Mary Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe facts for kids

Mary Evelyn Hungerford Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe, was born Lady Mary Crewe-Milnes on March 23, 1915. She was an important person in British society and lived until July 2, 2014. Her father was Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe. Her mother, Lady Peggy Primrose, was one of the first women to become a magistrate in 1919. A magistrate is like a judge who handles less serious legal cases. Mary's maternal grandparents were Hannah de Rothschild and Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery.

Her Marriage and Divorce

Mary was a goddaughter of Queen Mary. She married George Innes-Ker, 9th Duke of Roxburghe on October 24, 1935, at Westminster Abbey. They later divorced in 1953. She became well-known for staying in the family home, Floors Castle, even when her husband tried to make her leave.

Mary was also a big supporter of The Royal Ballet. She helped them a lot during the time when famous dancers like Margot Fonteyn and Frederick Ashton were performing.

West Horsley Place Estate

In 1967, Mary's mother, Lady Crewe, passed away. She left Mary an estate in West Horsley, Surrey. This included West Horsley Place, a large country house built in the 16th century. When Mary died, this house was inherited by her grandnephew, Bamber Gascoigne. He was the grandson of her older half-sister, Lady Annabel Hungerford Crewe-Milnes.

Her Passing and Legacy

The Duchess of Roxburghe passed away on July 2, 2014, at the age of 99, after a long illness.

In her will, the Duchess left her family's large collection of over 7,500 books to the library of Trinity College, Cambridge. Both her father and grandfather had studied there. Among these books, a very special first edition of The Faerie Queene was found. This book had a note written inside it by King Charles I during his time in prison.