Caroline Campbell, Duchess Of Argyll

Caroline Campbell, Duchess of Argyll, born Lady Caroline Elizabeth Villiers on December 16, 1774, was a British noblewoman active during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She died on June 16, 1835, in Dumbarton, Scotland.

Early life

She was the third daughter of George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey, and Frances Twysden. Her father was a former Member of Parliament who became a courtier to King George III following his inheritance of the earldom. Her mother was known to be one of King George IV's mistresses. Her paternal grandparents were William Villiers, 3rd Earl of Jersey, and Anne Russell, Duchess of Bedford. Her maternal grandparents were The Rt Revd Dr Philip Twysden, Bishop of Raphoe, and Frances Carter, who later married General James Johnston.

Personal life

On July 5, 1795, in London, Lady Caroline married Henry Paget, then known as Lord Paget, who was a Member of Parliament for Carnarvon at the time. He was the eldest son of Henry Bayley-Paget, 1st Earl of Uxbridge, and Jane Champagné. The marriage produced eight children:

- Lady Caroline Paget (1796–1874), who married Charles Gordon-Lennox, 5th Duke of Richmond.

- Henry Paget, 2nd Marquess of Anglesey (1797–1869), married Eleanora Campbell.

- Lady Jane Paget (1798–1876), married Francis Conyngham, 2nd Marquess Conyngham.

- Lady Georgina Paget (1800–1875), married Edward Crofton, 2nd Baron Crofton.

- Lady Augusta Paget (1802–1872), married Arthur Chichester, 1st Baron Templemore.

- Captain Lord William Paget (1803–1873), married Frances de Rottenburg.

- Lady Agnes Paget (1804–1845), married George Byng, 2nd Earl of Strafford.

- Lord Arthur Paget (1805–1825).

A portrait painted by John Hoppner in 1800 depicts Caroline with her son Henry; this painting is held at Plas Newydd, now managed by the National Trust.

In 1810, prior to her husband's elevation to the peerage, Caroline and Henry Paget divorced, following his affair with Lady Charlotte Wellesley. Lady Charlotte's husband was Henry Wellesley, 1st Baron Cowley, brother to the Duke of Wellington. The separation was finalized through a divorce granted by Scottish courts in November 1810. Subsequently, Caroline sued for divorce.

Second marriage

Three weeks after her divorce, Caroline married George Campbell, 6th Duke of Argyll, at Canongate, Edinburgh. This was his only marriage, and they had no children. It is reputed that she expressed a high degree of happiness following her second marriage.

Death and descendants

Caroline Campbell died at the age of 60 and was interred at Kensal Green Cemetery in London. She is a direct ancestor of Diana, Princess of Wales, through her eldest daughter Caroline. Her descendants include William, Prince of Wales, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex.