Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, was a British socialite and philanthropist born in 1861 in London. She was known for her beauty, fashionable style, and involvement in socialist causes, as well as her passionate affair with the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII.
Early Life and Marriage
Daisy was the daughter of Col. Charles Maynard and Blanche FitzRoy, and her mother was descended from King Charles II through his mistresses. Daisy inherited her grandfather’s estates and fortune, including Easton Lodge in Essex, which made her a desirable bride. She married Francis Greville, Lord Brooke (later Earl of Warwick), but their marriage was unhappy, and Daisy had multiple affairs.
Relationship with the Prince of Wales
Daisy’s affair with the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, lasted from 1889 to 1898. She was a favorite of his and entertained him and his entourage lavishly. Daisy became involved in the Marlborough House set, a group of aristocrats who were close to the Prince of Wales, and began having affairs with several powerful men.
Philanthropic Efforts
Daisy’s philanthropic efforts focused on education, housing, employment, and living standards for women. She established colleges for the education of women in agriculture and market gardening, first in Reading, then in Studley, and created a needlework school and employment scheme in Essex. Daisy also used her ancestral homes, such as Warwick Castle and Easton Lodge, to host events and schemes for the benefit of her tenants and workers.
Gardening and Memoirs
Daisy had a passion for gardening and created and enhanced the gardens at Warwick Castle and Easton Lodge. Her memoirs, “Life’s Ebb and Flow,” published in 1929, are considered an authentic account of Edwardian aristocratic society.
Personal Life and Controversies
Daisy had a passionate affair with Lord Charles Beresford, which led to a dispute and the acquisition of the epithet “Babbling Brooke.” She was also outraged to learn of Lady Charles Beresford’s pregnancy during this time.
Legacy and Biographies
Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, is remembered as a captivating socialite and philanthropist who used her wealth and influence to benefit those less fortunate. Her life has been the subject of several biographies, including “Daisy: The Life and Loves of the Countess of Warwick” by Sushila Anand, “My Darling Daisy” by Theo Lang, and “The Countess of Warwick” by Margaret Blunden.
References:
– Wikipedia – Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick
– Royal Collection Trust – Frances Evelyn ‘Daisy’ Greville, Countess of Warwick (1861-1938)
– Unofficial Royalty – Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick, Mistress of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom