(From L-R: HM Queen Sophie, The Queen Mother; The Dowager Duchess of Baxbury; HRH Princess Arabella; HRH Princess Olympia; HM The Queen)
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF BAXBURY CELEBRATES 90TH BIRTHDAY
Windsor Palace released the following portrait to commemorate the birthday of The Dowager Countess of Baxbury. The painting, commissioned by Her Majesty The Queen, features the four living generations of Her Majesty's maternal line to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday. The Queen's niece, HRH Princess Arabelle, was also included.
The portrait was accompanied with a small biography of the Countess' life, reading as follows;
Vivienne May-Porter, The Dowager Countess of Baxbury, was born the only daughter of The First Viscount of Banlocke, Duncan Fitzroy-Ellory, and his wife, The Lady Mary as The Lady Vivienne Fitzroy-Ellory. Despite her father's social elevation, the Fitzroy-Ellory family were of low wealth at the time of the Countess' birth and, as such, the Lady May-Porter was exposed to social prejudice against more financially gifted peers throughout her early childhood.
Upon turning twenty-three, she married Wallace May-Porter, The Viscount Ellenthorpe, the eldest son of the 13th Earl of Baxbury. Upon her father-in-law's death, she became The Countess of Baxbury. Together, the couple had three daughters; the Ladies Rosemary, Lucille and Sophie. Their eldest daughter, Rosemary, was bestowed the title 'Viscountess Ellenthorpe' and named her father's heir. Their middle daughter, Lucille, married The Marquess of Yhvenhill, later becoming the Duchess of Hancester. The Lord and Lady May-Porter's youngest daughter, The Lady Sophie May-Porter, would go on to marry HRH Henry, Prince of Sandringham. Upon his ascension to the throne, she assumed the title Her Majesty Queen Sophie.