Lady Louisa Jane Hamilton, Duchess of Buccleuch, was born on August 26, 1836 and was the daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn and Lady Louisa, daughter of John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford.

 

In 1884, Lady Hamilton became Duchess of Buccleuch and Duchess of Queensbury when her husband, William Henry Montagu Scott, previously the Earl of Dalkeith, inherited his father's titles.

 

Together the Duke and Duchess had 8 children; 6 boys and 2 girls. including Lord Herbert Andrew Montagu Douglas Scott, the maternal Grandfather of Sarah, Duchess of York and John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch. The 7th Duke's daughter, Alice, married Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (becoming Princess Alice) the 3rd son of King George V and Queen Mary. Prince Henry's two elder brothers were Edward VII (who abdicated the British throne to marry Wallace Simpson) and King George VI, father of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth.

 

The Duchess of Buccleuch is related to my family through my 5th cousin, Brigadier General George Evan Michael Baillie. The Duchess was the Great Aunt of his wife, Maud Louisa Emma Cavendish.

 

Lady Hamilton served as Mistress of the Robes to Her Majesty, Queen Victoria from 1885-1892 and again from 1895-1901. In 1901 she was appointed Mistress of the Robes to Her Majesty, Queen Alexandra after the death of Queen Victoria.