Lady Anne Culling Smith facts for kids

Lady Anne Culling Smith (born Wellesley, and previously FitzRoy; 13 March 1768 – 16 December 1844) was an important figure in British history. She was the only sister of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, who became famous for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

Early Life and First Marriage

Lady Anne was born Lady Anne Wesley. Her parents were Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington, and Anne Hill.

Marriage to Henry FitzRoy

On 7 January 1790, Anne married Henry FitzRoy. He was the son of the first Baron Southampton. Henry and Anne had two daughters:

• Anne Caroline Fitzroy, who passed away on 16 December 1835.
• Georgiana Frederica Fitzroy (born 3 October 1792 – died 11 May 1821). She married Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester in 1814. They had two daughters together.

Henry FitzRoy sadly died on 19 March 1794 in Lisbon, Portugal, from a serious illness.

A Surprising Journey Home

After her husband's death, Anne's brother, Henry, traveled to Lisbon to bring her back to England. However, their ship was captured by a French warship on the way home! The siblings were taken as prisoners. Luckily, Anne was set free in January 1795.

Second Marriage and More Children

Anne remarried on 2 August 1799. Her second husband was Charles Culling Smith. They had two more children:

Emily Frances Smith

• Emily Frances Smith (born 3 March 1800 – died 2 October 1889). In 1822, Emily married Lord Worcester. He was the same person who had been married to her half-sister, Georgiana. Lord Worcester later became the 7th Duke of Beaufort in 1835. Emily and Lord Worcester had one son and six daughters.

Frederick William Culling Smith

• Frederick William Culling Smith (died 19 June 1828). He was a godson of the Duke of York. Frederick became a soldier and served in different regiments, reaching the rank of Captain and later Major. He passed away in Malta when he was twenty-six years old.

Family Connections and Later Life

Lady Anne's daughter, Georgiana Frederica FitzRoy, married Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester, in 1814. He had served as an assistant to Georgiana's uncle, the Duke of Wellington, during the Peninsular War.

Wellington's Favorite Niece

Georgiana was the Duke of Wellington's favorite niece. Her death on 11 May 1821 was a very sad event for him and all her friends.

A Second Marriage for Lord Worcester

On 29 June 1822, Lord Worcester married Lady Anne's other daughter, Emily Frances. This marriage made the Duke of Wellington quite upset, and he was never as close to his sister, Lady Anne, afterward. On 23 November 1835, Emily Frances became the Duchess of Beaufort.

Lady Anne Culling Smith passed away on 16 December 1844, at Hampton Court.