Albertha Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough

Albertha Frances Anne Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, VA (29 July 1847 – 7 January 1932), was an English aristocrat. She was the daughter of James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn, and Lady Louisa Russell.

She married George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, eldest son of John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough, on 8 November 1869 at Westminster Palace. They were divorced on 20 November 1883, shortly after her husband inherited the dukedom after the death of his father. Though the new duchess was technically Albertha, Duchess of Marlborough after their divorce, she preferred to use the title she used throughout most of the couple's married life and was known as Albertha, Marchioness of Blandford.

They had four children:

Lady Frances Louisa Spencer-Churchill (15 September 1870 – 13 November 1954), married 6 June 1893 Sir Robert Gresley, 11th Baronet, by whom she had issue.
Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (13 November 1871 – 30 June 1934).
Lady Lillian Maud Spencer-Churchill (9 July 1873 – 4 January 1951), married 6 October 1898 Colonel Cecil Grengell, by whom she had issue.
Lady Norah Beatrice Henriette Spencer-Churchill (1 September 1875 – 28 April 1946), married 1 December 1920 Francis Bradley Bradley-Birt, by whom she had issue.^[1]

Lady Blandford was one of eight train bearers at the wedding of Princess Helena and Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein on 5 July 1866 at Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England.^[2]

Titles

Lady Albertha Hamilton (29 July 1847 – 8 November 1869)
Marchioness of Blandford (8 November 1869 – 4 July 1883)
Her Grace The Duchess of Marlborough (4 July 1883 – 20 November 1883)
Albertha, Duchess of Marlborough (20 November 1883 – 7 January 1932)
- Preferred title: Albertha, Marchioness of Blandford (20 November 1883 – 7 January 1932)