The 11th Duke of Marlborough 1926-2014

[Michael Rhodes]

_. His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, 11th duke in the Peerage of England (cr 1702), died 16 October, 2014. He was 88.

John George Henry Vanderbilt Spencer-Churchill was born  13 Apr, 1926, elder son of the 10th Duke (1897-1972), by his wife the former Alexandra Mary Hilda Cadogan (1900-61), and succeeded to the Marlborough peerages and the Blenheim Palace estate, Oxfordshire, on his father's demise, 11 March, 1972.

The Duke of Marlborough was four times wed. His first marriage, 1951 (div 1960) was to Susan Mary Hornby (who died 2005). He married 2ndly, 1961 (div 1971), Athina Mary Onassis, former wife of Aristotle Onassis, and dau of Stavros Livanos; married 3rdly, 1972 (div 2008) Countess Dagmar Rosita Astri Libertas Douglas (b 1943); married 4thly, 2008, Mrs Lily Mahtani.

The duke is survived by his fourth wife and two children from the first marriage, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill (b 1958), and Charles James, styled Marquess of Blandford (b 24 Nov, 1955), and by two children, Lord Edward (b 1974) and Lady Alexandra Spencer-Churchill (b 1977), from his third union.

The dukedom and numerous subsidiary peerages now devolve upon the duke's eldest surviving son, the Marquess of Blandford.

-=-

[marquess]

I wouldn't call six titles numerous, Argyll has 15 and Hamilton has 16, and I am sure that the dukedom of Wellington has more than 6 even of the foreign ones are left out.

[Michael Rhodes]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11167126/Duke-of-Marlborough-dies-aged-88.html

[Richard R]

The Telegraph death notices have finally caught up with the death of the Duke of Marlborough:MARLBOROUGH, John George Vanderbilt Henry died peacefully on 16th October 2014, aged 88. He will be sorely missed by his family and all those who knew him. A private funeral for his family and close friends will be held on 24th October at the Parish Church of St Mary Magdalene, Woodstock at 11.30m, followed by a reception at the Orangery, Blenheim Palace. A Memorial Service will be held in London, details to follow

[www.maltagenealogy.com]

Realisticly, He is the Prince of the Holy Roman Empire, Prince of Mindelheim.  Even though it was succeeded through female lineage.

[marquess]

He was not a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire that title became extinct with the death of the first duke, and was erroneously listed as a  prince of the Holy Roman Empire in copies of Debretts prior to 1990. An interesting thought is that had the Marquis of Blandford not died  in 1703 would the dukedom have been given such a generous special remainder? There is a comment  in the Complete Peerage about the lack of special remainder for the dukedom of Wellington.

On Thursday, October 16, 2014 7:17:02 PM UTC+7, Michael Rhodes wrote:

[www.maltagenealogy.com]

Thanks for that. I'll take a look at that with Wellington shortly.

[www.maltagenealogy.com]

PrintComment

11th Duke of Marlborough laid to rest in funeral

http://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/2014102421576/duke-marlborough-funeral-blenheim-palace/

[Shinjinee]

You could also look for pictures in the Daily Mail story of yesterday.  I spotted a photograph of the late Duke's third wife Rosita, Duchess of Marlborough nee Douglas, a sister of Elizabeth, Duchess in Bavaria, and an aunt of the Hereditary Princess of Liechtenstein.  I don't know the names of the couple behind her, possibly a son of Lord Charles Spencer Churchill (also pictured).  Another photograph showed Rosita's children Lord Edward and his sister Lady Alexandra.  There were also pictures of the 12th Duke's three children - George, now Marquess of Blandford (previously Earl of Sunderland), and Lady Araminta and Lord Caspar.  Most of the ladies, save the new Duchess, wore hats.   Also present were Rebecca Few-Brown, first wife of the new Duke and mother of his heir;  Viscount and Viscountess Linley;  Lady Forte, wife of Hon Sir Rocco Forte; and a sunglass-wearing Arpad "Arki" Busson, among others.  I suppose the Linleys were representing the Royal family if at all.

Shinjinee

[www.maltagenealogy.com]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2806349/Flag-half-mast-Blenheim-Palace-Mourners-line-route-funeral-cortege-11th-Duke-Marlborough-died-aged-88.html

[Michael Rhodes]

A memorial service for the Duke of Marlborough is to be held at the Guards Chapel. London, 4 Feb 2015.

On Monday, 27 October 2014 20:55:29 UTC, www.maltagenealogy.com wrote:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2806349/Flag-half-mast-Blenheim-Palace-Mourners-line-route-funeral-cortege-11th-Duke-Marlborough-died-aged-88.html

[Michael Rhodes]

The published probate records reveal that the 11th duke left a personal fortune of £35.7million reduced after liabilities to a net estate of £29.1 million - it does not include Blenheim Palace or any assets already held in trust.

Property expert Henry Pryor said the Blenheim Palace estate and its assets could be worth £180m.