Duchess of York facts for kids

The Duchess of York is a special title given to the wife of the Duke of York. It's a "courtesy title," which means it's used out of respect and tradition. Over time, there have been ten Duchesses of York. This is because some Dukes of York didn't marry, or they became king before they got married. Also, two Dukes married twice, so there were more wives than Dukes!

Meet the Duchesses of York

Here are the women who have held the title of Duchess of York:

Isabella of Castile (1385–1392)

• Infanta Isabella of Castile was born in 1355.
• She married Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York on July 11, 1372.
• She became Duchess of York on August 6, 1385.
• Isabella died on December 23, 1392.

Joan Holland (1393–1402)

• Lady Joan Holland was born around 1380.
• She also married Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York on November 4, 1393.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• When her husband died on August 1, 1402, she became a "Dowager Duchess." This means she was still called Duchess of York, but her husband was no longer alive.
• Joan Holland died on April 12, 1434.

Philippa de Mohun (1402–1415)

• Philippa de Mohun married Edward of Norwich, 2nd Duke of York before October 7, 1398.
• She became Duchess of York on August 1, 1402.
• When her husband died on October 25, 1415, she also became a Dowager Duchess.
• Philippa died on July 17, 1431.

Cecily Neville (1429–1460)

• Lady Cecily Neville was born on May 3, 1415.
• She married Richard Plantagenet in October 1429 or earlier.
• She became Duchess of York at the time of her marriage.
• When her husband died on December 30, 1460, she became a Dowager Duchess.
• Cecily died on May 31, 1495.

Anne de Mowbray (1478–1481)

• Anne de Mowbray was born on December 10, 1472.
• She married Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York on January 15, 1478.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• Anne died on November 19, 1481.

Anne Hyde (1660–1671)

• Anne Hyde was born on March 12, 1637.
• She married James Stuart on September 3, 1660.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• Anne died on March 31, 1671.

Mary of Modena (1673–1685)

• Princess Mary of Modena was born on October 5, 1658.
• She also married James Stuart on November 21, 1673.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• On February 6, 1685, her husband became King James II. This meant Mary became the "Queen Consort," which is the title for the wife of a reigning king.
• Mary died on May 7, 1718.

Frederica Charlotte of Prussia (1791–1820)

• Frederica Charlotte of Prussia was born on May 7, 1767.
• She married Prince Frederick on September 29, 1791.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• Frederica died on August 6, 1820.
• Her husband was the last Duke of York and Albany, so she was the only Duchess to hold this combined title.

Mary of Teck (1893–1910)

• Princess Victoria Mary of Teck was born on May 26, 1867.
• She married Prince George on July 6, 1893.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• On May 6, 1910, her husband became King George V. Mary then became the Queen Consort.
• Mary died on March 24, 1953.

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (1923–1936)

• Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon was born on August 4, 1900.
• She married Prince Albert on April 26, 1923.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• On December 11, 1936, her husband became King George VI. Elizabeth then became the Queen Consort.
• Elizabeth died on March 30, 2002.

Sarah Ferguson (1986–1996)

• Sarah Ferguson was born on October 15, 1959.
• She married Prince Andrew on July 23, 1986.
• She became Duchess of York on the same day.
• After her divorce on May 30, 1996, she took the style of Sarah, Duchess of York.
• Sarah is still alive today.

Things Named After a Duchess of York

Sometimes, important people have things named after them. Here are a few examples related to the Duchess of York:

Ships

• HMS Duchess of York (1801): This ship was built in India in 1801. It was unfortunately wrecked near Madagascar in 1811.
• HMS Duchess of York (1898): This was a paddle steamer built in Glasgow. It was used to clear mines during the First World War. Later, it was renamed Duchess of Cornwall.
• SS Duchess of York (1928): This was a large steamship built for Canadian Pacific Steamships. It was sunk in 1943 after being bombed.

Other Places

• Duchess of York Ward: This hospital ward opened in 1935 at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability.

Images for kids

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  Isabella of Castile

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  Philippa de Mohun

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  Cecily Neville

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  Anne Hyde

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  Mary of Modena

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  Frederica Charlotte of Prussia

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  Mary of Teck

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  Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon

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  Sarah Ferguson