Lady Mary Russell (née Baillie-Hamilton; 13 January 1934 – 18 September 2022) was a Scottish socialite who was a maid of honour at the coronation of Elizabeth II.[1][2][3]
Early life and family
editRussell was born as Mary Baillie-Hamilton on 13 January 1934 to George Baillie-Hamilton, 12th Earl of Haddington.[1][2][4] Her brother was a British peer, John Baillie-Hamilton, 13th Earl of Haddington. Her family is the owner of Tyninghame House.[1]
When she was at the age of 10, a French governess started to homeschool her and continued until she was 13 years old.[1] She attended Mayfield School, Mayfield.[1]
She married twice, with Adrian Bailey in 1954 and with David Russell.[1] Upon passing away just 10 days after Elizabeth II's death (and the night before her state funeral), Russell left behind five children and twelve grandchildren.[4]
Career
editFor a brief period, she worked at the Turner Archive, part of the Tate Gallery.[1]
In 1953, she became a maid of honour at the coronation of Elizabeth II along with Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill, Anne Tennant, Baroness Glenconner, and Jane Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby, 28th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.[1]
In the 1980s, she founded a business called Combe Manor Fabrics and later directed Whitchurch Silk Mill as a businesswoman.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Lady Mary Russell, maid of honour at Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation – obituary". The Telegraph. October 6, 2022.
- 1 2 "Lady Mary Russell obituary" – via The Times.
- ↑ "Queen Elizabeth's Coronation Maid of Honor Died the Night Before State Funeral". Entertainment Tonight.
- 1 2 "The Youngest Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation has died". Tatler. September 27, 2022.