Princess Antonia, 9th Duchess of Wellington

Princess Antonia of Prussia, 9th Duchess of Wellington, 9th Princess of Waterloo, 10th Duchess of Ciudad Rodrigo, 9th Duchess of Victoria OBE (Antonia Elizabeth Brigid Louise Mansfeld; born 28 April 1955) is a British aristocrat and philanthropist.

She serves as the president of The Guinness Partnership, an affordable housing community benefit society in the United Kingdom. A member of the House of Hohenzollern by birth, she is a great-granddaughter of Wilhelm II, German Emperor and a third-great granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain.

Early Life and Education

Princess Antonia Elizabeth Brigid Louise Mansfeld of Prussia was born in London on 28 April 1955, the daughter of Prince Frederick of Prussia and Lady Brigid Guinness. She is a great-granddaughter of the German Emperor Wilhelm II on her father's side and granddaughter of Rupert Guinness,2nd Earl of Iveagh on her mother's side.

She has a twin brother, Rupert.

She was educated at Cobham Hall School and King's College London, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English.

Career

In 2008 Antonia was appointed as a fellow of Eton College, serving as a member of the college's governing body. She is also fellow of King's College, London.

She opened Maggi Hambling's War Requiem & Aftermath, a cultural exhibition at King's College.

In 2007 she was appointed as the President of The Guinness Partnership, an affordable housing charitable society in the United Kingdom, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to social housing. Prior to serving as president, she had been a member of the Partnership's Board of Trustees since 1976.

In 2009 she became the chairman of the Royal Ballet School, serving until December 2019. As chairman, she helped lead the school's Healthy Dancer Program and fundraised for the school's academic programs.

Personal life

On 3 February 1997, she married Charles Wellesley, Marquess Douro at St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge in London. When her husband succeeded his father as the 9th Duke of Wellington, she become the Princess of Waterloo, Duchess of Victoria, Duchess of Wellington, and Duchess of Ciudad Rodrigo.

They have five children:

-Arthur Wellesley, Earl of Mornington (b. 31 January 1978)

-Lady Honor Wellesley (b.25 October 1979)

-Lady Mary Wellesley (b. 6 December 1986)

-Lady Charlotte Wellesley (b. 8 October 1990)

-Lord Frederick Wellesley (b. 30 September 1992)

(https://en.wikipedia.org)

Titles

28 April 1955-3 February 1977: Her Royal Highness Princess Antonia of Prussia

3 February 1977-31 December 2014: Her Royal Highness of Prussia, Marchioness of Douro

31 December 2014-present: Her Royal Highness Princess Antonia of Prussia, Duchess of Wellington

In Belgium and the Netherlands

31 December 2014-present: Her Royal Highness Princess Antonia of Prussia, The Princess of Waterloo

In Spain

21 May 2010-present: Her Royal Highness Princess Antonia of Prussia, Duchess of Ciudad Rodrigo

In Portugal

31 December 2014-present: Her Royal Highness Princess Antonia of Prussia, Duchess of Victoria, Marchioness of Torres Vedras, Countess of Vimeiro

Honoours

14 June 2008: Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

(https://zims-en.kiwix.campusafrica.gos.com)