Louisa McDonnell, Countess Of Antrim

Louisa Jane McDonnell, Countess of Antrim, VA (née Grey; 15 February 1855 – 2 April 1949), was a British noblewoman and courtier. She was born at St James's Palace to General Hon. Charles Grey and Caroline Eliza née Farquhar. Her father, Charles Grey, was a son of the 2nd Earl Grey and served as Private Secretary to Prince Albert. Her mother, Caroline Eliza Farquhar, was the daughter of Sir Thomas Harvie Farquhar.

Lady Antrim had one brother, Albert Grey, who became the 4th Earl Grey. She also had three sisters: Sybil, who became the Duchess of St Albans and was married to the 10th Duke of St Albans; Lady Victoria Dawnay, who was married to Lewis Payn Dawnay; and Mary, who became the Countess of Minto.

In 1875, she married Randal Mark Kerr McDonnell, the 6th Earl of Antrim, at the Chapel Royal in St. James’s Palace. The couple had three children: Lady Sybil Mary McDonnell, born on 26 March 1876 and deceased on 16 April 1959, who married Vivian Smith, 1st Baron Bicester; Randal Mark Kerr McDonnell, who became the 7th Earl of Antrim, born on 10 December 1878 and died on 15 June 1932; and Hon. Angus McDonnell, born on 7 June 1881 and deceased on 22 April 1966.

Lady Antrim served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1890 until the monarch’s death in January 1901. After the accession of Queen Alexandra, she was reappointed to the position in February 1901 and served until King Edward VII’s death in 1910. In her role as a lady of the court, she often accompanied the Queen on official engagements and participated in scheduled duty periods, including serving in waiting at royal residences.

In April 1900, she accompanied Queen Victoria on her visit to Ireland, the first such visit since 1861. Lady Antrim passed away in London in 1949 at the age of 94.