Elizabeth Cavendish
Noblewoman; British courtier;
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.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
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
· 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.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:14 UTC