The 11th Duke of Devonshire

It is with the greatest sadness that we report the death of the 11th Duke of Devonshire, KG, PC, MC, on 3rd May 2004. He was 84 and had held the title since 1950. He is survived by his wife, now the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, and their three children, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Their son, formerly Lord Hartington, is now the 12th Duke of Devonshire, and his wife Amanda the Duchess.

In 1950 Andrew Cavendish became 11th Duke of Devonshire. Married Hon. Deborah Mitford, daughter of 2nd Lord Redesdale.

The Duke was buried next to his parents and earlier generations of his family in the churchyard at the estate village of Edensor, after his funeral in St. Peter's Church on 10th May. More than 2000 family, friends, estate employees and tenants and representatives from his many civic and charitable concerns attended the ceremony. Photographs of the funeral are available from Bridget Flemming photography.

Many private and public tributes have been paid to the Duke, reflecting the immense respect and affection in which he was held by so many people, and his lifelong commitment to public life in Derbyshire and beyond. The Dowager Duchess says:"I have been overwhelmed by the kindness of all who knew my husband and many who never met him."

It was the Duke's express wish that visitors should continue to enjoy Chatsworth and all that it has to offer, and among the tributes in the newspapers, it is perhaps the writer Susan Hill who best summed up his philosophy; "..at Chatsworth, I knew he was truly at home...He loved the history of the place and loved even more the fact that it was alive and constantly evolving. But, above all, he loved to see it packed with happy people, paddling in the Cascade, eating their picnics and playing family games of cricket in the park. His enthusiasm and bonhomie were extraordinary, his courtesy was exemplary and his charm engaging. He made you laugh. He was grand company. He was fun."