SURPRISE FOR SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 3

SURPRISE FOR SOCIETY

DUCHESS OF WESTMINSTER MARRIED QUIETLY TO EX-FLYING OFFICER. DIVORCE SUIT RECALLED. It was briefly mentioned in tire "N.Z. Times” columns some weeks back that the Duchess of Westminster had married again, and that her husband was an ex-Flying Corps officer. It was subsequently learned that the Duchess of Westminster was married quietly in the country to Captain James Fitzpatrick Lewis. The Duchess left London and went to stay at her country homo at Annesley Dank, Lyndhurst. Hampshire. Captain Lewis, who was formerly in the Royal Air Force, is twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age. "I would rather not state where the marriage took place/* said Cajitain Lewis in an interview. “I may say, however, that I first met the duchess ar her hospital in France. In a few days we hope to go to the Continent to live. We had expected to be away by now. It had been our intention to get away from England and then • announce our marriage.”

'Captain Lewis .is short and slight in appearance, and still looks the typical flying officer. Before the war he was in business in London at Lloyd’s. He is a keen sportsman and an expert billiard player. Ho has considerable dramatic ability, being, ' among other things, an excellent mimic. He has appeared in the stage on several occasions. Captain Lewis was under treatment at the hospital where he met his future wife. This hospital at Le Touquet. one of the best in France, was established by the Duchess at the beginning of the war. and usually contained over GCOO patients, including about 1200 officers. Captain Lewis is the only surviving son of Air James H. Lewis, of Denherg, York road, Woking. Ho was educated at a private school, and then went to Uppingham. During the war ho did good work. DIVORCE SUIT RECALLED. DUKE AND DUCHESS LED SEPARATE LIVES. Tlio Duchess of Westminster appeared in the Divorce Court in Juno last year. She was granted a decree nisi because of the legal desertion and unfaithfulness of her husband, the duke. The decree nisi was made absolute on December 10th, 1919. Miss Cornwallis-West (as the duchess was then), younger daughter of the late Colonel Cornwallis-West, of Ruthin Castle, Denbighshire, was twenty-two years old when a boy and girl romance, whicli is sai l to have lasted fifteen years, ended'in her mairiake to the youthful Duke of Westminster, at St. Paul’s, Knightsbridge, early in 1901. She is a woman of unequalled sqcial accomplishments, wjth a passion for outdoor sport, including riding and skating. She was one of the first society women to fly. During the early part of the war she served as a volunteer with the Red Cross in the field, and she had the supervision and lay control of the base hospital at Staples. For her services there she was mentioned in despatches. ESTRANGEMENT BEGINS.

Her life with the Duke, as told by her counsel in the Divorce Court on June 17th last, was without any serious quarrels, if not completely happy, until the end of 1909. Then the estrangement which had already begun became more marked. Darin"- the tollowing three years, it was explained, they were both living in the same house, but saw very little of each other. In the mo ruins the Duke would go to hie study. Then he would go out to luncheon, not telling the Duchess where' ho was going. He would return in the afternoon, sometimes going to see his wife, but very rarely, for a few minutes. Then he would dross, go out and dine, return about 9.30 p.m., and proceed to his own study. The Duke would remain there till about 11 p.m., when his cur would,take him away. Ho would come home in the morning. in 1913 hi refused to live in the same house aa his wife. In 1911, when the Duke was in Egypt, the Duchess wrote to the Duke saying that she and her sister were coming out to him. When they got to the hotel he immediately left, and the wife was unable to see him or communicate with him. While tlio Duke was at Eaton Ha.il with a party of friends the Duchess went there, and on her arrival he departed, leaving three of the members of his pad'V behind. On January SUi, 1913, the Duke wrote to his wife offering her a separation allowance of .£13,01)9 a. year and the use of his yacht and promising to continue the allowances to the Duchess’s father and mother. . This offer Her Grace refused, and in the following month the Duke’s solicitor informed her that Eaton Hall and Grosvonor House ■ was both closed to her. In tho witness-box the. Duchess said that at tho commencement of 1910 she did not exist at all. AN IDEAL NUESE. DUCHESS’S STEELING WOEIC. Three children, wore born to the Duke and Duchess. Lady Ursula Grosvenor, who was a quick and pretty child, ami who is now eighteen, is the eldest; Edward George Hugh, Earl Grosvenor, to whom King Edward was godfather, and who died in 1909 at the ago of five; and Lady' Mary Constance Grosvenor, horn in 1910.

During the early part of the war the Duchess served as a volunteer with the lied Cross in the field, and she had the supervision and lav control of the base hospital at Etaplos. For her services there she was mentioned in dispatches. The Duchess took up her nursing work at the front very enthusiastically, and her hospital at Le Touquet was admirably managed. ‘ The Duke rendered valuable services in lire field and at Home during the war, gaining the D.S.O. and being mentioned in dispatches in 191 C. In South Africa lie was also mentioned in dispatches. He owns over 30,000 acres in Cheshire, Flintshire and London.