Roberte Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough

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Roberte de Neuflize Ponsonby, Countess of Bessborough (b. 18?? - d. 1979), was the daughter of Baron Jean de Neuflize of Paris.

On 25 June 1912, she married Vere Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon (b. 27 October 1880 - d. 10 March 1956), son of Edward Ponsonby, 8th Earl of Bessborough and Blanche Vere Guest, and held the courtesy title of Viscountess Duncannon.

On 1 December 1920, the Viscount's father died and inherited the title of Earl of Bessborough, whereupon Roberte then became known as the Countess of Bessborough.

She was invested as a Dame Grand Cross, Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (GCSt.J). She was decorated with the Chevalier, Legion of Honour. She held the office of Justice of the Peace for West Sussex between 1943 and 1956.

She and her husband were predeceased by two of their sons. A third son has since died, and only their daughter, Lady Moyra Browne, is still alive (as of 2007).

[edit] Children

• Dame Moyra Blanche Madeleine Ponsonby Browne (b. 2 March 1918)
• Frederick Edward Neuflize Ponsonby, 10th Earl of Bessborough (b. 29 March 1913 - d. 5 December 1993)
• Hon. Desmond Neuflize Ponsonby (b. 4 August 1915 - d. 8 April 1925)
• Lt. Hon. George St Lawrence Neuflize Ponsonby (b. 14 August 1931 - d. 16 May 1951)

[edit] References

• Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware:Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd., 2003), volume 1, page 363.

Preceded by The Marchioness of Willingdon

Viceregal Consort of Canada 1931 – 1935

Succeeded by The Baroness Tweedsmuir