Lady Rosemary Mildred Muir (née Spencer-Churchill; born 24 July 1929) is an English aristocrat who served as a maid of honour to Elizabeth II at her coronation in 1953.
Lady Rosemary Muir | |
|---|---|
| Born | Lady Rosemary Mildred Spencer-Churchill 24 July 1929 London, England |
| Noble family | Spencer-Churchill |
| Spouse(s) |
Charles Robert Muir
(m. 1953; died 1972) |
| Issue | Alexander Pepys Muir Simon Huntly Muir Mary Arabella Muir |
| Father | John Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough |
| Mother | Alexandra Mary Cadogan |
Early life and family
editLady Rosemary Mildred Spencer-Churchill was born on 24 July 1929 in London to John Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, and Alexandra Mary Cadogan.[1][2] Her maternal grandfather was Henry Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea. Her paternal grandmother was Consuelo Vanderbilt. Her father inherited the Dukedom of Marlborough, becoming the tenth duke when Spencer-Churchill was five years old. She grew up at Blenheim Palace in West Oxfordshire. After her father's death in 1972 her brother, John, became the eleventh Duke of Marlborough.[3]
Coronation of Elizabeth II
editSpencer-Churchill served as a maid of honour to Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.[4][5][6] She was the eldest and highest ranking maid of honour at Elizabeth II's coronation, as the only daughter of a duke.[7] Lady Rosemary, along with Lady Jane Vane-Tempest-Stewart rode in a carriage with Charles Tryon, 2nd Baron Tryon, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, during the procession while the other maids of honour waited at the abbey.[8] After the coronation, Spencer-Churchill returned to Blenheim to attend an outdoor party hosted by her mother, the Duchess of Marlborough, where they roasted an ox for villagers from Woodstock.[8]
Personal life
editSpencer-Churchill married Charles Robert Muir, a stockbroker, on 26 June 1953 at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford.[5] Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were among the guests at the wedding.[9][10][11] Their first child, Alexander Pepys Muir, was born on 8 November 1954. Their second child, Simon Huntly Muir, was born on 3 July 1959. Their third child, Mary Arabella Muir, was born on 16 January 1962. Their son Alexander is a god-son of Princess Margaret. Her husband died on 24 March 1972. She resides at Orange Hill House in Binfield. [8][12]
She has seven grandchildren, Jack, Rowley, Consuelo, Robin, Thomas, Caspar and Isabella.
In 2015 Spencer-Churchill was featured in the BBC Two documentary film The Last Dukes.[3][13]
References
edit- ^ "Marlborough, Duke of (E, 1702)". cracroftspeerage.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 April 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ "Lady Rosemary Mildred Spencer-Churchill – Biographical Summaries of Notable People – MyHeritage". myheritage.com.
- ^ a b Wollaston, Sam (27 October 2015). "Modern Times: The Last Dukes review – a human zoo with proper toffs". The Guardian.
- ^ Pathé, British. "Selected Originals – The Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth". britishpathe.com.
- ^ a b "Coronation crowd's roar 'fantastic'". BBC News. 4 June 2013.
- ^ "London : Evening Standard – HM Queen Elizabeth IIs Maids-of-Honour leaving Westminster Abbey". royalcollection.org.uk.
- ^ Real Stories (31 July 2017). "The Last Dukes (British Aristocracy Documentary) - Real Stories" – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c "The Queen's Coronation Cay maids of honour: where are they now?".
- ^ "Society Wedding at Oxford. Lady Rosemary Spencer-churchill Weds. by Retro Images Archive". Fine Art America.
- ^ Limited, Alamy. "Stock Photo – Jun. 26, 1953 - Lady Rosemary Spencer – Churchill's Wedding at Oxford. Princess Margaret was among the guest who attended the wedding this afternoon between Lady Rosemary". Alamy.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Topfoto – Preview 1119046 - Lady Rosemary Spencer Churchill, 23, youngest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, marries Mr Charles Robert Muir 28, at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford. The reception was at Blenheim Palace and her HRH Princess Margaret was a guest. She is a friend of both the bride and groom. 26th June 1953". topfoto.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
- ^ "Person Page". thepeerage.com.
- ^ "The Last Dukes – BBC Two". BBC.