THE death has been announced today of Elizabeth, the Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry – just days before her husband will take part in King Charles III’s coronation.
The Duke of Buccleuch and his family released a statement expressing their ‘great sadness’ at her passing on Sunday morning after a short illness following an operation. She was 68.
Paying tribute, Benny Higgins, executive chairman of Buccleuch, said: “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.”
Elizabeth, nee Kerr, was born in Derbyshire in 1954 and educated at the London School of Economics, gaining a BSc in sociology.
Always interested in the arts, the Duchess worked for BBC Radio 4’s Kaleidoscope programme and then, after her marriage, she moved to the newly established local BBC radio station, Radio Solway, in Dumfriesshire.
She was the inspirer and founder of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction, which is one of the leading literary awards in the UK and for which she was a judge. The Duchess was also involved in many cultural organisations, as chairman of Scottish Ballet and the Heritage Education Trust, as a trustee of the National Museums of Scotland and subsequently a trustee of the British Museum.
She leaves her husband, Richard Scott, four children and 11 grandchildren.
There will be a private family funeral service in the Borders and a service to celebrate her life too.
Meanwhile, as the High Steward of Westminster Abbey, the Duke is set to take a leading role in this weekend’s coronation.
Buckingham Palace has announced that he will be carrying His Majesty’s regalia, specifically the Sceptre with Cross, during Saturday’s royal service.
