Flora Fraser, 21st Lady Saltoun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lady Saltoun
|
|
|---|---|
Lady Saltoun pictured in 2005 in her Parliamentary Robes as a Peeress
|
|
| Member of the House of Lords | |
| as a hereditary peeress 3 December 1979 – 11 November 1999 |
|
| Preceded by | The 20th Lord Saltoun |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| as an elected hereditary peeress 11 November 1999 – 12 December 2014 |
|
| Election | 1999 |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Kinnoull |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marjorie Flora Fraser
18 October 1930 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 3 September 2024 (aged 93) Ballater |
| Spouses | |
| Parents | Alexander Fraser, 20th Lord Saltoun Dorothy Geraldine Welby |
Marjorie Flora Fraser, known as the 21st Lady Saltoun (born October 18, 1930 – died September 3, 2024), was an important Scottish noblewoman and a politician. She held a special position in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. She was the only person with a "lordship of Parliament" title who kept her seat in the House of Lords as an elected hereditary peer until she retired in 2014.
Lady Saltoun was also the leader of Clan Fraser since 1984. This means she was recognized as the head of this historic Scottish family group. She also led the Frasers of Philorth, a lowland Scottish family.
Life and Family
Flora Fraser was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her father was Alexander Fraser, 20th Lord Saltoun, and her mother was Dorothy Geraldine Welby. Her grandfather, Sir Charles Glynne Earle Welby, was a member of Parliament in the early 1900s.
Flora had an older brother named Alexander Simon Fraser. He was expected to inherit the title of Lord Saltoun. Sadly, he was killed in action in 1944 while serving in the military. This meant Flora became the next in line to inherit the title.
In 1979, when her father passed away, Flora became the 21st Lady Saltoun. With this title, she also gained a seat in the House of Lords.
Role in Parliament
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It helps to make laws and hold the government accountable. Many members of the House of Lords used to be "hereditary peers." This meant they inherited their seats from their families.
In 1999, a new law called the House of Lords Act 1999 changed things. This law removed most of the 662 hereditary peers from the House of Lords. However, Lady Saltoun was one of only ninety hereditary peers who were chosen to remain. She continued to serve in the House of Lords until her retirement in 2014.
Marriage and Children
On October 6, 1956, Lady Saltoun married Alexander Ramsay of Mar in Fraserburgh, Scotland. Alexander Ramsay of Mar was a grandson of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. Lady Saltoun chose to keep her maiden name, Fraser, after her marriage.
Lady Saltoun and Alexander Ramsay of Mar had three daughters:
- Katharine Fraser, 22nd Lady Saltoun (born October 11, 1957). She is the person expected to inherit her mother's title and the leadership of Clan Fraser. She married Mark Nicolson in 1980 and they have children.
- The Hon. Alice Elizabeth Margaret Ramsay of Mar (born July 8, 1961). She married David Ramsey in 1990 and they have children.
- The Hon. Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Ramsay of Mar (born April 15, 1963). She is one of the youngest great-great-grandchildren of Queen Victoria.
