10th Duke of Richmond, Charles Gordon-Lennox, dies aged 87
A statement issued by his family announced the 10th duke of Richmond, 10th Duke of Lennox, 10th Duke of Aubigny, 5th Duke of Gordon, Charles Henry Gordon-Lennox has passed away at the age of 87 on Friday evening. He succeeded his titles when his father Frederick Gordon-Lennox, 9th Duke of Richmond, died in 1989. Before moving into the corporate world after training as a chartered accountant, the Duke was educated at Eton College and William Temple College, the presently defunct Church of England theological college.
The Duke and Duchess Susan Monica Grenville-Grey, were very progressive. He and his wife attracted press attention when they had adopted two girls of mixed race; The Lady Maria Gordon-Lennox and The Lady Naomi Gordon-Lennox. During the 1960's, anti-immigrant sentiment was at a high and interracial relationships were frowned upon. Adopted children of peers weren't allowed to use courtesy titles until a Royal Warrant issued in April 2004 meant that Maria and Naomi were allowed to be called Lady, as daughters of the duke.
The Duke held a number of senior positions in the Anglican church, also including membership of the Church Synod and the world Council of Churches. Additionally he was Chancellor of the University of Sussex from 1985 to 1998.
His son Charles Gordon-Lennox, the Earl of March and Kinrara, founded the Festival of Speed in 1993 and the Goodwood Revival in 1998. The Duke moved to a smaller house on the Goodwood Estate when Lord March took over control of the estate and moved into the main house with his family. The Goodwood Estate stated: "It is with great sadness that we announce the death of His Grace the Duke of Richmond and Gordon. The Duke died peacefully at Goodwood."
Lord March said his father had been in good spirits only last Sunday, the illness was very short; "It was really, very quick." A private funeral will be held at Boxgrove Priory, followed by a memorial service.