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She is not the first non-aristocratic Duchess of Northumberland- the wife of the 6th Duke was the daughter of a banker, and the wife of the 2nd Duke was the daughter of a barrister.
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{{Short description|British noblewoman}}
{{Short description|British noblewoman (born 1958)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[Grace (style)|Her Grace]]
| honorific-prefix = [[Grace (style)|Her Grace]]
| name = The Duchess of Northumberland
| name = The Duchess of Northumberland
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=|DCVO}}
| image =Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy.jpg
| image = Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy.jpg
| caption =The Duchess officiating at a [[Battle of Britain]] parade in [[Alnwick]], September 2018
| caption = The Duchess officiating at a [[Battle of Britain]] parade in [[Alnwick]], September 2018
| birth_name= Isobel Jane Miller Richard
| birth_name = Isobel Jane Miller Richard
| birth_date= {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|5|11}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1958|5|11}}
| birth_place= [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], Scotland
| nationality= British
| nationality = British
| title=[[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]]
| title = [[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]]
| monarch=[[Elizabeth II]]<br>[[Charles III]]
| monarch = [[Elizabeth II]]<br>[[Charles III]]
| term_start = 12 May 2009
| predecessor = [[Sir John Riddell, 13th Baronet|Sir John Riddell]]
| term_start = 12 May 2009
| predecessor = [[Sir John Riddell, 13th Baronet|Sir John Riddell]]
| seat= [[Alnwick Castle]]
| seat = [[Alnwick Castle]]
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland]]|1979}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland]]|1979}}
| blank1 = Net worth
| blank1 = Net worth
| data1 = {{gain}}£315 million<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="cage"/>
| data1 = {{gain}}£315 million<ref name="Telegraph"/><ref name="cage"/>
| children = [[Lady Katie Percy]]<br />[[George Percy, Earl Percy]]<br />[[Lady Melissa Percy]]<br />[[Lord Max Percy]]
| children = [[Lady Katie Percy]]<br />[[George Percy, Earl Percy]]<br />[[Lady Melissa Percy]]<br />[[Lord Max Percy]]
| parents = John Richard<br />Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn
| parents = John Richard<br />Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn
| term_end = 1 May 2024
| successor = [[Dr Caroline Pryer]]
}}
}}


'''Isobel Jane Miller Percy, Duchess of Northumberland''' (née '''Richard'''; born 11 May 1958), is a British aristocrat and businesswoman. She has served as [[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]] since 2009, and is best known for redeveloping [[The Alnwick Garden]] at [[Alnwick Castle]]. She is the first woman to serve as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. Her husband, [[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland|Ralph]], is the 12th [[Duke of Northumberland]].
'''Isobel Jane Miller Percy, Duchess of Northumberland''', {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|sep=,|DCVO}} (née '''Richard'''; born 11 May 1958), is a British aristocrat and businesswoman. She served as [[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]] from 2009 to 2024, and is best known for redeveloping the [[Alnwick Garden]] at [[Alnwick Castle]]. She was the first woman to serve as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. Her husband, [[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland|Ralph]], is the 12th [[Duke of Northumberland]].


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Jane Richard was born in [[Edinburgh]] in 1958.<ref name="scotsman1"/> She is one of four children of the stockbroker John Richard (1933–2003), as well as sororal grandniece of [[Max Woosnam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tennis, golf, cricket, snooker, football – is there anything this man couldn't do?|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/tennis-golf-cricket-snooker-football-is-there-anything-this-man-couldn-t-do-1-4020611|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=Northumberland Gazette|date=3 December 2011}}</ref> Her mother, Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn (née Scott),<ref name="herald">{{cite news|last=Martine|first=Roddy|title=The Duke of Northumberland|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/the-duke-of-northumberland-1.653279|accessdate=25 November 2012|newspaper=The Herald|date=2 November 1995}}</ref> is the owner of [[Kailzie Gardens]], an income-generating family garden located in the [[Scottish Borders]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Her parents divorced in the early 1970s and both remarried; her stepmother Christine was a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] group leader on the [[City of Edinburgh Council]],<ref name="independent">{{cite news|title=Tory leader made nuisance calls to husband's ex-wife|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/tory-leader-made-nuisance-calls-to-husbands-exwife-1565115.html|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 December 1992}}</ref><ref name="scotsman">{{cite news|title=John Richard|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/john-richard-1-664827|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 September 2003}}</ref> while her stepfather was [[Buchan-Hepburn baronets|Sir Ninian Buchan-Hepburn, 6th Baronet]] (1922–1992).
Jane Richard was born in [[Edinburgh]] in 1958.<ref name="scotsman1"/> She is one of four children of the stockbroker John Richard (1933–2003), as well as sororal grandniece of the all-round sportsman [[Max Woosnam]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Tennis, golf, cricket, snooker, football – is there anything this man couldn't do?|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/tennis-golf-cricket-snooker-football-is-there-anything-this-man-couldn-t-do-1-4020611|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=Northumberland Gazette|date=3 December 2011}}</ref> Her mother, Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn (née Scott),<ref name="herald">{{cite news|last=Martine|first=Roddy|title=The Duke of Northumberland|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/the-duke-of-northumberland-1.653279|accessdate=25 November 2012|newspaper=The Herald|date=2 November 1995}}</ref> is the owner of [[Kailzie Gardens]], an income-generating family garden located in the [[Scottish Borders]].{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} Her parents divorced in the early 1970s and both remarried; her stepmother Christine was a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] group leader on the [[City of Edinburgh Council]],<ref name="independent">{{cite news|title=Tory leader made nuisance calls to husband's ex-wife|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/tory-leader-made-nuisance-calls-to-husbands-exwife-1565115.html|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=23 December 1992}}</ref><ref name="scotsman">{{cite news|title=John Richard|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/john-richard-1-664827|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=The Independent|date=11 September 2003}}</ref> while her stepfather was [[Buchan-Hepburn baronets|Sir Ninian Buchan-Hepburn, 6th Baronet]] (1922–1992).


As a child, Jane Richard helped her mother maintain Kailzie Gardens<ref name="barber"/> and aspired to become a champion figure-skater, practicing for the Scottish Junior Championships at [[Murrayfield Ice Rink]]. She quit when she was 13 and was enrolled at [[Cobham Hall]] in Kent.<ref name="scotsman1">{{cite news|title=Welcome to the garden|url=http://www.scotsman.com/emarket/property-news/welcome-to-the-garden-1-1418372|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=Scotsman|date=8 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="warren">{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Jane|title=A rather daring Duchess|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/273759/A-rather-daring-Duchess|accessdate=23 September 2012|newspaper=Daily Express|date=26 September 2011}}</ref>
As a child, Jane Richard helped her mother maintain Kailzie Gardens<ref name="barber">{{cite news|last=Barber|first=Lynne|title=Gardener's question time|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2003/aug/03/features.magazine37|accessdate=4 October 2012|newspaper=The Observer|date=3 August 2003}}</ref> and aspired to become a champion figure-skater, practicing for the Scottish Junior Championships at [[Murrayfield Ice Rink]]. She quit when she was 13 and was enrolled at [[Cobham Hall School]] in Kent.<ref name="scotsman1">{{cite news|title=Welcome to the garden|url=http://www.scotsman.com/emarket/property-news/welcome-to-the-garden-1-1418372|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=Scotsman|date=8 April 2007}}</ref><ref name="warren">{{cite news|last=Warren|first=Jane|title=A rather daring Duchess|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/273759/A-rather-daring-Duchess|accessdate=23 September 2012|newspaper=Daily Express|date=26 September 2011}}</ref>


==Marriage==
==Marriage==
At the age of 16, Jane Richard met the 17-year-old [[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland|Lord Ralph Percy]] at his cousin's birthday party,<ref name="dent"/> and later followed him to [[Oxford]], where he attended the [[University of Oxford]], and she took a secretarial course. They married on 21 July 1979 at [[Traquair]] Parish Church,{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} despite being deemed too young by their parents.<ref name="barber"/> The pair have four children:
At the age of 16, Jane Richard met the 17-year-old [[Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of Northumberland|Lord Ralph Percy]] at his cousin's birthday party,<ref name="dent"/> and later followed him to [[Oxford]], where he attended [[Christ Church, Oxford]] at the [[University of Oxford]], and she took a secretarial course. They married on 21 July 1979 at [[Traquair]] Parish Church, despite being deemed too young by their parents.<ref name="barber"/> The pair have four children: [[Lady Katie Percy|Katie]] (b. 23 June 1982), a gun-maker, motorcycle mechanic and racing driver;<ref name="dent"/><ref name="eden">{{cite news|last=Eden|first=Richard|title=Hogwarts wedding for the Duke of Northumberland's daughter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/7753973/Hogwarts-wedding-for-the-Duke-of-Northumberlands-daughter.html|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=22 May 2010}}</ref>
[[George Percy, Earl Percy|George]] (b. 4 May 1984), the [[heir apparent]] to the dukedom; [[Lady Melissa Percy|Melissa]] (b. 20 May 1987), a fashion designer and former professional tennis player; and [[Lord Max Percy|Max]] (b. 26 May 1990), an investment analyst.<ref>{{cite web|title=Verliebt in Schottland, verheiratet in Dornstadt|date=17 July 2017 |url=http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/Verliebt-in-Schottland-verheiratet-in-Dornstadt-id42089291.html|publisher=Augsburger Allgemeine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillan|first=Tony|title=Duke and Duchess of Northumberland celebrate birth of their first grandchild|url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/duke-and-duchess-northumberland-celebrate-birth-their-first-grandchild-488870|date=2019-08-07|access-date=2021-03-12|website=www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>


The couple lived in a farmhouse in Northumberland until 1995, when Lord Ralph's brother [[Henry Percy, 11th Duke of Northumberland|Henry, 11th Duke of Northumberland]], died from heart failure after an overdose of amphetamines, and Ralph succeeded to the [[Duke of Northumberland|dukedom]]. As old family friends, the Duke and Duchess [[List of wedding guests of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|attended]] the [[wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton]].<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last1=Nikkhah|first1=Roya|last2=Mendick|first2=Robert|title=Royal wedding: William and Kate's inner circle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8500132/Royal-wedding-William-and-Kates-inner-circle.html|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 May 2011}}</ref>
* [[Lady Katie Percy|Lady Catherine Sarah "Katie" Percy]] (b. 23 June 1982), a gun-maker, motorcycle mechanic and racing driver;<ref name="dent"/><ref name="eden">{{cite news|last=Eden|first=Richard|title=Hogwarts wedding for the Duke of Northumberland's daughter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/harry-potter/7753973/Hogwarts-wedding-for-the-Duke-of-Northumberlands-daughter.html|accessdate=8 November 2012|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=22 May 2010}}</ref> married Patrick Valentine on 26 February 2011. The couple had no children and separated in late 2013 before divorcing in 2014.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/ps-the-new-woman-in-mark-carnegies-life-20150813-giy3d4.html| title = PS: The new woman in Mark Carnegie's life| last = Hornery| first = Andrew| date = 13 August 2015| website = Sydney Morning Herald| publisher = Fairfax Media| access-date = 29 November 2018}}</ref>
* [[George Percy, Earl Percy|George Dominic Percy, Earl Percy]] (b. 4 May 1984); [[heir apparent]] to the dukedom and managing director of energy company Cluff Geothermal with [[Paul Younger (engineer)|Paul Younger]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Cluff Geothermal: the team|url=http://www.cluffgeothermal.com/the-team/george-percy|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116182556/http://www.cluffgeothermal.com/the-team/george-percy|archive-date=16 November 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Lady Melissa Percy|Lady Melissa Jane Percy]] (b. 20 May 1987); a fashion designer and former professional tennis player, she married [[Thomas van Straubenzee]], an estate agent and schoolfriend of Princes [[William, Prince of Wales|William]] and [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex|Harry]], on 22 June 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mr T. van Straubenzee and Lady Melissa Percy|url=http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/engagements/156090/mr-t.-van-straubenzee-and-lady-melissa-percy|access-date=7 November 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Tim|title=Prince Harry's best friend to marry Harry Potter castle heiress|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9659503/Prince-Harrys-best-friend-to-marry-Harry-Potter-castle-heiress.html|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=7 November 2012}}</ref> Straubenzee is a godfather of [[Princess Charlotte of Wales (born 2015)|Princess Charlotte]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Princess Charlotte to be christened at Sandringham|date=5 July 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33399642|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The couple had no children and divorced on 2 March 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Duke of Northumberland's daughter gets divorced|url=http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update/2016-03-02/duke-of-northumberlands-daughter-gets-divorced/|publisher=ITV News}}</ref> Lady Melissa married for a second time on 19 December 2020 to American financier [[Remy W. Trafelet]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/marriages/announcements/keywords/trafelet| title = Telegraph Marriage Announcements| website = Telegraph| access-date = 6 March 2020}}</ref> The couple have one daughter <ref>{{cite web| url = http://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/births/announcements/keywords/trafelet| title = Telegraph Birth Announcements| website = Telegraph| access-date = 6 March 2020}}</ref> and twin sons together <ref>{{cite web| url = https://announcements.telegraph.co.uk/births/262800/trafleet| title = Telegraph Birth Announcements| website = Telegraph| access-date = 10 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.tatler.com/article/lady-melissa-percy-welcomes-twin-sons?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1MVzcLsaMOEw6RrPYncwpwJ9RgOEAnNV8sUr7eYIwagpY_B0L2EDcKE-c| title = Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland as their daughter, Lady Melissa, welcomes twin sons| website = Tatler| access-date = 10 March 2023}}</ref>, in addition to Trafelet's three children from his previous marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cope|first=Rebecca|title=The Duke of Northumberland's daughter, Lady Melissa Percy, has given birth to her first child|url=https://www.tatler.com/article/lady-melissa-percy-gives-birth-to-first-child|date=2020-02-25|access-date=2021-03-12|website=Tatler|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* [[Lord Max Ralph Percy]] (b. 26 May 1990);{{Citation needed|date=March 2020}} married [[Princess Nora zu Oettingen-Spielberg]], daughter of Prince Albrecht of Oettingen-Spielberg and Angela Jank, on 15 July 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Verliebt in Schottland, verheiratet in Dornstadt|url=http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/noerdlingen/Verliebt-in-Schottland-verheiratet-in-Dornstadt-id42089291.html|publisher=Augsburger Allgemeine}}</ref> at the Mariä Himmelfahrt Castle Chapel at [[Schloss Hirschbrunn]]. The couple have one daughter:
** Romy Jane Percy (born 31 July 2019, [[Munich]])<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gillan|first=Tony|title=Duke and Duchess of Northumberland celebrate birth of their first grandchild|url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/people/duke-and-duchess-northumberland-celebrate-birth-their-first-grandchild-488870|date=2019-08-07|access-date=2021-03-12|website=www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk|language=en}}</ref>

The couple lived in a farmhouse in Northumberland until 1995, when Lady Percy's brother-in-law [[Henry Percy, 11th Duke of Northumberland|Henry, 11th Duke of Northumberland]], died from heart failure after an overdose of amphetaminen and her husband succeeded to the [[Duke of Northumberland|dukedom]]. As old family friends, the Duke and Duchess [[List of wedding guests of Prince William and Catherine Middleton|attended]] the [[wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton]].<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news|last1=Nikkhah|first1=Roya|last2=Mendick|first2=Robert|title=Royal wedding: William and Kate's inner circle |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8500132/Royal-wedding-William-and-Kates-inner-circle.html|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 May 2011}}</ref>


==Entrepreneurship==
==Entrepreneurship==
[[File:The Cascade - geograph.org.uk - 32427.jpg|thumb|The cascade fountain in [[The Alnwick Garden]]]]
[[File:The Cascade - geograph.org.uk - 32427.jpg|thumb|upright=1.37|The cascade fountain in the [[Alnwick Garden]]]]
The Duchess was unhappy in her ducal role until her husband suggested that she should renovate [[The Alnwick Garden]], a large ornamental garden at the family seat, [[Alnwick Castle]].<ref name="dent"/> She started the work on the garden in 2000,<ref name="mason">{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Christopher|title=The Versailles of the North |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/garden/17northumberland.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=17 July 2008}}</ref> and turned it into one of [[North East England]]'s biggest visitor attractions,<ref name="dent"/> as well as one of the country's most controversial ones.<ref name="proctor"/> In 2003, the garden became a charitable trust separate from her husband's estate, with the Duchess as a fundraiser and one of six trustees.<ref name="barber"/><ref name="mason"/>
The Duchess was unhappy in her ducal role until her husband suggested that she should renovate the [[Alnwick Garden]], a large ornamental garden at the family seat, [[Alnwick Castle]].<ref name="dent"/> She started the work on the garden in 2000,<ref name="mason">{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Christopher|title=The Versailles of the North |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/17/garden/17northumberland.html?pagewanted=all|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=Chronicle Live|date=17 July 2008}}</ref> and turned it into one of [[North East England]]'s biggest visitor attractions,<ref name="dent"/> as well as one of the country's most controversial ones.<ref name="proctor"/> In 2003, the garden became a charitable trust separate from her husband's estate, with the Duchess as a fundraiser and one of six trustees.<ref name="barber"/><ref name="mason"/>

A practicing martial arts enthusiast, she introduced [[Mixed martial arts|cage boxing]] to the Alnwick Gardens and a range of cocktails named after her.<ref name="cage"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Duchess in big drinks mix-up|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/duchess-in-big-drinks-mix-up-1-4578775|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=Northumberland Gazette|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> The Duchess, who claims to defy tradition,<ref name="cage"/><ref name="barber"/><ref name="dent">{{cite news|last=Dent|first=Karen|title=The Duchess of Northumberland|url=http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/interviews-with-business-people/2010/03/08/the-duchess-of-northumberland-51140-25974403/|accessdate=10 October 2012|newspaper=NE Business|date=8 March 2010}}</ref> has received praise and scorn for the Alnwick Gardens, but has dismissed criticism as "the snobbery element of gardening".<ref name="barber"/> The locals welcomed the restoration and the influx of tourists,<ref name="kavanagh">{{cite news|last=Kavanagh|first=Marianne|title=Women in business: where women rule, UK|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/3355150/Women-in-business-where-women-rule-UK.html|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=NE Business|date=24 November 2007}}</ref> while [[English Heritage]] accused the Duchess of destroying one of the greatest gardens in England.<ref name="warren"/> In 2004, she was hospitalised after collapsing under pressure, and the criticism made her consider resigning the trusteeship and giving up on the project.<ref name="scotsman1"/>


In 2012, the Duchess announced her plan to finish reconstruction of the Alnwick Garden by May 2015. She has made arrangements enabling her then to step down from managing it and for the visitor attraction to be franchised out to an external management company.<ref name="proctor">{{cite news|last=Proctor|first=Kate|title=Up close and personal with Duchess of Northumberland|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/2012/10/13/up-close-and-personal-with-duchess-of-northumberland-61634-32022694/|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=13 October 2012|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421080456/http://www.journallive.co.uk/2012/10/13/up-close-and-personal-with-duchess-of-northumberland-61634-32022694/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She has also arranged for a series of books and titles to be brought out based on the Alnwick Castle archive covering aspects of the life and history of the [[House of Percy|Percy family]] estate.<ref name="journal">{{cite news|last=Black|first=David|title=Duchess of Northumberland agrees new clothing and book deals|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/10/25/duchess-of-northumberland-agrees-new-clothing-and-book-deals-61634-32101691/|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=25 October 2012|archive-date=21 April 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130421014011/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/10/25/duchess-of-northumberland-agrees-new-clothing-and-book-deals-61634-32101691/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
A practicing martial arts enthusiast, she introduced [[Mixed martial arts|cage boxing]] to The Alnwick Gardens and a range of cocktails named after her.<ref name="cage"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Duchess in big drinks mix-up|url=http://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/local-news/duchess-in-big-drinks-mix-up-1-4578775|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=Northumberland Gazette|date=24 May 2012}}</ref> The Duchess, who claims to defy tradition,<ref name="cage"/><ref name="barber"/><ref name="dent">{{cite news|last=Dent|first=Karen|title=The Duchess of Northumberland|url=http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/interviews-with-business-people/2010/03/08/the-duchess-of-northumberland-51140-25974403/|accessdate=10 October 2012|newspaper=NE Business|date=8 March 2010}}</ref> has received praise and scorn for The Alnwick Gardens, but has dismissed criticism as "the snobbery element of gardening".<ref name="barber"/> The locals welcomed the restoration and the influx of tourists,<ref name="kavanagh">{{cite news|last=Kavanagh|first=Marianne|title=Women in business: where women rule, UK|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/3355150/Women-in-business-where-women-rule-UK.html|accessdate=11 October 2012|newspaper=NE Business|date=24 November 2007}}</ref> while [[English Heritage]] accused the Duchess of destroying one of the greatest gardens in England.<ref name="warren"/> In 2004, she was hospitalised after collapsing under pressure, and the criticism made her consider resigning the trusteeship and giving up on the project.<ref name="scotsman1"/>


==Honours and honorific appointments==
In 2012, the Duchess announced her plan to finish reconstruction of The Alnwick Garden by May 2015. She has made arrangements enabling her then to step down from managing it and for the visitor attraction to be franchised out to an external management company.<ref name="proctor">{{cite news|last=Proctor|first=Kate|title=Up close and personal with Duchess of Northumberland|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/2012/10/13/up-close-and-personal-with-duchess-of-northumberland-61634-32022694/|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=13 October 2012}}</ref> She has also arranged for a series of books and titles to be brought out based on the Alnwick Castle archive covering aspects of the life and history of the Percy family estate.<ref name="journal">{{cite news|last=Black|first=David|title=Duchess of Northumberland agrees new clothing and book deals|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2012/10/25/duchess-of-northumberland-agrees-new-clothing-and-book-deals-61634-32101691/|accessdate=6 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=25 October 2012}}</ref>
On 12 May 2009, having been recommended by Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], she was appointed [[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]] by [[Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19266 |title=Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland |work=10 Downing Street website |date=12 May 2009 |accessdate=13 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090706064025/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19266 |archive-date= 6 July 2009 }}</ref> The post was once held by her father-in-law [[Hugh Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland|Hugh, 10th Duke]], and eleven other members of the [[Percy family]], but the Duchess is the first woman to receive this distinction.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=David|title=Duchess of Northumberland given a unique honour|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/05/19/duchess-of-northumberland-given-a-unique-honour-61634-23658144/|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=19 May 2009|archive-date=22 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122010938/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/05/19/duchess-of-northumberland-given-a-unique-honour-61634-23658144/|url-status=dead}}</ref> She was, in 2011, patron of 160 charities.<ref name="cage">{{cite news|last=Hollingshead|first=Iain|title=Cage fighting? At Alnwick Castle?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/periodproperty/8808634/Cage-fighting-At-Alnwick-Castle.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006095127/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/periodproperty/8808634/Cage-fighting-At-Alnwick-Castle.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2011|accessdate=10 October 2012|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=6 October 2011}}</ref> On 9 April 2024 it was announced she would step down from the Lord-lieutenancy with effect from 1 May 2024, being succeeded by Caroline Pryer, a retired headteacher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Appointment of the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland: 9 April 2024 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/appointment-of-the-lord-lieutenant-of-northumberland-9-april-2024 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>


In the [[2024 King's Birthday Honours]], she was appointed a [[Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order]] (DCVO) for her service as lord-lieutenant.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue= 64423 |date= 15 June 2024 |page= B4 |supp= y }}</ref>
==Lord-lieutenancy==
On 12 May 2009, having been recommended by Prime Minister [[Gordon Brown]], she was appointed [[Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland]] by [[Queen Elizabeth II]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19266 |title=Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland |work=10 Downing Street website |date=12 May 2009 |accessdate=13 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090706064025/http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page19266 |archive-date= 6 July 2009 }}</ref> The post was once held by her father-in-law [[Hugh Percy, 10th Duke of Northumberland|Hugh, 10th Duke]], and eleven other members of the [[Percy family]], but the Duchess is the first woman to receive this distinction.<ref>{{cite news|last=Black|first=David|title=Duchess of Northumberland given a unique honour|url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/05/19/duchess-of-northumberland-given-a-unique-honour-61634-23658144/|accessdate=11 November 2012|newspaper=The Journal|date=19 May 2009}}</ref> She was, in 2011, patron of 160 charities.<ref name="cage">{{cite news|last=Hollingshead|first=Iain|title=Cage fighting? At Alnwick Castle?|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/periodproperty/8808634/Cage-fighting-At-Alnwick-Castle.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006095127/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/periodproperty/8808634/Cage-fighting-At-Alnwick-Castle.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2011|accessdate=10 October 2012|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|date=6 October 2011}}</ref>


==Publications==
==Publications==
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[[Category:Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order]]

Latest revision as of 14:48, 30 September 2024

The Duchess of Northumberland
The Duchess officiating at a Battle of Britain parade in Alnwick, September 2018
Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland
In office
12 May 2009 – 1 May 2024
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
Preceded bySir John Riddell
Succeeded byDr Caroline Pryer
Personal details
Born
Isobel Jane Miller Richard

(1958-05-11) 11 May 1958 (age 66)
Edinburgh, Scotland
NationalityBritish
Spouse
ChildrenLady Katie Percy
George Percy, Earl Percy
Lady Melissa Percy
Lord Max Percy
Parent(s)John Richard
Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn
Net worthIncrease£315 million[1][2]

Isobel Jane Miller Percy, Duchess of Northumberland, DCVO (née Richard; born 11 May 1958), is a British aristocrat and businesswoman. She served as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland from 2009 to 2024, and is best known for redeveloping the Alnwick Garden at Alnwick Castle. She was the first woman to serve as Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland. Her husband, Ralph, is the 12th Duke of Northumberland.

Early life

[edit]

Jane Richard was born in Edinburgh in 1958.[3] She is one of four children of the stockbroker John Richard (1933–2003), as well as sororal grandniece of the all-round sportsman Max Woosnam.[4] Her mother, Angela, Lady Buchan-Hepburn (née Scott),[5] is the owner of Kailzie Gardens, an income-generating family garden located in the Scottish Borders.[citation needed] Her parents divorced in the early 1970s and both remarried; her stepmother Christine was a Conservative group leader on the City of Edinburgh Council,[6][7] while her stepfather was Sir Ninian Buchan-Hepburn, 6th Baronet (1922–1992).

As a child, Jane Richard helped her mother maintain Kailzie Gardens[8] and aspired to become a champion figure-skater, practicing for the Scottish Junior Championships at Murrayfield Ice Rink. She quit when she was 13 and was enrolled at Cobham Hall School in Kent.[3][9]

Marriage

[edit]

At the age of 16, Jane Richard met the 17-year-old Lord Ralph Percy at his cousin's birthday party,[10] and later followed him to Oxford, where he attended Christ Church, Oxford at the University of Oxford, and she took a secretarial course. They married on 21 July 1979 at Traquair Parish Church, despite being deemed too young by their parents.[8] The pair have four children: Katie (b. 23 June 1982), a gun-maker, motorcycle mechanic and racing driver;[10][11] George (b. 4 May 1984), the heir apparent to the dukedom; Melissa (b. 20 May 1987), a fashion designer and former professional tennis player; and Max (b. 26 May 1990), an investment analyst.[12][13]

The couple lived in a farmhouse in Northumberland until 1995, when Lord Ralph's brother Henry, 11th Duke of Northumberland, died from heart failure after an overdose of amphetamines, and Ralph succeeded to the dukedom. As old family friends, the Duke and Duchess attended the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.[1]

Entrepreneurship

[edit]
The cascade fountain in the Alnwick Garden

The Duchess was unhappy in her ducal role until her husband suggested that she should renovate the Alnwick Garden, a large ornamental garden at the family seat, Alnwick Castle.[10] She started the work on the garden in 2000,[14] and turned it into one of North East England's biggest visitor attractions,[10] as well as one of the country's most controversial ones.[15] In 2003, the garden became a charitable trust separate from her husband's estate, with the Duchess as a fundraiser and one of six trustees.[8][14]

A practicing martial arts enthusiast, she introduced cage boxing to the Alnwick Gardens and a range of cocktails named after her.[2][16] The Duchess, who claims to defy tradition,[2][8][10] has received praise and scorn for the Alnwick Gardens, but has dismissed criticism as "the snobbery element of gardening".[8] The locals welcomed the restoration and the influx of tourists,[17] while English Heritage accused the Duchess of destroying one of the greatest gardens in England.[9] In 2004, she was hospitalised after collapsing under pressure, and the criticism made her consider resigning the trusteeship and giving up on the project.[3]

In 2012, the Duchess announced her plan to finish reconstruction of the Alnwick Garden by May 2015. She has made arrangements enabling her then to step down from managing it and for the visitor attraction to be franchised out to an external management company.[15] She has also arranged for a series of books and titles to be brought out based on the Alnwick Castle archive covering aspects of the life and history of the Percy family estate.[18]

Honours and honorific appointments

[edit]

On 12 May 2009, having been recommended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, she was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland by Queen Elizabeth II.[19] The post was once held by her father-in-law Hugh, 10th Duke, and eleven other members of the Percy family, but the Duchess is the first woman to receive this distinction.[20] She was, in 2011, patron of 160 charities.[2] On 9 April 2024 it was announced she would step down from the Lord-lieutenancy with effect from 1 May 2024, being succeeded by Caroline Pryer, a retired headteacher.[21]

In the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO) for her service as lord-lieutenant.[22]

Publications

[edit]
  • The Poison Diaries, ISBN 978-0-00-736285-1
  • Alnwick Castle, The Home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland" (2012) by James McDonald, foreword by The Duchess of Northumberland, ISBN 978-0-7112-3237-2

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Nikkhah, Roya; Mendick, Robert (8 May 2011). "Royal wedding: William and Kate's inner circle". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d Hollingshead, Iain (6 October 2011). "Cage fighting? At Alnwick Castle?". Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  3. ^ a b c "Welcome to the garden". Scotsman. 8 April 2007. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  4. ^ "Tennis, golf, cricket, snooker, football – is there anything this man couldn't do?". Northumberland Gazette. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  5. ^ Martine, Roddy (2 November 1995). "The Duke of Northumberland". The Herald. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Tory leader made nuisance calls to husband's ex-wife". The Independent. 23 December 1992. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  7. ^ "John Richard". The Independent. 11 September 2003. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e Barber, Lynne (3 August 2003). "Gardener's question time". The Observer. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  9. ^ a b Warren, Jane (26 September 2011). "A rather daring Duchess". Daily Express. Retrieved 23 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e Dent, Karen (8 March 2010). "The Duchess of Northumberland". NE Business. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
  11. ^ Eden, Richard (22 May 2010). "Hogwarts wedding for the Duke of Northumberland's daughter". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  12. ^ "Verliebt in Schottland, verheiratet in Dornstadt". Augsburger Allgemeine. 17 July 2017.
  13. ^ Gillan, Tony (7 August 2019). "Duke and Duchess of Northumberland celebrate birth of their first grandchild". www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  14. ^ a b Mason, Christopher (17 July 2008). "The Versailles of the North". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  15. ^ a b Proctor, Kate (13 October 2012). "Up close and personal with Duchess of Northumberland". The Journal. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  16. ^ "Duchess in big drinks mix-up". Northumberland Gazette. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  17. ^ Kavanagh, Marianne (24 November 2007). "Women in business: where women rule, UK". NE Business. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  18. ^ Black, David (25 October 2012). "Duchess of Northumberland agrees new clothing and book deals". The Journal. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  19. ^ "Lord-Lieutenant for Northumberland". 10 Downing Street website. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 July 2009. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
  20. ^ Black, David (19 May 2009). "Duchess of Northumberland given a unique honour". The Journal. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2012.
  21. ^ "Appointment of the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland: 9 April 2024". GOV.UK. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  22. ^ "No. 64423". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 June 2024. p. B4.
[edit]
Honorary titles
Preceded by Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland
2009–2024
Succeeded by
Caroline Pryer
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
Preceded by Ladies Followed by