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Elizabeth Cavendish

1926 – 2018

Noblewoman; British courtier;

Lady-in-waiting Aristocrat Princess Margaret
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About Elizabeth Cavendish

Lived 1926 – 2018 (aged 92). Elizabeth Cavendish was a British lady-in-waiting, aristocrat, princess Margaret and countess of Snowdon.

Lady Elizabeth Georgiana Alice Cavendish (24 April 1926 – 15 September 2018) was a British noblewoman who was a childhood friend of Queen Elizabeth II and a lady-in-waiting to Princess Margaret from the late 1940s until the latter's death in 2002.

Lady Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire, and his wife, the former Lady Mary Gascoyne-Cecil. She was born three days after Elizabeth (II), in 1926.

It has been suggested that Lady Elizabeth introduced her friend Princess Margaret to Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1951, and although she herself never married, she did form a close romantic relationship with the writer and future poet laureate John Betjeman that same year. Betjeman's daughter Candida Lycett Green had called her her father's "beloved other wife". Lady Elizabeth was one of the godparents of David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon. By royal permission, Lady Elizabeth spoke on the record to Elizabeth II’s official biographer, Ben Pimlott.

When Betjeman died in Cornwall on 19 May 1984, Lady Elizabeth was at his side.

Cavendish was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in 1976 and Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1997.

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Important facts

Birth century
Awards
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order; Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order
Also known as
Lady Elizabeth Georgiana Alice Cavendish, Elizabeth Georgiana Alice Cavendish

Family & relationships

Partner
John Betjeman
Parent
Edward Cavendish, 10th Duke of Devonshire
Parent
Mary Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire

People in Elizabeth Cavendish's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Elizabeth Cavendish's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Elizabeth Cavendish?

noblewoman; British courtier; (1926-2018)

When was Elizabeth Cavendish born?

Elizabeth Cavendish was born on 24 April 1926 in England.

When did Elizabeth Cavendish die?

Elizabeth Cavendish died on 15 September 2018.

What was Elizabeth Cavendish's occupation?

Elizabeth Cavendish was a lady-in-waiting, aristocrat, princess Margaret and countess of Snowdon.

What nationality was Elizabeth Cavendish?

Elizabeth Cavendish was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Elizabeth Cavendish

· Wikidata: Q6470121

· DBpedia: Lady Elizabeth Cavendish

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Elizabeth Cavendish. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-cavendish/

MLA: "Elizabeth Cavendish." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/elizabeth-cavendish/.

Chicago: "Elizabeth Cavendish." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-cavendish/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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