Friday, July 24, 2009
Margaret Greville and Polesden Lacey.
Long ago, in 1863, a baby girl was born in Scotland. Little Maggie grew up with her mother, Helen, and a man she presumably believed to be her father, who was a day porter at McEwans Brewery.
In fact she was the daughter of William McEwan, the multimillionaire brewery owner.
This wise philanthropist ensured that Margaret was very well provided for and when the day porter died, the 2 parents married.
Margaret then moved in high society and eventually married the 2nd Son of Baron Greville.
Ronald, her husband was an MP and businessman.
The couple had a grand house in London where they entertained lavishly.
But this was not enough - they bought Polesden Lacey in 1906, a Regency house on the hills near Dorking.
Margaret was left a widow just 2 years later.
She devoted her life to refurbishing the house and entertaining royalty from all over the world.
Edward VII was a frequent visitor with Alice Keppel, his mistress.
Margaret became very good friends with Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, wife of George VI, mother of our Queen.
George and Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey.
The house was adorned with magnificent items collected by Margaret - pictures, china etc. One room - the entertainments room was created from an Italian villa that was being demolished and has a huge Baccarat chandelier.
Margaret had never had any children. Affection was bestowed on her dogs and her friends.
She died in 1942. She left the house to the National Trust so that people everywhere could enjoy her creation, in memory of her philanthropist father.
Her will ensured that the staff were well provided for.
She left £20,000 to Princess Margaret.
She left jewellery to her old friend Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Pearls we used to see the old Queen wearing had been Margaret's.
Camilla's engagement ring almost certainly had been inherited from Margaret.
And so in 2009 the house attracts visitors and yesterday we were just 2 of them, slipping into Margaret Greville's world for an hour or so.
The chandelier and gilding in this room were just magnificent.
The dining room, where Kings and other royalty used to dine.
And there is a little graveyard for Margaret's dogs. This grave is for Cho - a Pekingese who was a companion for 16 years.
In fact she was the daughter of William McEwan, the multimillionaire brewery owner.
This wise philanthropist ensured that Margaret was very well provided for and when the day porter died, the 2 parents married.
Margaret then moved in high society and eventually married the 2nd Son of Baron Greville.
Ronald, her husband was an MP and businessman.
The couple had a grand house in London where they entertained lavishly.
But this was not enough - they bought Polesden Lacey in 1906, a Regency house on the hills near Dorking.
Margaret was left a widow just 2 years later.
She devoted her life to refurbishing the house and entertaining royalty from all over the world.
Edward VII was a frequent visitor with Alice Keppel, his mistress.
Margaret became very good friends with Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, wife of George VI, mother of our Queen.
George and Elizabeth spent part of their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey.
The house was adorned with magnificent items collected by Margaret - pictures, china etc. One room - the entertainments room was created from an Italian villa that was being demolished and has a huge Baccarat chandelier.
Margaret had never had any children. Affection was bestowed on her dogs and her friends.
She died in 1942. She left the house to the National Trust so that people everywhere could enjoy her creation, in memory of her philanthropist father.
Her will ensured that the staff were well provided for.
She left £20,000 to Princess Margaret.
She left jewellery to her old friend Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Pearls we used to see the old Queen wearing had been Margaret's.
Camilla's engagement ring almost certainly had been inherited from Margaret.
And so in 2009 the house attracts visitors and yesterday we were just 2 of them, slipping into Margaret Greville's world for an hour or so.
Photography is not allowed within National Trust houses, but there are usually some images to be collected from internet sites.
The chandelier and gilding in this room were just magnificent.
The portrait on the wall you can see is of Margaret Greville.
The grand piano was being played as admired the room.
The dining room, where Kings and other royalty used to dine.
And there is a little graveyard for Margaret's dogs. This grave is for Cho - a Pekingese who was a companion for 16 years.
