Lavinia Fitzalan-Howard, Duchess Of Norfolk

Lavinia Mary Fitzalan-Howard, Duchess of Norfolk (originally Lavinia Mary Strutt), was born on March 22, 1916, and died on December 10, 1995. She was a member of the British nobility with notable involvement in charitable activities and public life.

Her parents were Algernon Strutt, 3rd Baron Belper, and his wife, Eva. Lavinia was educated at Abbot's Hill School. She married Bernard Fitzalan-Howard, the 16th Duke of Norfolk, on January 27, 1937, at the Brompton Oratory. She did not convert to Roman Catholicism, which was the religion of her husband. The marriage resulted in four daughters, with only the youngest having children: Lady Anne Fitzalan-Howard (1938–2014), who married Colin Cowdrey, Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge; Lady Mary Fitzalan-Howard (1940–2017), who married Anthony Mumford; Lady Sarah Fitzalan-Howard (1941–2015), who married Nigel Clutton; and Lady Jane Fitzalan-Howard (b. 1945), who married Michael Kerr, 13th Marquess of Lothian.

In 1937, during the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Duchess of Norfolk was among four duchesses who held the canopy over Queen Elizabeth during her anointing. In 1953, she participated in dress rehearsals for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, portraying Queen Elizabeth II for practice. The Duke of Norfolk was the hereditary Earl Marshal and responsible for organizing coronations and other significant state events.

The Duchess engaged actively with charity work and was recognized with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1971. She was a trailblazer for women in several roles, including becoming the first woman Lord Lieutenant of West Sussex in 1975, succeeding her late husband in this position. That same year, she became the first woman steward of Goodwood and was also the first non-royal Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter.

She served as the president of the Riding for the Disabled Association before relinquishing the role to Princess Anne in 1986. In sports, she was known for her involvement in cricket, with a traditional match at Arundel Castle featuring her name, known as Lavinia, Duchess of Norfolk's XI. After her husband's death in 1975, the cricket match continued under her name until her own death in 1995.

The Duchess was also an owner of racehorses, with notable winners including Moon Madness, Sheriff’s Star, and Lucky Moon, the latter achieving success in the Goodwood Cup.

Her heraldic arms are documented, although specific details are not provided here.