BEDFORD, DUCHESS OF Neg. No: GP (L) 1693E Neg. Size: 15"x12" Neg. Date: 10-05-1898 Sitter: Duchess of Bedford, née Mary du Caurroy Tribe (1865-1937), 2nd daughter of Ven. Walter Harry Tribe, Archdeacon of Lahore; m. (1888) Lord Herbrand Arthur Russell, later 11th Duke of Bedford (1858-1937). Mary, Duchess of Bedford (1865-1937) was a daughter of the Archdeacon of Lahore. In 1888 she married Princess Daisy of Pless’s cousin Herbrand Russell, since 1894 11th Duke of Bedford. The Duchess was an extraordinary woman who succeeded in everything she put her hand to. She was renowned for her skills at fishing and shooting and was a noted ornithologist as well as a highly qualified nurse and radiologist at the hospitals she opened in the ancestral home, Woburn Abbey, on the outbreak of World War One. At the third Drawing Room of the Season on 10 May 1898, the Duchess wore “one of the most beautiful dresses seen at the Drawing Room”. Her gown, made by Madame Julie Swaebe of New Burlington Street, London, is of ivory duchesse satin, with a corsage embroidered with clusters of violets, brilliants and Rhine stones. It is draped on one side with Honiton lace and a corselet of gold and jewelled embroidery. Her train is of deep pansy velvet with pink embroidered flowers. As well as a spectacular necklace of large naïve-cut Indian diamonds, worn over a conventional diamond necklace, she wears a tiara made by Chaumet symbolising ‘forever love’ in the form of diamond flowers, buds, roses and jasmine leaves, that due to the springs of their settings, trembled lightly as she moved. At the age of 60, the Duchess took up the pastime of aviation and made a record flight to India and Cape Town in 1929-1930. Sadly, while flying solo in 1937 her plane crashed into the North Sea and her body was never found. Biog: D.B.E. (cr. 1928); Member of the Society of Radiographers; made record flight to India and back (1929) and to the Cape and back (1930); obtained pilot's 'A' licence in 1933; 2nd daughter of Ven. Walter Harry Tribe, Archdeacon of Lahore; m. (1888) Lord Herbrand Arthur Russell, later 11th Duke of Bedford (1858-1937). Date: 10 May 1898. Occasion: Present at the Drawing Room, 10 May 1898. Location: The Lafayette Studio, 179 New Bond Street, London, W. Descr: FL seated. Costume: Court dress: "Court gown of ivory duchesse satin; corsage embroidered with violets, brilliants and Rhine stones, and draped on one side with Honiton lace, and corselet of gold and jewelled embroidery; petticoat made with panels of the embroidery, opening on one side showing cascades of lace; Court train of petunia velvet, lined ivory duchesse satin, made from the shoulders and turned over at one corner with velvet emroidery, same design as gown and large white plumes caught up with lace. The Honiton lace was made specially for this gown" (see: The Court Circular, 14 May 1898, p 410a). Costume Designer & Supplier: Madame Julie Swaebe, 9 New Burlington Street, London. Jewellery: - Furniture & Props: Painted rococo style backdrop; x-shape chair with arms; studio Persian rug. Photographer: Lafayette Ltd., 179 New Bond Street, London, W. Evidence of photographer at work: - No of poses: 1. Copyright: V&A All images on this site are copyright V&A. For further information on using or requesting copies of any images please contact the V&A Picture Library: vaimages@vam.ac.uk including the URL of the relevant page Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989. References: Biog: Dictionary of National Biography; Burke's Peerage; Who's Who. Occasion: The Times, 11 May 1898, p 13e. Costume: The Court Circular, 14 May 1898, p 410a; The Ladies' Field, 21 May 1898, p 429b; Lady's Pictorial, 21 May 1898, pp 742b & 750 (line drawing). Costume Designer: Lady's Pictorial, 21 May 1898, p 742b. Costume Supplier: The Court Circular, 14 May 1898, p 410a; Lady's Pictorial, 21 May 1898, p 742b. Jewellery: - Reproduced: The Ladies' Field, 21 May 1898, p 431.