New-York tribune., 1920-11-26
Divorce, 28,
10 We'd Duke of
W stminster
Wealthy Briton and Mrs.
Mary Geraldine Rowley
Engaged; She Is % and
Recently Secured Divorce
His Second Wedding Also
bridegroom Hero of Boer
and World Wars; One of
Nations Great Landlords

LONDON, Nov. 25.-Announcement is
made in the Register Office notices
printed in the evening news of the
Forthcoming marriage of the Duke Of
Westminster and Mrs. Violet Mary
Geraldine Rowley. Mrs. Rowey, who
is twenty eight years old and youngest
daughter of Sir William Nelson, of
Acton, County Denbigh, Wales, OBJ
tanned divorce decree on November / s.
The former Duchess of Westminster
who before her marriage to the duke
was Constance Edwina, daughter of
Colonel William Cornwallis-W West. re-
ceived decree Of absolute divorce last
December. The couple had signed
separation agreement in 1914.
Duke Is Big Landowner
The Duke Of Westminster is one of
the wealthiest men in England. He
owns about 10000 acres OF land in
Cheshire and Flintshire and 600 acres
in London. His country seats are
Eaton Hall, Chester and Halkin in
tlintshire, and his London residence is
Grosvenor House, in Grosvenor Street,
War and was decorated for bravery
He also served in South Africa on the
staff of Field Marshal Lord Roberts in
1900 and on the staff of Sir Alfred
Miner, the British High Commissioner
in South Africa. He was born in 1879
and succeeded to the title in 1899. He
was formerly an active polo player
and was also pioneer aviator.
The courtship of the duke and his
former wife was romantic affair. He
fell in love with her during the life
time Of his grandfather, the holder Of
the title. The grandfather was so in
furiated that he sent the young man,
who was heir to the title, to South
Africa. AS soon as the grandfather
died the young duke returned home.
But in the mean time Miss West had
fallen in love with penniless young
man, Gordon Wood. When the duke
learned this he returned at once to
South Africa. Later his rival was
killed while fighting the Beers and the
duke went homo and married Miss
West in 1901 The couple had three
children. One of them, a son, for
whom King Edward stood sponsor, died
when he was five years old.
The elder sister of the former
duchess was married to the Prince Of
Pless.
Duchess Expert at Polo
The duchess was noted polo player
and active in other sports At the
outbreak Of the war she took up war
work
Their matrimonial troubles attracted
wide attention for several years, and
before actual divorce proceedings be-
gan there we're many reports Of trouble
between them.
In her suit for divorce the duchess
charged her husband with desertion
and complete forgetfulness of his mar
rage vows. The duke voluntarily set
tied &65,000 a year on her when she
obtained her divorce.
On January she was married to
Captain j. Fitzpatrick Lewis. said to
be ten years her junior. He was in
the Royal Air Servie during the World
War and met the duchess in hospital
in France where he was being treated
fer wounds.
Mrs. Rowley.s father was chairman
IF the Nelson Line of Steamships and
the Nelson Steamship Navigation Com
pany.
Mrs. Rowey's former husband was
Richard Rowley. He was a member of
the Colds tream Guards, and they were
married six years ago. Her mother
was q member of the Hope family, CT
Hopestown, Westweath County. Her
brother, James Hope Nelson, married
Miss Isabel Vale, Of st. Louis, in 1913.