Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland

Winifred Anna Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland (née Dallas-Yorke; 7 September 1863 – 30 July 1954) was a British humanitarian and animal welfare activist.

Background Born at Murthly Castle, Perthshire, she was the only daughter of Thomas Yorke Dallas-Yorke, (1826 – 25 November 1924), of Walmsgate, Lincolnshire, and Frances (née Graham).

She served as a canopy bearer to Queen Alexandra at the 1902 coronation of King Edward VII, and was Mistress of the Robes from 1913 until Alexandra's death in 1925.

The Duchess was a Justice of the Peace for Nottinghamshire when based at the family seat Welbeck Abbey.

Marriage and issue

Winifred married William John Arthur James Cavendish-Bentinck on 11 June 1889. They had three children: Lady Victoria Alexandrina Violet Cavendish-Bentinck (27 February 1890 – 8 May 1994); christened at Windsor Castle with Queen Victoria as her godmother; she was the Queen's last surviving godchild. She married Captain Michael Erskine-Wemyss and had issue. William Arthur Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland (1893–1977); he married Ivy Gordon-Lennox and had issue. Lord Francis Morven Dallas Cavendish-Bentinck (27 July 1900 – 22 August 1950)

Winifred Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland, was interred at the traditional burial place of the Dukes of Portland in the churchyard of St Winifred's Church at Holbeck.

Animal welfare

The Duchess of Portland was a passionate animal lover, who kept stables for old horses and ponies, as well as dogs needing homes. She was vice-president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and was president of the ladies committee of the RSPCA. She was elected as the third President of the Nottinghamshire Beekeepers' Association in 1907. The Duchess was a patron of Our Dumb Friends' League Horse Ambulance Fund. She was a patron of the Church Society for the Promotion of Kindness to Animals.

The Duchess became a vegetarian in the early 1900s. Her daughter was also a vegetarian. Her diet consisted of vegetables, biscuits, butter, cheese, skimmed milk, lettuce and eggs. She was a member of the Vegetarian Society. In 1913, the Duchess commented "I never drink tea, I have never touched wine of any sort and I am absolutely a vegetarian".

Social reform In 1889, she persuaded the duke to use a large portion of his horseracing winnings to build almshouses at Welbeck, which he named "The Winnings".

Honours In honour of her support, the Nottinghamshire Miners' Welfare Association petitioned the king on her behalf; and in 1935 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) on his silver jubilee. and the Portland sapphire tiara.

The Portland diamond tiara, which was specially made for Edward VII's coronation, was stolen in November 2018.