Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny

Mary Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny DCVO (20 October 1915[1] – 22 February 2005) was a friend and Lady of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth II.

The Marchioness of Abergavenny
Born
Mary Patricia Harrison

20 October 1915
Died22 February 2005(2005-02-22) (aged 89)
OccupationLady of the Bedchamber to Elizabeth II
Spouse
(m. 1938; died 2000)
Children
  • Lady Anne Whiteley
  • Lady Vivienne Lillingston
  • Lady Jane Nevill
  • Henry Nevill, Earl of Lewes
  • Lady Rose Clowes
Parent(s)John Harrison
Hon. Margery Levy-Lawson

Life

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She was born Mary Patricia Harrison, the daughter of John Harrison of King’s Walden, and his wife, Hon. Margaret Harrison, a daughter of William Levy-Lawson, 3rd Baron Burnham.[2]

On 4 January 1938, she married the John Nevill, Earl of Lewes, who inherited his father's title of Marquess of Abergavenny in 1954, whereupon Patricia became Marchioness of Abergavenny.[2] They had five children:

  • Lady Anne Patricia Nevill (b. 25 October 1938), married Captain Martin Whiteley and had issue.
  • Lady Vivienne Margaret Nevill (15 February 1941 – 10 September 2018), married Alan Lillingston and had issue.
  • Lady Jane Elizabeth Nevill (1944–1946), died in infancy.
  • Henry John Montague Nevill, Earl of Lewes (1948–1965), educated at Eton, died without issue.[3]
  • Lady Rose Nevill (b. 15 July 1950); a bridesmaid at the wedding of Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones. Lady Rose married George Clowes and had issue.

In 1960 it was suggested to her father (who lived at King's Walden and was a neighbour to the Strathmores' home of St. Paul's Walden Bury) that she become an Extra Lady of the Bedchamber to the Queen; and she held this position from 1960 to 1966. She then became a full Lady of the Bedchamber from 1966 until her retirement in 1987, when she reverted to an Extra Lady until her death.[2]

Death

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The Marchioness of Abergavenny died on 22 February 2005, aged 89.[4]

Honours

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In 1970, Lady Abergavenny was appointed CVO and in 1981 DCVO. In 1969, she received the Grand Decoration in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria.[5][6]

Country Date Appointment Ribbon Post-nominal letters Notes
United Kingdom 1970 Commander of the Royal Victorian Order   CVO Promoted to DCVO in 1981
United Kingdom 1981 Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order   DCVO
United Kingdom 6 February 1977 Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal  
United Kingdom 6 February 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal  
Austria Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for Services to the Republic of Austria  

Notes

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  1. ^ "Abergavenny, Marchioness of; Mary Patricia Nevill". Who's Who 1998 : an Annual Biographical Dictionary. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1998. p. 3. ISBN 0312175914.
  2. ^ a b c Mary Patricia Harrison at thepeerage.com (accessed 18 April 2008)
  3. ^ Cokayne, George E.; Hammond, Peter W. (1982–1998). The complete peerage of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom, extant, extinct, or dormant. Vol. XIV. Gloucester: A. Sutton. p. 8. ISBN 0-904387-82-8. OCLC 9464943.
  4. ^ Death Announcements in The Daily Telegraph dated 25 February 2005
  5. ^ "Reply to a parliamentary question" (PDF) (in German). p. 275. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  6. ^ Reference to Mary Patricia, Marchioness of Abergavenny, DCVO, thegazette.co.uk; accessed 27 March 2016.