Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Death of Lady Kennard

Kennard, Georgina. Died peacefully at home, aged 91, on 28th April 2011 surrounded by her family. Adored by Sacha, Nicky, Fiona, Marita and Natalia and their children and grandchildren. Funeral Service on Thursday 5th May at 2.30 p.m., The Chapel, Royal Hospital, Chelsea. No flowers but donations may be given to St. John Ambulance Brigade and/or Marie Curie Cancer Care.




Georgina Lady Kennard died on April 28 at her home in London.  She was 91 years old.  

Lady Kennard was born Georgina Wernher in Edinburgh, Scotland on October 17, 1919, the second of three children of Sir Harold Wernher, Bt, and Countess Anastasia Torby, eldest daughter of Grand Duke Michael of Russia and his morganatic wife, Sophie Torby.  She married Sir George Kennard, 3rd Bt., in 1992.  He died in 1999.

On October 10, 1944, Georgina married Lt. Harold Phillips (1909-1980).  They were the parents of five children, Alexandra, who is married to the Duke of Abercorn, Nicholas (1947-1991), Fiona, Burnett of Leys, Marita Knight, and Natalia, the wife of the Duke of Westminster.

Georgina and her younger sister, Myra, were childhood friends of Queen Elizabeth and her younger sister, Princess Margaret.  Their older brother, Alex, who was killed in action during the second world war, was Prince Philip's best friend.    

Lady Kennard remained a lifelong friend of Queen Elizabeth II.  She was one of the Duke of York's godparents.  Her daughter, the Duchess of Westminster, is one of William's godmothers.

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