David Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Grace The Duke of Beaufort GCC
The Duke photographed by Allan Warren
Member of the House of Lords
In office 5 February 1984 – 11 November 1999
Preceded by	Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort
Succeeded by	House of Lords Act 1999
Personal details
Born	David Robert Somerset (1928-02-23)23 February 1928
Died	16 August 2017(2017-08-16) (aged 89) Badminton, Gloucestershire, England
Spouses	Lady Caroline Jane Thynne ​ ​ (m. 1950; died 1995)​ Miranda Elisabeth Morley ​ ​ (m. 2000)​
Children	Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort Lady Anne Somerset Lord Edward Somerset Lord John Somerset
Military career
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1946–?
Service number	370772

David Robert Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort (born 23 February 1928 – died 16 August 2017) was an important English nobleman and a large landowner. Before 1984, he was known as David Somerset.

He was a key person in the world of fox hunting. He also led a company called Marlborough Fine Art. The Duke was the Hereditary Keeper of Raglan Castle and was President of the British Horse Society.

Early Life and Family History

David Somerset was born on February 23, 1928. He was the second son of Captain Henry Robert Somers FitzRoy de Vere Somerset. His mother was Bettine Violet Malcolm.

He went to a famous school called Eton College. His family had a long history. They were related to Edward III of England, a king who lived a long time ago.

The first Somerset was a son of Henry Beaufort, Duke of Somerset. This made David Somerset a very old and important member of the House of Plantagenet family.

Becoming the Heir

When David was about twelve, it seemed unlikely that his father's cousin, Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort, would have a son. This meant David's father and older brother were next in line to become Duke.

However, in April 1945, his older brother, John Alexander Somerset, was killed in a war. This changed everything. At just seventeen years old, David Somerset became the likely person to inherit the Duke title.

After school, David Somerset joined the Coldstream Guards, a part of the British Army. He became a second lieutenant in 1946 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1949.

Later Life and Public Roles

After serving in the army, David Somerset lived in Gloucestershire, England. He was very involved with the Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, a famous fox hunting group.

In 1984, he officially became the 11th Duke of Beaufort. With this title, he also inherited large amounts of land.

As Duke, he was a major landowner and a well-known figure in fox hunting. He was also the Hereditary Keeper of Raglan Castle. This meant his family had looked after the castle for many years.

He was the President of the British Horse Society from 1988 to 1990. He also served as the chairman of Marlborough Fine Art, an art company.

In the House of Lords

The Duke of Beaufort was a member of the House of Lords. This is a part of the British Parliament. He represented the Conservative party from 1984 until 1999.

In 1999, new laws changed how the House of Lords worked. Many hereditary peers, like the Duke, lost their automatic right to a seat.

David Somerset passed away on August 16, 2017, at his home, Badminton House, in Gloucestershire. He was 89 years old.

Family Life

The Duke of Beaufort was married twice.

First Marriage

His first marriage was to Lady Caroline Jane Thynne. She was the daughter of the 6th Marquess of Bath. They married on July 5, 1950. The wedding was a big event, with the King and Queen of England attending.

Lady Caroline, as the Duchess of Beaufort, helped restore Badminton House and its gardens. She also received an honorary degree from Bristol University for her charity work. She passed away in 1995.

David and Caroline had four children:

• Henry John FitzRoy Somerset, born in 1952. He later became the 12th Duke of Beaufort. He married Tracy Louise Ward. They have two sons and one daughter.
  • Robert Somerset, Marquess of Worcester (born 1989)
  • Lady Isabella Elsa Somerset (born 1991)
  • Lord Alexander Somerset (born 1995)
• Lady Anne Mary Somerset, born in 1955. She is a historian. She married Matthew Carr in 1988 and they have one daughter.
  • Eleanor Carr (born 1992)
• Lord Edward Alexander Somerset, born in 1958. He married Georgiana Caroline Davidson. They have two daughters.
  • Francesca Somerset (born 1984)
  • Rose Victoria Somerset (born 1992)
• Lord John Robert Somerset, born in 1964. He married Lady Cosima Vane-Tempest-Stewart. They have a son and a daughter.
  • Lyle David Somerset (born 1991)
  • Romy Caroline Somerset (born 1993)

Second Marriage

The Duke married his second wife, Miranda Elisabeth Morley, on June 2, 2000. She is the daughter of Brigadier General Michael Frederick Morley.

Honours and Awards

• Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (Portugal) — This is a special award from Portugal, given to him on October 10, 1955.

Coat of Arms

Arms of David Somerset, 11th Duke of Beaufort

Notes The coat of arms of the Duke of Beaufort Coronet The coronet of a Duke Crest A Portcullis Or nailed Azure and chained of the first Escutcheon Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Azure three Fleurs-de-lys Or (France), 2nd and 3rd, Gules three Lions passant guardant in pale Or (England), all within a Bordure compony Argent and Azure Supporters Dexter: a Panther Argent flames issuing from his mouth and ears proper plain collared and chained Or and semée of Torteaux, Hurts and Pommes alternately Sinister: a Wyvern with wings endorsed Vert holding in its mouth a Sinister Hand couped at the wrist Gules Motto Mutare vel timere sperno (Latin for "I scorn to change or to fear")

A coat of arms is a special design that represents a family or a person. The Duke of Beaufort's coat of arms shows symbols from both France and England. It also features a panther and a wyvern, which are mythical creatures. The family motto, Mutare vel timere sperno, means "I scorn to change or to fear" in Latin.

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