The Countess Mountbatten of Burma's funeral was held today at St. Paul's Knightsbridge, London. The guests included the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (first cousin), the Prince of Wales (godson), the Duke of York, the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence, the Countess of Wessex, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke of Kent, with two of his children, Lord St. Andrews (with his son Lord Doownpatrick), Lady Helen Taylor (with her husband, Timothy Taylor), Prince Michael of Kent, Princess Alexandra, Lady Sarah Chatto Lady Pamela Hicks (sister) and India Hicks (niece), Lord Ivar Mountbatten, whose father David, the 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven, was the late Countess' first cousin, and the Duchess of Abercorn, whose mother was Georgina Wernher, daughter of Lady Zia Werhner, whose sister, Nada was married to George, 2nd Marquess of Milford Haven. Gina was a childhood friend of Lady Mountbatten and the Queen. She was a first cousin to David, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven.
Lady Mountbatten's six surviving children and grandchildren, including the Hon. Nicholas Knatchbull, only son of Lord and Lady Brabourne, He remained in the background.
The Queen, Princess Alexandra and Lady Pamela Hicks were bridesmaids at the Countess' wedding on October 26, 1946 to Lord Brabourne, The other bridesmaid was the late Princess Margaret.
The Countess died at her home in Mersham on June 13th at the age of 93.
The coffin was carried by soldiers from the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. The late Countess was their second colonel-in-chief.
Following the burial, the late Countess' son, Lord Brabourne, will be styled as the 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma. His wife will be the Countess Mountbatten of Burma. The new earl is also Baron Brabourne, but the Mountbatten earldom is a higher rank. It is has not been announced if new heir, Nicholas, will be styled as Lord Brabourne or Lord Romsey.
A reception at the Berkelely Hotel.
Lady Mountbatten was buried at Mersham in the Brabourne family plot.
https://ppcli.com/
https://ppcli.com/the-regiment/colonel-in-chief/past-colonel-chief/countess-mountbatten-burma/
The Queen was one of the Countess' childhood playmates.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/27/queen-leads-mourners-funeralof-countess-mountbatten/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_tw
I've got to say it, the poor Queen looks so very sad. It must be so very difficult to watch all these people from your life passing away.
ReplyDeleteWas there representation from Greece or Sweden, given the family connection?
ReplyDeleteno.
ReplyDeleteI hope someday some enterprising royal chronicler takes on this noble lady's story. I think the Countess's life was an epic of family, friendship, patriotism, service and courage. I've read many bios about her family members where she has made "walk-on" appearances, and her honest commentaries as a witness in "The Windsors" documentary illustrate a lady of great character and strength. Also her will to survive and preserve her family after that vile terrorist attack is an example that people can survive the most unimaginable events with dignity and grace.
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