Susan Pelham-Clinton
Encyclopedia
Susan Charlotte Catherine Pelham-Clinton, Lady Vane-Tempest (7 April 1839 – 6 September 1875), was a British noblewoman and one of the mistresses of King Edward VII of England when he was Prince of Wales
. Lady Susan was a bridesmaid to Victoria, Princess Royal
and two years later became the wife of Lord Adolphus Vane-Tempest. She took the Prince as her lover in about 1864 following her husband's death, and allegedly gave birth to his illegitimate child in 1871.
and Susan Beckford). She had four brothers including Henry Pelham-Clinton, 6th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
. Her childhood was blighted by her parents' divorce in 1850, following the scandal when her mother eloped with her lover, Lord Horatio Walpole, by whom she had an illegitimate son, Horatio. Her mother would later in 1860 marry a Belgian, Jean Alexis Opdebeck.
On 25 January 1858, Lady Susan stood as one of the bridesmaids to Victoria, Princess Royal at her wedding to Emperor Frederick III
at St James's Palace. She was depicted in the John Phillip
painting which commemorated the event.
(2 July 1825- 11 June 1864) on 23 April 1860 several weeks after her 21st birthday. He held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army and was allegedly an alcoholic as well as mentally instable. Queen Victoria
described him as having "a natural tendency to madness". He died just four years after their marriage, which had produced one son:
On at least one occasion, Susan and her infant son were both physically attacked by her unstable husband.
of the Prince of Wales, who would later succeed his mother, Queen Victoria to the British throne as King Edward VII. He had married his consort Alexandra of Denmark
in 1863. According to author John Van der Kiste
, Susan bore the Prince an illegitimate child in 1871. He cites in his book Edward VII's Children that one of Susan's confidantes wrote to Edward advising him that the "crisis was due within two or three months", which is presumably a reference to Susan's pregnancy. She allegedly gave birth to the Prince's child in Ramsgate
at the end of 1871. Nothing however, is known of the baby's sex or subsequent fate because when Susan died on 6 September 1875 at the age of 36, she took the secret with her to the grave.
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
. Lady Susan was a bridesmaid to Victoria, Princess Royal
Victoria, Princess Royal
The Princess Victoria, Princess Royal was the eldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Prince Albert. She was created Princess Royal of the United Kingdom in 1841. She became German Empress and Queen of Prussia by marriage to German Emperor Frederick III...
and two years later became the wife of Lord Adolphus Vane-Tempest. She took the Prince as her lover in about 1864 following her husband's death, and allegedly gave birth to his illegitimate child in 1871.
Family
Lady Susan was born on 7 April 1839, the only daughter of British politician Henry Pelham-Clinton, 5th Duke of Newcastle and Lady Susan Hamilton (daughter of Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of HamiltonAlexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton
Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton, 7th Duke of Brandon KG PC FRS FSA was a Scottish politician and art collector....
and Susan Beckford). She had four brothers including Henry Pelham-Clinton, 6th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Henry Pelham-Clinton, 6th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne
Henry Pelham Alexander Pelham-Clinton, 6th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne was an English nobleman, styled Lord Clinton until 1851 and Earl of Lincoln until he inherited the dukedom in 1864....
. Her childhood was blighted by her parents' divorce in 1850, following the scandal when her mother eloped with her lover, Lord Horatio Walpole, by whom she had an illegitimate son, Horatio. Her mother would later in 1860 marry a Belgian, Jean Alexis Opdebeck.
On 25 January 1858, Lady Susan stood as one of the bridesmaids to Victoria, Princess Royal at her wedding to Emperor Frederick III
Frederick III, German Emperor
Frederick III was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I and was raised in his family's tradition of military service...
at St James's Palace. She was depicted in the John Phillip
John Phillip
John Phillip was a Victorian era painter best known for his portrayals of Spanish life. He was nicknamed "Spanish Phillip"....
painting which commemorated the event.
Marriage
Susan married Lord Adolphus Vane-TempestLord Adolphus Vane-Tempest
Lord Adolphus Frederick Charles William Vane-Tempest , known until 1854 as Lord Adolphus Vane, was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom....
(2 July 1825- 11 June 1864) on 23 April 1860 several weeks after her 21st birthday. He held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Army and was allegedly an alcoholic as well as mentally instable. Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
described him as having "a natural tendency to madness". He died just four years after their marriage, which had produced one son:
- Major Francis Adolphus Vane-Tempest (4 January 1863- 10 December 1932), married Gertude Magdalen Elliot, by whom he had issue.
On at least one occasion, Susan and her infant son were both physically attacked by her unstable husband.
Prince of Wales
Sometime after her husband's death which occurred on 11 June 1864, she became the mistressEnglish royal mistress
An English royal mistress is the unofficial title used to refer to the person who held the position of unmarried lover to the king of England either before or after his accession to the throne. Female lovers were, by convention, the most easily acknowledged, and often became influential individuals...
of the Prince of Wales, who would later succeed his mother, Queen Victoria to the British throne as King Edward VII. He had married his consort Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark
Alexandra of Denmark was the wife of Edward VII of the United Kingdom...
in 1863. According to author John Van der Kiste
John Van der Kiste
John Van der Kiste, author, was born in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, on September 15, 1954, son of Wing Commander Guy Van der Kiste . He was educated at Blundell's School, Tiverton, where he briefly formed a rock band Cobweb with fellow pupil Miles Tredinnick, later vocalist with new wave band...
, Susan bore the Prince an illegitimate child in 1871. He cites in his book Edward VII's Children that one of Susan's confidantes wrote to Edward advising him that the "crisis was due within two or three months", which is presumably a reference to Susan's pregnancy. She allegedly gave birth to the Prince's child in Ramsgate
Ramsgate
Ramsgate is a seaside town in the district of Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century and is a member of the ancient confederation of Cinque Ports. It has a population of around 40,000. Ramsgate's main attraction is its coastline and its main...
at the end of 1871. Nothing however, is known of the baby's sex or subsequent fate because when Susan died on 6 September 1875 at the age of 36, she took the secret with her to the grave.