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Thursday, June 23, 2022

Lady Elizabeth Shakerley's memorial service

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 A memorial service was held today at Westminster Abbey for the late Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, the founder of Party Planners.

The Hon. Elizabeth Georgiana Anson was born on June 7, 1941, at Windsor Castle to Thomas, Viscount Anson (1913-1958) and Anne Bowes-Lyon (1917-1980), a niece of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.   She had one older brother, Patrick, the 5th Earl of Lichfield (and noted society photographer).

One of Elizabeth's godparents was King George VI.  Lord and Lady Anson divorced in 1948.   Two years later, Anne married Prince Georg of Denmark, the eldest son of Prince Axel of Denmark and Princess Margaretha of Sweden.     

Lord Anson died in 1958, leaving his son as heir to the Lichfield earldom.  Patrick succeeded his grandfather in 1960.  A year later, Queen Elizabeth issued a Royal Warrant that gave Elizabeth the title, rank, and precedence as the daughter of an Earl, thus becoming the Lady Elizabeth Anson.

In 1960,  she founded Party Planners, which would soon become the go-to planning business for royals and members of society.   As the stepdaughter of Prince George, she was often invited to European royal events, which gave her more contacts for her growing business.  In 1966, she was a bridesmaid at the wedding of the future Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Claus von Amsberg.

Lady Elizabeth married Sir Geoffrey Shakerley, Bt., in 1972, as his second wife.  The wedding took place at Westminster Abbey. Lady Elizabeth's attendants included Princess Anne and Lady Sarah Armstrong-Jones. The couple had one daughter Fiona, a goddaughter of Queen Beatrix,  in August 1973.    The Shakerleys separated in 1986 and were finally divorced in 2009.   Sir Geoffrey died in 2012.

Lady Elizabeth died on November 1, 2020.

The Countess of Wessex represented the Queen at the memorial service.  The late Lady Elizabeth was a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth.


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