Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington

Princess Antonia
Duchess of Wellington (more)
Antonia in 2015
Born (1955-04-28) 28 April 1955 (age 69)
London, England
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1977)​
Issue5, including:
Lady Mary Wellesley
Lady Charlotte Wellesley
Names
Antonia Elizabeth Brigid Louise Mansfeld
HouseHohenzollern
FatherPrince Friedrich of Prussia
MotherLady Brigid Guinness
OccupationPhilanthropist

Princess Antonia of Prussia, Duchess of Wellington OBE (Antonia Elizabeth Brigid Louise Mansfeld; born 28 April 1955) is a British aristocrat and philanthropist. She serves as the President of The Guinness Partnership,[1] an affordable housing community benefit society in the United Kingdom. A member of the House of Hohenzollern by birth, she is a great-granddaughter of Wilhelm II, German Emperor and a great-great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Through her marriage, she is also the Princess of Waterloo, Duchess of Victoria, and Duchess of Ciudad Rodrigo.

Early life and education

Princess Antonia Elizabeth Brigid Louise Mansfeld of Prussia was born in London on 28 April 1955, the daughter of Prince Frederick of Prussia and his wife, Lady Brigid Guinness.[2][3][4] On her father's side, she is a great-granddaughter of the German Emperor Wilhelm II, and granddaughter of Rupert Guinness, 2nd Earl of Iveagh on her mother's side.[5] She has a twin brother, Rupert.[5]

She was educated at Cobham Hall School and King's College London, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English.[6]

Coat of arms of Princess Antonia, Duchess of Wellington

Career

The Duchess attending the State Opening in 2024

In 2007, she was appointed as the President of The Guinness Partnership, an affordable housing charitable society in the United Kingdom, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to social housing.[7][8] Prior to serving as president, she had been a member of the Partnership's Board of Trustees since 1976.

In 2008 Antonia was appointed as a fellow of Eton College, serving as a member of the college's governing body.[9] She is also a fellow of King's College, London. She opened Maggi Hambling's War Requiem & Aftermath, a cultural exhibition at King's College.[10]

In 2009, she became the Chairwoman of the Royal Ballet School, serving until December 2019.[11][12] As chairwoman, she helped lead the school's Healthy Dancer Programme and fundraised for the school's academic programs.[13]

In 2023, she attended the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla, where her husband carried Queen Mary's Crown in the royal procession.[14][15] Later that year, she sat in the royal carriage with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the King's procession at Royal Ascot.[15]

Personal life

On 3 February 1977, she married Charles Wellesley, Marquess of Douro at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge in London. Notable guests at the wedding included Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, the Prince of Wales, Princess Margaret, and the Duke and Duchess of Kent.[16] When her husband succeeded his father as the 9th Duke of Wellington, she became the Princess of Waterloo in Belgium and the Netherlands, the Duchess of Victoria in Portugal, the Duchess of Wellington in the United Kingdom, and the Duchess of Ciudad Rodrigo in Spain. They have five children, including Lady Mary Wellesley and Lady Charlotte Wellesley.[4]

Lines of succession
Preceded by
Francis Achache
 Line of succession to the British throne
descendant of Victoria, Princess Royal, daughter of Queen Victoria 		Succeeded by
Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Douro

References

  1. ^ "Chapter 5: Our link with royalty". The Guinness Partnership. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2021.
  2. ^ Montgomery-Massinberd, Hugh (1972). Burke's Guide to the Royal Family. London, UK: Burke's Peerage, Ltd. p. 301. ISBN 0-220-66222-3.
  3. ^ Eilers, Marlene. Queen Victoria's Descendants. Rosvall Royal Books, Falkoping, Sweden, 1997. pp. 18, 124; ISBN 91-630-5964-9
  4. ^ a b de Badts de Cugnac, Chantal. Coutant de Saisseval, Guy. Le Petit Gotha. Nouvelle Imprimerie Laballery, Paris 2002, pp. 77, 103–105. (French); ISBN 2-9507974-3-1
  5. ^ a b Montgomery-Massingberd, Hugh. "Burke's Royal Families of the World: Volume I Europe & Latin America, 1977, pp. 145, 235, 279. ISBN 0-85011-023-8
  6. ^ "All eyes were on the Duchess of Wellington's tiara this week – but who is this elegant aristocrat?". 10 November 2023.
  7. ^ "King's News Centre – News Centre". King’s College London. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  8. ^ "Chapter 5: Our link with royalty". The Guinness Partnership. 30 January 2015.
  9. ^ Eton College website, Governing Body (accessed on 11 June 2019)
  10. ^ "Duchess of Wellington opens Maggi Hambling exhibition at the Cultural Institute at King's | Website archive | King's College London". King's College, London.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "My favourite painting: The Duchess of Wellington". Country Life. 28 September 2015.
  12. ^ "Christopher Rodrigues CBE appointed as Chairman". 4 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Farewell to our Chairman". 23 December 2019.
  14. ^ "Coronation order of service in full". BBC News. 5 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b "The Duke and Duchess of Wellington are given the ultimate Royal Ascot honour by the King and Queen". Tatler. Condé Nast. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  16. ^ "British Nobility Turns Out for Traditional Blue-Blooded Wedding". The New York Times. 4 February 1977.