Lady Elizabeth Clyde


Lady Elizabeth "Eliza" Clyde was an English socialite. She was the daughter of Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington, and Dorothy Violet Ashton, and thus a great-great-granddaughter of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.

Early Life

Elizabeth Wellesley was born on Boxing Day 1918 to Gerald and Dorothy Wellesley in London. She was christened in the Chapel Royal, St. James Palace with the special permission of King George V. Soon after her birth, the family purchased two homes: 43 Portland Place in London, and Sherfield Court in Hampshire.

Personal Life

Clyde announced her engagement to Major Thomas Clyde of the Royal Horse Guards, son of William Pancoast Clyde, Jr., on 24 October 1939. They married on 18 November 1939 at St. Peter's Church, Vere Street, in London, with her brother as best man. A reception followed at her father's home at Chester Terrace, featuring a wedding cake designed by Rex Whistler and made by Fortnum & Mason.
The family lived at Dorney, Buckinghamshire.
Her children are:
Clyde filed for divorce in 1959 on grounds of adultery, and was granted custody of the couple's youngest son. She and Thomas remained "close and supportive friends" until his' death in the 1999.
She retired to Bramley, Hampshire.