Grenfell, Ethel , Baroness Desborough (1867 -1952)

Ethel Anne Priscilla Fane or Ethel "Ettie" Grenfell, Lady Desborough was born in 1867. Her father, Julian Fane, died when she was three. In 1887 she married William Grenfell (1855-1945), who was raised to the nobility in 1905 by becoming 1st Baron Desborough of Taplow. They had a happy marriage, but Ethel had young lovers, one of whom was Archie Ian Gordon, son of John Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair, who died in a car crash in 1909. Her marriage brought five children, three sons and two daughters. One of her sons was the war poet Julian Grenfell, who was killed in the First World War. Another son was killed months later, while her third son, who became a farmer, died in a car accident in 1925. From 1911 Ettie was periodically Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Mary, consort of George V. Lady Desborough was renowned as a hostess, Winston Churchill and H.G.Wells being among her guests. She was said to be the confidante of six Prime Ministers.