Diana Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Wellington
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Diana Ruth McConnel
14 January 1922 Woolwich, London, England |
| Died | 1 November 2010 (aged 88) Apsley House, London, England |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Charles Wellesley, 9th Duke of Wellington Lord Richard Wellesley Lady Jane Wellesley Lord John Wellesley Lord James Wellesley |
| Parents | Douglas McConnel Ruth Garnett-Botfield |
Diana Ruth Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington, MBE (born McConnel; 14 January 1922 – 1 November 2010) was an important British intelligence officer during World War II. She was also the wife of Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington.
Contents
Growing Up: Diana's Early Life and Family
Diana was born in Woolwich, England, on January 14, 1922. She was the only daughter of Major-General Douglas McConnel, a high-ranking army officer. Her mother was Ruth Mary Garnett-Botfield. Diana had no other brothers or sisters who lived past infancy.
Even though her father was in the military, Diana decided she didn't want to marry a soldier. She spent two happy years living with her parents in India.
School Days and New Skills
When she returned to Britain, Diana went to Benenden School. She loved painting and music there. She was also very good at math. A smart choice she made was to learn typing instead of cooking. This skill became very useful during the war.
The Second World War started just before she finished school. Diana was only seventeen years old at the time.
Working in Jerusalem During the War
Later, Diana lived in Jerusalem because her father was stationed there. She worked as a secretary for the military at the King David Hotel. She often helped her father as his aide-de-camp, which means she was his personal assistant.
Her job included handling very important, secret documents. These papers contained sensitive information that was vital for the war effort.
Meeting Her Future Husband and Marriage
It was in Jerusalem that Diana met Valerian Wellesley. In 1943, Valerian became the Marquess of Douro. This happened when his father, Lord Gerald Wellesley, inherited the title of Duke of Wellington.
Diana and Valerian got married on January 28, 1944. As the Marquess and Marchioness of Douro, they had five children together:
- Arthur Charles Valerian Wellesley, born in 1945. He later became the 9th Duke of Wellington. He married Princess Antonia of Prussia and they have five children.
- Lord Richard Wellesley, born in 1949. He married Joanna Sumner and they have two daughters.
- Lady (Caroline) Jane Wellesley, born in 1951. She became a television producer.
- Lord John Wellesley, born in 1954. He married Corinne Vaes and they have two children.
- Lord James Wellesley, born in 1956. He married Laura Wedge and later Emma Nethercott.
A Secret Plot and a Special Wedding Day
While working, Diana uncovered a secret plan by a group called the Stern Gang. They planned to bomb St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem on her wedding day! The bomb was found and removed.
Even so, Diana and Valerian received a police escort to their wedding. Valerian thought this was normal for a general's daughter. Diana had not told him about the bomb plot at the time.
A Romantic Journey Home
Their wedding happened quickly because Valerian was being sent to Italy. Later that year, Diana learned he was coming home. She arranged to be on the same group of boats heading to Britain.
By chance, they were on boats right next to each other. Every day at six o'clock, Valerian would stand at the front of his ship. Diana would stand at the back of hers. They would send each other loving messages in the dark using a flashlight and Morse code. Everyone else on board who knew Morse code found it very amusing!
Life After the War and Becoming a Duchess
After the war, Valerian continued his military career. He reached the rank of brigadier, which is a senior army officer. Diana lived with him in Cyprus in the 1950s. From 1964 to 1967, they lived in Madrid, Spain.
In 1967, Valerian retired from the army. They moved to Stratfield Saye, the family estate. In 1972, Valerian's father passed away. This meant Valerian became the Duke of Wellington, and Diana became the Duchess of Wellington.
At their home, the Duchess loved to take care of the gardens herself. When their home was open to the public, she was often mistaken for a gardener. She found this very funny!
The Duchess of Wellington passed away at the family home, Apsley House, in London on November 1, 2010. She was 88 years old. She lived long enough to see several of her great-grandchildren born. This included twins, Lady Mae and Arthur, Viscount Wellesley. Arthur is third in line to inherit the Dukedom.
