Angela Estree Lyssod D'Arcy Dowding

Angela Estree Lyssod D'Arcy Dowding (April 20, 1919 - February 28, 2008), later Angela Lascelles was a British actress, and a minor member of the British Royal Family. She was the first wife of The Honourable Gerald Lascelles, the second son of Princess Mary, the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood.

Birth and career

Angela was born in London, and later studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She starred in Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit in the West End, and the film Miss London Limited.

Marriage

In July 1952, she married Gerald Lascelles,the second son of Princess Mary, the Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood. Gerald was a grandson of King George V, and a cousin of HM The Queen. At the time of their marriage, Gerald was 12th in the line of succession to the British throne. As the son of an Earl, he held the style "The Honourable", and Angela became "The Honourable Angela Lascelles".

The marriage took place at St. Margaret's, Westminster, with the Royal Family in attendance. However, the Queen did not attend due to a last minute cold. This was seen in the press to be a snub for the couple due to Angela's low birth. The reception took place at St James's Palace, which Queen Mary, Gerald's grandmother, attended.

Together they had one child, Henry Ulick Lascelles.

Fort Belvedere

In 1955, the Lascelles moved to Fort Belvedere, Surrey, the former country home of Gerald's uncle, King Edward VIII (the Duke of Windsor).

Divorce

Angela and Gerald divorced in 1978, and Gerald later married Elizabeth Colvin (née Collingwood).

Angela continued to live in Windsor Great Park, and had good relations with the Royal Family. The Queen continued to invite Angela to the Royal Enclosure at Ascot.

ources

* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1545200/Angela-Lascelles.html Telegraph- Angela Lascelles]