Arthur Wellesley, Marquess of Douro

Arthur Charles Valerian Wellesley, Marquess of Douro OBE, (born August 19, 1945) is the son and heir of Arthur Valerian Wellesley, 8th Duke of Wellington and his wife, Diana McConnel. He was born as Earl of Mornington in 1945, at Princess Christian Nursing Home, Windsor, Berkshire. He has three younger brothers and one younger sister.

Education

The Marquess was born in Windsor and educated at Eton College and later at Christ Church, Oxford.

Marriage

He married Princess Antonia of Prussia (who no longer uses her royal title) on 3 February 1977 at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, London. They have five children:

*Arthur Gerald Wellesley, Earl of Mornington (b. 31 January 1978) who is married as of 4 June 2005 to the former Jemma Kidd, a fashion stylist and great-granddaughter of Lord Beaverbrook.
*Lady Honor Victoria Wellesley (b. 25 October 1979) who is married (as his second wife) to the Honourable Orlando Montagu, younger son of the Earl of Sandwich and has a son Walter (b. 3 December 2005). Walter Montagu is the first grandchild for the Marquess and Marchioness of Douro. They also have a daughter (b. January 2007) called Nancy Jemima
*Lady Mary Luise Wellesley (b. 16 December 1986)
*Lady Charlotte Anne Wellesley (b. 8 October 1990) who attends Wycombe Abbey
*Lord Frederick Charles Wellesley (b. 30 September 1992)

Charity

Lord Douro has worked for a number of non profit or charitable organisations. He was a patron of British Art at the Tate Gallery (1987-1990), a member of the Royal College of Art between (1992-97), Chair of British-Spanish Tertulias (1993-98) and Trustee of the Phoenix Trust from 1996- 2001). He was appointed a Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire in 1999. In 2003 he was given a four year appointment as a Commissioner for English Heritage

He received an OBE in 1999 for services to British-Spanish business relations.

He is presently Chairman of the Governing Council of King's College London, an institution that his ancestor Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington was largely instrumental in the foundation of. He took the chair on 1st October 2007.

Business career

*Deputy Chairman of Thames Valley Broadcasting Ltd between 1975 and 1984.
*Director of Antofagasta and Bolivia Railway Company Ltd between 1977 and 1980.
*Councillor for Basingstoke Borough Council between 1978 and 1979.
*Director of Eucalyptus Pulp Mills Ltd between 1979 and 1988.
*Director of Transatlantic Holdings plc between 1983 and 1996.
*Director of Global Asset Management Worldwide Inc between 1984 and 1999.
*Deputy Chairman of Deltec Panamerica SA between 1985 and 1989.
*Chairman of Deltec Securities (UK) Ltd between 1986 and 1989.
*Director of Continental and Industrial Trust plc between 1987 and 1990.
*Deputy Chairman of Guinness Mahon Holdings Ltd between 1988 and 1991.
*Director of Sun Life Corp Ltd between 1988 and 1996.
*Director of Rothmans International Ltd between 1990 and 1993.
*Chairman of Dunhill Holdings Ltd between 1991 and 1993.
*Deputy Chairman of Vendôme Luxury Group plc between 1993 and 1999.
*Chairman of Framlington Group Ltd between 1994 and 1999.
*Chairman of Sun Life & Provincial Holdings plc in 1996.
*Director of Pernod Ricard, SA

References

* [http://www.thepeerage.com The Peerage website]

External links

* [http://www.dwr.org.uk/ Duke of Wellington's Regiment - West Riding]