The other week we went to visit National Trust property Polesden Lacey, the country retreat of Edwardian hostess Mrs Greville.
Margaret married the Hon. Ronald Greville, a close friend of The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. The new Mrs Greville became best friends with Alice Keppel, Edward’s favourite mistress. There are photographs of weekend shooting parties at Polesden Lacey with Edward and Alice in attendance… as well as Alice’s husband!
Mr Greville died in 1908 at the tender age of 43. The couple had no children.
After her husband’s death Mrs Greville set about becoming the hostess with the mostess. She entertained royal guests from Egypt, Spain and Greece as well as our own royal family. Prince Albert (the future George VI) and his new bride Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyons honeymooned at Polesden Lacey. Elizabeth remarked “This is a delicious house…”.
Mrs Greville died in 1942. By this time she had taken up residence in The Dorchester Hotel, refusing to leave despite the (WWII) bombings. She left her extensive jewellery collection to Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother), pieces of which are still worn by members of the royal family today. She bequeathed Polesden Lacey to the National Trust so that it would be opened up to the public and protected for generations to come.
The day we went was freezing so we stuck to the house and the gift shop. We’ll probably return when the weather is warmer as everybody says the gardens are gorgeous.
All in all it was a really lovely afternoon, only dampened when we returned to the car to find a 10cm scratch across the front passenger door. Bummer. Mrs Greville would have been appalled!