Henry FitzRoy, 12th Duke of Grafton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Grafton
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Grafton in 2013
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| Full name |
Henry Oliver Charles FitzRoy
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| Born | 6 April 1978 London, Middlesex |
| Spouse(s) |
Olivia Sladen
(m. 2010) |
| Issue | 3 |
| Parents | |
Henry Oliver Charles FitzRoy, who is known as Harry Grafton, was born on April 6, 1978. He is an English peer, which means he holds a special title passed down through his family. He is also a music promoter, someone who helps organize and advertise music events.
Harry Grafton became the 12th Duke of Grafton on April 7, 2011. He inherited this important title from his grandfather, Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton. He is also a direct descendant of Charles II of England, a king who ruled England a long time ago.
His family's main home and farming estate is called Euston Hall. It is located in Euston, a village in Suffolk, close to Thetford in Norfolk.
Contents
Early Life and Family History
Harry Grafton is the son of James Oliver Charles FitzRoy, Earl of Euston (who lived from 1947 to 2009). His mother is Lady Clare Amabel Margaret Kerr. She is one of the daughters of the 12th Marquess of Lothian.
His ancestor, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, was born in 1663. He was a son of King Charles II and Barbara Villiers. Henry FitzRoy was born outside of marriage. The family name FitzRoy means "son of the king." Many other families who are also descendants of King Charles II share this name.
Harry Grafton went to Harrow School and then studied at the University of Edinburgh. After that, he spent a year at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. There, he learned about managing large estates and farms.
Career and Responsibilities
From 2002 to 2004, Harry Grafton lived in the United States. He worked in music business management. He was also a radio host in Nashville, Tennessee. Later, in 2005 and 2006, he worked for the famous band Rolling Stones. He helped manage their merchandise during their "A Bigger Bang" tour.
In 2007, he moved to London. In 2009, his father passed away. This meant Harry Grafton returned to Suffolk to help manage the family's large estate. The Euston Hall estate covers about 10,000 acres (about 40 square kilometers). At this time, he gained the courtesy title of Earl of Euston. However, he chose to continue using his previous title, Viscount Ipswich.
On April 7, 2011, his grandfather, the 11th Duke of Grafton, passed away at 92 years old. Harry Grafton then became the new Duke. He inherited the family's titles and estates. Today, he continues to promote live music events. He also works on making the farms on his estate more modern.
Marriage and Children
On August 14, 2010, Harry Grafton married Olivia Margaret Sladen. Their wedding took place in Snowshill, Gloucestershire. They have two sons and one daughter.
- Alfred James Charles FitzRoy, who is the Earl of Euston, was born on December 26, 2012. He is the heir apparent, meaning he is next in line to inherit the Duke's title.
- Lady Rosetta Christina Clare FitzRoy was born on July 20, 2015.
- Lord Ralph Simon Lennox FitzRoy was born on March 16, 2017.
Family Coat of Arms
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The Grafton family's coat of arms includes parts of King Charles II's royal arms. It also has a special diagonal stripe called a "baton sinister." This shows that the family line comes from the king, but not through the main line of succession. The motto, Et decus et pretium recti, is Latin for "Both the ornament and the reward of virtue."
