Olga FitzGeorge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Olga FitzGeorge
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Olga FitzGeorge (centre) with her grandfather Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, her father Sir Adolphus FitzGeorge, and her son George FitzGeorge Hamilton in 1900.
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| Born |
Olga Mary Adelaide FitzGeorge
11 June 1877 |
| Died | 25 October 1928 (aged 51) |
| Resting place | Glebe Manor, Warblington, Hampshire |
| Spouse(s) | Archibald Hamilton (m. 1897; div. 1902) Robert Charlton Lane (m. 1905) |
| Children | With Hamilton: George FitzGeorge Hamilton unnamed daughter With Lane: Jane Lane Hohler Scrivener |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | George FitzGeorge (uncle) Sir Augustus FitzGeorge (uncle) Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (grandfather) Sarah Fairbrother (grandmother) Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (great-grandfather) Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel (great-grandmother) George III of the United Kingdom (great-great-grandfather) |
| Family | By birth: FitzGeorge family, a morganatic branch of the House of Hanover By marriage: Hamilton family |
Olga FitzGeorge (born 11 June 1877 – died 15 October 1928) was a well-known British socialite and businesswoman. She was a descendant of King George III through her grandfather, Prince George, Duke of Cambridge. Olga was the only child of Rear Admiral Sir Adolphus FitzGeorge and his wife Sophia Jane Holden FitzGeorge.
She was born in Athens, Greece, while her father was working with the Mediterranean Fleet. Olga was named after her godmothers: Queen Olga of Greece and her great aunt Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck. As a child, Olga's parents let her perform in plays for charity. This happened even though her great-grandmother Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, and her grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge, had concerns.
Olga FitzGeorge first married Charles Edward Archibald Watkin Hamilton in 1897. She was known for living a very fancy lifestyle. This caused problems in her marriage as her husband's debts grew. To become financially independent, Olga opened a manicure and beauty salon in London. Her first marriage ended in a public divorce in 1902. They had two children: a son, George FitzGeorge Hamilton, born in 1898, and a daughter who died shortly after birth. Her son George died in 1918 while serving in France during World War I.
In 1905, Olga married lawyer Robert Charlton Lane. They had a daughter, Mary Alice Olga Sofia Jane Lane, in 1919. Olga FitzGeorge died in Rouen, France, in 1928 at age 51. She left money to Winchester College to help educate children whose fathers died in World War I. Her daughter Jane later married British ambassador Ronald Stratford Scrivener and died in 2014.
Contents
Early Life and Family Connections
Olga Mary Adelaide FitzGeorge was born on 11 June 1877. She was the only child of Rear Admiral Sir Adolphus FitzGeorge (1846–1922) and his first wife Sophia Jane Holden FitzGeorge (1857–1920). Her birth took place in Athens, Greece. Her father was serving there with the Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet.
Olga was named after her two godmothers. They were Queen Olga of Greece (1851–1926) and her great aunt Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck (1833–1897). Queen Olga gave Olga FitzGeorge a pearl heart at her baptism.
Through her father, Olga was the granddaughter of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (1819–1904). He was the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces for many years. Her grandmother was Sarah Fairbrother (1816–1890). Because her grandparents' marriage did not follow the Royal Marriages Act of 1772, Olga's father and uncles could not inherit the Dukedom of Cambridge.
Olga was also a direct descendant of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge (1774–1850) and King George III (1738–1820). This made her a distant cousin of Queen Victoria (1819–1901). She was also a cousin of Queen Mary (1867–1953). Queen Mary was the daughter of Olga's godmother, the Duchess of Teck. Olga's mother's parents were Thomas Holden and Penelope Sofiano Holden. Thomas Holden was a rich businessman. He provided much of the wealth for Olga's parents.
Childhood and Growing Up
As a child, Olga's parents allowed her to perform in plays and musicals. These performances helped raise money for charity. In June 1882, she and her father performed in three plays. They were in Newark-on-Trent to help build a new local hospital.
Olga's grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge, was worried about her public performances. His mother, Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, encouraged him to intervene. In 1884, the Duke was concerned about Olga attending a charity event. Her mother hosted it at St James's Palace. Even though important royal figures attended, the Duke wrote to Olga's father. He insisted that Olga should be "quietly dressed" and that "appearing on the stage is not desirable."
In 1886, Olga was a bridesmaid at her aunt's wedding. She also attended a grand ball hosted by Queen Victoria. This event took place at Buckingham Palace in May 1895.
Olga's First Marriage
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Olga FitzGeorge first married Charles Edward Archibald Watkin Hamilton. He later became Sir Archibald Hamilton, 5th Baronet. Their wedding was on 18 December 1897. Hamilton was the son of Sir Edward Archibald Hamilton, 4th Baronet.
Their wedding took place at St Peter's Church in Belgravia. Olga's father gave her away. She had eight bridesmaids and two pages. The pages wore sailor uniforms with "H.M.S. Olga" on their hats.
Olga wore a special Honiton lace veil. It was a family treasure that her mother had worn before. She wore only one piece of jewelry: the pearl heart given to her by her godmother, Queen Olga of Greece. The wedding reception was held at her parents' home. Afterward, the couple went to Paris for their honeymoon.
Many important guests attended the wedding. These included Olga's grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge. The Prince and Princess of Wales were also there. Other guests included the Duchess of York and various counts and countesses.
Olga received many gifts. The Prince and Princess of Wales gave her a gold bracelet. Queen Olga of Greece sent a diamond and enamel brooch. Her grandfather gave her a diamond pendant. Other gifts included a fan, perfume, bangles, and a silver sugar caster.
After their wedding, Olga and Hamilton lived in Midhurst, Sussex. In 1898, they hosted a celebration for Olga's grandfather.
Olga and Hamilton had two children. Their son, George Edward Archibald Augustus FitzGeorge Hamilton, was born on 30 December 1898. Their unnamed daughter was born and died on 5 May 1902. At their son George's baptism, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of York were sponsors. In 1900, a famous photo called "Four Generations" was published. It showed Olga with her grandfather, father, and son.
Divorce Proceedings
Before her marriage, Olga was known for her expensive lifestyle. She continued this after marrying, which caused her husband to go into debt. This led to arguments when Hamilton tried to limit her spending. To gain financial freedom, Olga opened a manicure and beauty salon. It was on New Bond Street in London. She put her married name on the front door.
Her business upset both her husband's family and the British royal family. After it opened, Hamilton left Olga. In May 1901, he moved back to his parents' home. Olga stayed at their home in Victoria, London. Hamilton visited his wife and child sometimes, but then stopped.
Olga asked for a legal order called a decree of restitution of conjugal rights. This order asks a spouse to return to the marriage. She was granted this order on 28 July 1902. Olga also gained custody of their son, George. Even though the royal family tried to help them reconcile, Olga filed for divorce. She was granted a divorce from Hamilton on 3 November 1902. The reason was that her husband had left her.
Olga's Second Marriage
Three years later, Olga married lawyer Robert Charlton Lane. They married on 5 January 1905 in London. After their marriage, Olga often traveled to New York. They lived in Belgravia and had an estate called Glebe Manor in Warblington, Hampshire.
In 1916, during World War I, Olga's son George joined the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In late 1917, he became a Second lieutenant in the British Army's Grenadier Guards. His great-grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge, had also served in this regiment. Only a few months later, on 18 May 1918, George was killed. He died from a bomb dropped by an airplane in France. He was buried at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery.
After the war, Olga and Lane had a daughter. Mary Alice Olga Sofia Jane Lane was born on 4 June 1919. Olga's mother, Sophia, died on 3 February 1920. She left some jewelry to Olga, which would later go to Jane. Olga's father married again in October 1920. He died on 17 December 1922 in London.
Later Life, Death, and Legacy
Olga FitzGeorge died on 15 October 1928 at age 51. She passed away suddenly in Rouen, French Third Republic. She had been touring Bayeux and staying in Rouen. Olga died from an embolism as she was getting into her car.
Her body was moved from Le Havre to Southampton. Her funeral was held on 19 October at Warblington Church. Olga was buried at her Glebe Manor estate in Warblington.
In her will, Olga left a gold cup to the officers' mess of the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. This cup had been given to her son George by the Duke of Cambridge. Olga also left £1,000 to Winchester College. This money was for the George FitzGeorge Hamilton Fund. The fund helps educate children whose fathers died in World War I.
Olga's daughter Jane married Edward Christopher Hohler in 1939. They later divorced in 1961. Jane then married Ronald Stratford Scrivener in 1962. He was the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Panama. Jane died on 20 September 2014 at age 95. She had four children with her first husband:
- Olga Mary Hohler Bland (1940–2019)
- Philippa Caroline Jane Hohler Sanders Snowdon (born 1942)
- Frederick Christopher Gerald Hohler (born 1943)
- Robert Henry Adolphus Hohler (born 1947)
At the time of her death, Jane had 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Images for kids
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Olga FitzGeorge (centre) with her grandfather, father, and son in 1900.
