Lady Anne Culling Smith

Lady Anne Culling Smith (née Wellesley, previously FitzRoy) was born on 13 March 1768 and died on 16 December 1844. She was part of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy and a sibling of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Her parents were the 1st Earl of Mornington and Anne Wellesley, Countess of Mornington, herself the daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, 1st Viscount Dungannon.

On 7 January 1790, she married the Honorable Henry FitzRoy, the son of Charles FitzRoy, 1st Baron Southampton. The couple had two daughters: Georgiana Frederica FitzRoy, born 3 October 1792, and Anne Caroline FitzRoy, who died on 16 December 1835. Georgiana married Henry Somerset, Marquess of Worcester, on 25 July 1814, and they had two daughters.

Henry FitzRoy died in Lisbon on 19 March 1794, due to consumption. Following his death, Lady Anne's brother, Henry, traveled to Lisbon to bring her back to England. On their voyage, their ship was captured by a French frigate, and both siblings were taken prisoner. Lady Anne was released from captivity in January 1795.

On 2 August 1799, she remarried Charles Culling Smith. They had two children: Emily Frances Culling Smith and Frederick William Culling Smith. Emily Frances, born 3 March 1800, married her half-sister Georgiana's widower, Lord Worcester, on 29 June 1822. He succeeded his father as the 7th Duke of Beaufort. Emily Frances was created Duchess of Beaufort on 23 November 1835. They had one son and six daughters.

Frederick William Culling Smith, who was a godson of the Duke of York, held various military ranks and appointments. He was appointed a Page of Honour on 13 March 1812, became a Cornet in the 2nd Dragoon Guards on 22 April 1819, transferred as an Ensign to the Coldstream Guards on 18 January 1820, and reached the rank of Lieutenant before becoming a Captain in the Royal Horse Guards on 2 January 1823. On 1 August 1826, he was promoted to Major of Infantry on the unattached list and joined the 80th Regiment of Foot on 17 January 1828. He died in Malta later that year at the age of twenty-six.

Lady Georgiana Frederica FitzRoy's marriage to Lord Worcester connected her to the Wellington family. Her death in 1821, described as occurring in great pain, was a significant event for the Duke of Wellington, who was described as being greatly affected by her loss. Her sister Emily Frances's marriage to Lord Worcester was viewed with displeasure by the Duke, leading to a strained relationship with her after the marriage.

Lady Anne Culling Smith died at Hampton Court on 16 December 1844.