Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Sutherland
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Harriet Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland by Reuben Thomas William Sayers
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| Born |
The Hon. Harriet Howard
21 May 1806 |
| Died | 27 October 1868 (aged 62) Stafford House, St James's, London, England |
| Resting place | Trentham, Staffordshire, England |
| Nationality | British |
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| Occupation | Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria |
Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland (born Howard; 21 May 1806 – 27 October 1868) was a very important person in London society. She was a close friend of Queen Victoria. Harriet also held a special job called Mistress of the Robes for many years. This role meant she was the Queen's chief lady-in-waiting. She used her high social standing to help with many good causes, like protesting against slavery.
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Harriet's Family and Early Life
Harriet was born on May 21, 1806. She was the third daughter of George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle. Her mother was Lady Georgiana Cavendish. Her grandmother was Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, a famous and influential woman.
Harriet's Marriage and Influence
On May 18, 1823, Harriet married her cousin, George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower. He was 20 years older than her. Their marriage was happy, and they had four sons and seven daughters.
When her husband became the second Duke of Sutherland in 1833, Harriet became the Duchess of Sutherland. She became very influential in society. This was partly because she was friends with Queen Victoria and her family was very wealthy.
Her home, Stafford House in London, became a hub for social events and charity work. The Duchess helped organize a petition against slavery called the "Stafford House Address." This petition was signed by many English ladies.
However, not everyone agreed with her. Some people, like Karl Marx, criticized her family. This was because her husband's mother had been involved in the Highland Clearances. This was when people were moved off their land in Sutherland to make way for sheep farming.
Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria
When Queen Victoria became queen, Harriet was chosen as her Mistress of the Robes. She held this important position whenever the Whig political party was in power. This included periods from 1837 to 1841, 1846 to 1852, 1853 to 1858, and 1859 to 1861.
She was in charge of the Queen's wardrobe and helped with royal ceremonies. She even presided at Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838. In 1839, there was a political disagreement called the Bedchamber Crisis. This happened because Queen Victoria refused to let Harriet and her other ladies leave their positions. This event led to the Whigs returning to power.
Queen Victoria greatly admired Harriet. After the death of her husband, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria spent her first weeks of mourning with Harriet as her only companion.
Harriet's last public appearance was at the wedding of the Prince of Wales in 1863. She became ill that year and never fully recovered. In 1864, she was still able to host Garibaldi, a famous Italian leader, at her homes. Harriet died on October 27, 1868, at her London home, Stafford House. She was 62 years old.
Harriet's Children
Harriet and George had eleven children together:
- Lady Elizabeth Georgiana (1824–1878): She married George Douglas Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll.
- Lady Evelyn (1825–1869): She married Charles Stuart, 12th Lord Blantyre.
- Lady Caroline Leveson-Gower (1827–1887): She married Charles FitzGerald, 4th Duke of Leinster.
- Lord George Granville William (1828–1892): He became the 3rd Duke of Sutherland after his father.
- Lady Blanche Julia Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1830–1832)
- Lord Frederick George (1832–1854)
- Lady Constance Gertrude (1834–1880): She married Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster.
- Lady Victoria Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1838–1839)
- Lord Albert (1843–1874): He married Grace Abdy.
- Lord Ronald Charles Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1845–1916): He never married.
- Lady Alexandrina Sutherland-Leveson-Gower (1848–1849)
In 1871, Harriet's grandson, Lord Lorne, married Princess Louise. She was one of Queen Victoria's daughters.
Harriet in Media
Harriet has been shown in movies and TV shows:
- In the 2009 film The Young Victoria, she was played by Rachael Stirling.
- In the 2016 ITV series Victoria, she was played by Margaret Clunie. In this show, she is shown having a romance with Prince Ernest. This part of the story is not historically accurate.
