Susanna Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duchess of Roxburghe
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Oil on canvas by Henry Wyndham Phillips (1868)
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| Born |
Susanna Stephania Dalbiac
1814 Yorkshire, England
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| Died | 7 May 1895 (aged 80) London, England
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| Resting place | Bowden, Roxburghshire, Scotland |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | Lady Susan Grant-Suttie James Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe Lady Charlotte Innes-Ker Lord Charles Innes-Ker |
| Parent(s) | Sir James Charles Dalbiac Susanna Dalton |
Susanna Innes-Ker, Duchess of Roxburghe (born Susanna Dalbiac; 1814 – 7 May 1895) was a very close friend and important helper to Queen Victoria. She was born into a family with a military background. In 1836, she married the 6th Duke of Roxburghe.
Susanna Innes-Ker served Queen Victoria for a long time. From 1865 until she passed away, she held the special role of a Lady of the Bedchamber. This meant she was one of the Queen's most trusted companions and assistants.
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Her Early Life
Susanna Stephania Dalbiac was born in 1814. She was the only child of James Charles Dalbiac. At the time, her father was a colonel in the British Army. Her mother was Susanna Dalton.
Her father had a brave career in the army. He fought in the Peninsular War with the 4th Light Dragoons. After the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, he returned to England. In 1831, King William IV honored him by making him a knight.
Her Marriage and Family
On December 29, 1836, Susanna married James Innes-Ker, 6th Duke of Roxburghe. To help pay for her dowry (money or property a bride brings to a marriage), her father sold a large house called Moulton Hall in North Yorkshire. He had bought this house after Susanna was born.
The Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe had four children together:
- Lady Susan Harriet Innes-Ker (born 1837 – died 1909)
- James Henry Robert Innes-Ker, 7th Duke of Roxburghe (born 1839 – died 1892)
- Lady Charlotte Isabella Innes-Ker (born 1841 – died 1881)
- Lord Charles John Innes-Ker (born 1842 – died after 1904)
Serving Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria herself described the Duchess of Roxburghe as a "dear and valued friend." This shows how important their friendship was.
A Special Role in the Royal Household
In 1861, people in the royal family thought Susanna might become the Mistress of the Robes. This was the most important job among Queen Victoria's helpers. One person at court said Susanna was "a good, kind woman, very civil and gracious to everybody, very pretty, and perfectly unexceptional in character."
Even though she didn't get this top role right away, she did take on its duties for a short time in 1886. This happened during one of Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone's terms in office.
In 1865, Queen Victoria gave Susanna a special honor. She appointed her as a Lady of the Bedchamber. She also made her a member of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert. In this new role, Susanna's jobs included going with the Queen to important events. By 1879, she was one of Victoria's longest-serving ladies-in-waiting.
An Accident and a Royal Visit
In April 1867, the Duchess of Roxburghe was driving a small carriage called a gig. Her pony got scared, and the carriage crashed into another gig driven by her daughter-in-law. The Duchess was hurt and lay on the grass. Luckily, a doctor passing by found her. He helped her get back to Floors Castle, the family's home in Roxburghshire.
Later that year, Queen Victoria was traveling to Balmoral Castle. She changed her usual route to visit the Duchess at Floors Castle that summer. This shows how much the Queen cared for her friend.
Later Years and Queen Victoria's Grief
In 1879, the Duke of Roxburghe passed away in Geneva while returning from a trip. Their oldest son, James, became the new Duke.
The Duchess of Roxburghe was also present during an attempt to harm Queen Victoria in 1882. A man named Roderick Maclean fired his pistol, but students from Eton College quickly stopped him.
From 1892 until her death, the Duchess served as the acting Mistress of the Robes. She passed away on May 7, 1895, at the age of eighty. The London Standard newspaper reported that Queen Victoria was very sad. They described Susanna as "one of her Majesty's dearest, most valued, and most devoted friends." After Susanna's death, Edith Villiers, Countess of Lytton took over her role.
