who Was Charlotte Anne?
Her Early Life and Family
Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne was born on April 10, 1811. Her family home was Longleat in Wiltshire, England. She was the youngest daughter and tenth child of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath. Her mother was Isabella Elizabeth Byng. Charlotte had several siblings, including Henry Thynne, 3rd Marquess of Bath.
Her Marriage to the Duke
On March 13, 1829, Charlotte married Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch. The wedding took place in London. After her marriage, she became the Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. Her husband had become a Duke when he was only thirteen years old. He was five years older than Charlotte.
People at the time thought their engagement was quite "romantic." The story goes that the young Duke visited Charlotte's father. When he left, he saw tears in Charlotte's eyes. This made him turn his carriage around and go back to ask her father for her hand in marriage. The couple had three daughters and four sons. Their children included William Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch and Henry Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu.
Life at Court and Friendship with Queen Victoria
Serving as Mistress of the Robes
In 1841, Charlotte became the Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria. This was a very important position in the royal household. The new Prime Minister, Robert Peel, personally chose her for this role. Her husband was a strong supporter of the Conservative Party. He also served in Peel's government. The Duchess used her connections to help her brothers find good positions.
A Lifelong Friendship with the Queen
The Duchess of Buccleuch and Queen Victoria became close friends. The Queen described the Duchess as "an agreeable, sensible, clever little person." In 1842, the Duchess helped advise Queen Victoria about Scotland. This was before the Queen's first visit there. The Duke and Duchess also hosted the Queen and Prince Albert at their home, Dalkeith.
The Queen showed her friendship by becoming the godmother to the Duchess's eldest daughter, Victoria Alexandrine. She was christened at Buckingham Palace in 1845. The Duke and Duchess also supported the artist Robert Thorburn. They asked him to paint several pictures of the Duchess. One painting showed her with her daughter Lady Victoria. This painting was given to Queen Victoria in 1847.
The Duchess of Buccleuch left her role as Mistress of the Robes in 1846. She was later given the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Third Class. This was a special honor from the Queen.
Later Life and Interests
Faith and Charity Work
The Duchess had a strong religious faith. Her brother, Revd Lord John Thynne, who was a priest at Westminster Abbey, influenced her. She and her husband built an Episcopal church in Dalkeith. In 1860, she decided to become a Roman Catholic. This was a big decision, especially because her husband was a Presbyterian. She had thought about it for many years.
Soon after her marriage, she became friends with Cecil, Marchioness of Lothian. Lady Lothian was another important Roman Catholic in Scotland. The two women worked together on charity projects in Edinburgh. Lady Lothian helped the Duchess decide to convert. The Duchess's brother, Lord Charles, also became a Catholic.
Gardening and Final Years
The Duchess loved gardening and designing landscapes. She spent a lot of time looking after the gardens at Drumlanrig Castle. Her husband passed away in April 1884. After his death, she moved to Ditton Park in Buckinghamshire. She was very sad after her son, Lord Walter, died. People said she "never recovered" from this loss.
The Duchess died at Ditton Park on March 28, 1895. She was buried at Dalkeith Palace. She supported a religious group called the Poor Servants of the Mother of God until her death. She also took part in many other fundraising activities.
The Duchess was played by actress Diana Rigg in the TV show Victoria.
Her Children
The Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch had seven children. They had three daughters and four sons:
| Name | Born | Died | Notes |
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| William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch | 9 September 1831 | 5 November 1914 | Became the 6th Duke of Buccleuch in 1884. He married Lady Louisa Jane Hamilton and had children. He was the grandfather of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. |
| Henry John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu | 5 November 1832 | 4 November 1905 | Became Baron Montagu of Beaulieu in 1885. He married The Hon. Cecily Susan Stuart-Wortley and had children. |
| Lord Walter Charles Montagu Douglas Scott | 2 March 1834 | 3 March 1895 | He married Anna Maria Cradock-Hartopp and had children. |
| Admiral Lord Charles Thomas Montagu Douglas Scott, GCB | 20 October 1839 | 21 August 1911 | Was a high-ranking officer in the Royal Navy. He married Ada Mary Ryan and had children. |
| Lady Victoria Alexandrina Montagu Douglas Scott | 20 November 1844 | 19 June 1938 | She married twice and had children from her first marriage. |
| Lady Margaret Elizabeth Montagu Douglas Scott | 10 October 1846 | 5 February 1918 | She married Donald Cameron, 24th Lochiel and had children. |
| Lady Mary Charlotte Montagu Douglas Scott | 6 August 1851 | 13 December 1908 | She married The Hon. Walter Rodolph Trefusis and had children. |
