Kathleen 'Kick' Kennedy, Lady Hartington (née Kennedy, 1920-1948)

'Kick' was born in 1920 as Kathleen Agnes Kennedy, the fourth child of Joseph Kennedy Snr and his wife Rose. The Kennedys were American Catholics, something that was especially dear to the identities of her parents, and would cause conflict with Kick in her later life.

Joseph Snr and Rose would go on to have nine children, many of whom would have successful political careers. Her brothers included future president John F. Kennedy, attorney general and presidential candidate Robert Kennedy, and Senator Edward ‘Ted’ Kennedy. 

Her curious nickname – 'Kick' – is alleged to have stemmed from her high-spirited nature and she was well educated at Riverdale Country School, Queen’s College London, and the Finch School in New York. She was also fond of playing sports and competed with her brothers in family games of American football. 

Her father was a leading member of the Democratic Party and in 1938 was appointed US Ambassador to the UK, relocating his whole family to London. Kick made quite a sensation following her arrival in England, being named ‘Debutante of 1938’ when making her debut at Queen Charlotte’s Ball. 

Above: Kathleen Kennedy by Chase, copyright protected

Following the outbreak of WW2, Kick initially tried to remain in London, though she was overruled by her parents and returned for a time to the US. She continued her studies there, enrolling at Finch School, and also started volunteering with the American Red Cross.

In 1943, she signed up to work in a centre for servicemen in England, which had been established by the Red Cross, and returned to London. It was during this time that she began a romantic relationship with William ‘Billy’ Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington and heir to the Devonshire Estate. The pair had known each other during Kick’s early stay in England, but their romance blossomed during the war, largely in opposition to Kick’s parents. Her mother, Rose, was particularly concerned that any children from the marriage would be raised in the Church of England, and she tried to prevent the couple from marrying. 

But, marry the couple did. They officially wed in a civil ceremony on 6 May 1944. Kick’s eldest brother, Joseph Jnr, then serving in England as an officer in the US Navy, was the only member of her family present. 

Above (l-r), Evelyn, Duchess of Devonshire, William 'Billy' Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, Kathleen Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy Jnr, 10th Duke of Devonshire.

The couple’s honeymoon was short lived, as Billy was dispatched to fight in France less than five weeks later. He was killed, after only four months of marriage, by a German sniper during a battle in Belgium; his death followed swiftly that of Kick’s elder brother Joe, whose plane had exploded a month previously. Grieving, Kick briefly returned to volunteering with the Red Cross, and after the war ended, chose to base herself permanently in London. 

Lady Hartington, as she was known after her marriage, was a popular member of the English social circuit. At only 25 years old, she was still young, beautiful and bright.

She became involved with Peter, 8th Earl Fitzwilliam. This relationship further strained matters with her parents; he was another Protestant, and worse, already married and in the process of divorcing his wife.

In May 1948, in a final attempt at reconciliation, she flew to Paris to meet her father and try to gain his consent for her planned wedding. From there, the couple intended to fly south to the French Riviera. They would never make it. About an hour into the flight, the plane lost radio contact, flying into a storm. They were brought down in a valley in the Ardèche. Kick, Fitzwilliam, their navigator, and pilot had all been killed. 

She was buried at Edensor Church, the traditional place for burial of the Cavendish family; the Devonshires arranged the funeral. Her father was the only Kennedy to attend, though her brother JFK would later visit in 1963, making a special detour from a planned diplomatic trip.