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Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn

1905 – 1990

Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

Mistress of the Robes
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About Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn

Lived 1905 – 1990 (aged 84). Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was a British mistress of the Robes.

Katherine Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn, (born Hon. Mary Katherine Crichton; 8 July 1905 – 2 February 1990) was a British aristocrat and courtier who served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother from 1964 until her death in 1990.

The Duchess was the elder of the two surviving children born to Henry Crichton, Viscount Crichton, son of John Crichton, 4th Earl Erne, and Lady Mary Cavendish Grosvenor, daughter of Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster.

The Duchess was married in St Martin-in-the-Fields, on 9 February 1928, to James Hamilton (at that time Marquess of Hamilton), who succeeded his father as 4th Duke of Abercorn in 1953. King George V was present at the wedding ceremony.

She was invested as a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1969. In 1982 she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the order. In July 1980, the University of Ulster at Jordanstown gave her an honorary degree.

The Duchess died 2 February 1990.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Mistress of the Robes
Awards
Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order; Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Also known as
Mary Kathleen Crichton, Hon. Mary Kathleen Crichton, Hon. Kathleen Crichton, Kathleen Crichton

Family & relationships

Spouse
James Hamilton, 4th Duke of Abercorn
Child
James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn

People in Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn?

Mistress of the Robes to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

When was Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn born?

Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was born on 8 July 1905 in Paddington.

When did Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn die?

Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn died on 2 February 1990 in Baronscourt, Newtownstewart, Northern Ireland.

What was Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn's occupation?

Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was a mistress of the Robes.

What nationality was Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn?

Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn

· Wikidata: Q6376736

· DBpedia: Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn. https://biography.guide/kathleen-hamilton-duchess-of-abercorn/

MLA: "Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kathleen-hamilton-duchess-of-abercorn/.

Chicago: "Kathleen Hamilton, Duchess of Abercorn." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kathleen-hamilton-duchess-of-abercorn/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-30 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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