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Henrietta Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield facts for kids

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Henrietta Stanhope
Countess of Chesterfield
Spouse(s) Philip Stanhope, 5th Earl of Chesterfield
Issue
Lady Georgiana Stanhope
George Stanhope, 6th Earl of Chesterfield
Noble family Thynne
Father Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath
Mother Lady Elizabeth Bentinck
Born 17 November 1762
Died 31 May 1813
Chesterfield House, Mayfair, London
Occupation Lady of the Bedchamber to Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz

Henrietta Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (born November 17, 1762 – died May 31, 1813), was an important figure in British high society. She was born Lady Henrietta Thynne. She became the second wife of Philip Stanhope, the 5th Earl of Chesterfield.

Philip Stanhope's first wife, Anne, passed away in 1798. She had one daughter, Lady Harriet Stanhope. Lady Harriet later died in 1803 without marrying.

Early Life and Family

Henrietta was the third daughter of a very important family. Her father was Thomas Thynne, the 1st Marquess of Bath. Her mother was Lady Elizabeth Cavendish-Bentinck.

Henrietta had two older sisters. Louisa became the Countess of Aylesford. Sophia, a younger sister, became the Countess of Ashburnham. Henrietta had a serious illness when she was a child. She recovered and grew up in a noble household.

Marriage and Children

Henrietta married Philip Stanhope, the Earl of Chesterfield, on May 2, 1799. Their wedding took place in Grosvenor Street, London. After they married, they lived at Bretby Hall in Derbyshire. This was the family's main home. The Earl rebuilt parts of the hall around 1812.

Henrietta and the Earl had two children together:

  • Lady Georgiana Stanhope, who passed away in 1824. She married Frederick Richard West but did not have any children.
  • George Stanhope, who became the 6th Earl of Chesterfield (1805–1866).

Life at Court

Henrietta Stanhope served in the royal court. She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Charlotte. Queen Charlotte was the wife of King George III of the United Kingdom. Henrietta held this important position from 1807 until her death in 1813. A Lady of the Bedchamber was a lady-in-waiting. She helped the Queen with personal duties and was a close companion.

Later Years

The Countess of Chesterfield passed away at the age of 50. She died at Chesterfield House in Mayfair, London. This was the family's home in the city. Her husband, the Earl, lived for two more years after her death. He passed away at 59. Their son, George, then became the next Earl of Chesterfield.

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