| May Abel Smith | |
|---|---|
| Lady May Abel Smith prev. Princess of Teck |
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| Spouse | Henry Abel Smith |
| Issue | |
| Anne Liddell-Grainger Richard Abel Smith Elizabeth Wise |
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| House | House of Württemberg |
| Father | Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone |
| Mother | Princess Alice of Albany |
| Born | 23 January 1906 |
| Died | 29 May 1994 (aged 88) |
Lady May Abel Smith born Princess May of Teck (May Helen Emma Abel Smith) (23 January 1906 – 29 May 1994) was a descendant of the British Royal Family, a great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria. From her birth, she was known as Princess May of Teck, a title in the Kingdom of Württemberg. She was later styled The Lady May Cambridge, after the British Royal Family and its relatives ceased using their German titles in 1917, and Lady May Abel Smith after her marriage in 1931.
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Princess May was born at Claremont House, near Esher in Surrey, England. Her parents were Prince Alexander of Teck (later the 1st Earl of Athlone), the youngest son of Prince Francis, Duke of Teck and Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge. Her mother was Princess Alexander of Teck (née Princess Alice of Albany), the daughter of Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, youngest son of Queen Victoria and his wife, Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont.
As a daughter of Prince Alexander of Teck, May was styled Her Serene Highness Princess May of Teck at birth.
During World War I, anti-German feeling in the United Kingdom led Princess May's cousin, King George V, to change the name of the royal house from the Germanic House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to the more English-sounding House of Windsor. The King also renounced all Germanic titles for himself and other members of the British Royal Family who were British subjects.
In response, May's father, Prince Alexander, renounced his title of a Prince of Teck in the Kingdom of Württemberg and the style His Serene Highness. Alexander, along with his brother, Prince Adolphus of Teck, adopted the name Cambridge, after their grandfather, Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge.
A few days later, the King created Alexander Earl of Athlone and Viscount Trematon. Alexander was now styled The Right Honourable Earl of Athlone. His daughter was now styled Lady May Cambridge, and his surviving son adopted the courtesy title of Viscount Trematon. Alexander's wife, Alice, born a British princess, retained her title and style, Her Royal Highness, and became known as Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone.
She served as a royal bridesmaid on numerous occasions; three times in Westminster Abbey: in 1919 to HRH Princess Patricia of Connaught on her marriage to Captain Alexander Ramsay RN; in 1922 to HRH The Princess Mary on her marriage to Viscount Lascelles; and in 1923 to the Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon on her marriage to HRH The Duke of York.
Lady May married Henry Abel Smith (later Sir Henry) on 24 October 1931. They were married for over 60 years and had three children:
| Name | Birth | Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anne Mary Sibylla Abel Smith | 28 July 1932 | Married on 14 December 1957 to David Liddell-Grainger (26 January 1930 – 12 March 2007); they were divorced in 1981 but have five children:
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| Colonel Richard Francis Abel Smith | 11 October 1933 | 23 December 2004 | Married on 28 April 1960 to Marcia Kendrew (born 27 March 1940). One daughter:
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| Elizabeth Alice Abel Smith | 5 September 1936 | Married on 29 April 1965 to Peter Wise (born 29 December 1929) but divorced in 1975. One daughter:
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Lady May's wedding party included:
Lady May did not carry out any royal duties as she was not a member of the British royal family. She did attend some major royal events such as the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. At the latter event, Lady May was credited with popularizing the counterweights at the back of women's necklaces to prevent the clasps from turning around, which she often wore herself on her usual pearl necklaces.
Between 1958 and 1966, Sir Henry Abel Smith served as the Governor of Queensland. May accompanied Henry to Brisbane, as vice-regal consort.
Lady May died one year after her husband. They are both buried at the Royal Burial Ground, Frogmore, not far from Windsor Castle. Her funeral was attended by members of the Royal Family.