Duchess of Buccleuch dies ‘after short illness’ following operation, household says
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he Duchess of Buccleuch has died aged 68 “after a short illness” following an operation, a press release on behalf of her household has stated.
Born in 1954, Lady Elizabeth Kerr married the present Duke of Buccleuch, Richard Scott, in 1981, occurring to have 4 youngsters.
The duke was to go to the coronation on Saturday however is now understood to be unlikely to attend.
The household owns 4 estates in central Scotland, the Scottish Borders – the place they function the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry – and rural Northamptonshire.
Benny Higgins, the manager chairman of Buccleuch – which manages the enterprise pursuits of the household, stated: “The Duke of Buccleuch and his family have announced that, very sadly, on Sunday morning the duchess died after a short illness following an operation.
The duchess was the most wonderful, life-enhancing spirit and our hearts go out to the family as they come to terms with their loss
“The duchess was the most wonderful, life-enhancing spirit and our hearts go out to the family as they come to terms with their loss.”
The duchess was educated at London School of Economics, gaining a bachelor’s diploma in sociology, earlier than occurring to work on BBC Radio 4’s Kaleidoscope programme after which transferring to BBC Radio Solway after marrying the Duke.
Her major curiosity, nevertheless, was within the arts, with the duchess founding the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, a number one literary award for which she served as a choose.
She subsequently established the Young Walter Scott Prize for aspiring writers.
The duchess was additionally concerned in a variety of different arts organisations, serving because the chairwoman of Scottish Ballet and the Heritage Education Trust in addition to a trustee of the National Museums of Scotland and the British Museum.
She is survived by her husband, 4 youngsters and 11 grandchildren.
There can be a non-public household service within the Scottish Borders, with a service to have fun her life to be introduced at a later date.