Fortune FitzRoy, Duchess of Grafton


Ann Fortune FitzRoy, Dowager Duchess of Grafton, , is the widow of Hugh FitzRoy, 11th Duke of Grafton. She has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967.

Early life

She was born as Ann Fortune Smith to Captain Evan Cadogan Eric Smith MC of Ashfold in Sussex, and his wife Beatrice Williams. Her younger brother, Sir John Smith, was a financier with the family banking business, a Conservative MP, and the founder of the Landmark Trust. Another younger brother is Jeremy Fox Eric Smith.

Marriage and children

On 12 October 1946, she married the then Earl of Euston, whom she had first met at the age of 18 at a ball at Euston Hall. They had five children:
In 1970, Hugh Fitzroy, Earl of Euston, succeeded his father after his death as 11th Duke of Grafton, whereupon she became known as the Duchess of Grafton. In April 2011, the Duchess of Grafton was widowed. Her husband was succeeded as duke by their grandson, Henry FitzRoy, Viscount Ipswich, since their elder son died in 2009. She turned 100 in February 2020.

Titles and styles

She was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II between 1953 and 1966, and she has been Mistress of the Robes since 1967. The Queen is godmother to her daughter, Lady Virginia Mary Elizabeth FitzRoy. The Duchess was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1980 Birthday Honours.

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