Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Orkney

Elizabeth Villiers, later Lady Elizabeth Douglas - Hamilton, Countess of Orkney (* 1657, † April 19, 1733 in London) was an English noblewoman and the mistress of King William III.

Life

Elizabeth was the daughter of Sir Edward Villiers and his wife Lady Frances Howard. Her maternal grandfather was the politician Theophilus Howard, 2nd Earl of Suffolk. Her mother was the governess of the princesses and future queens of England, Mary and Anna.

In 1677, Elizabeth Villiers accompanied the Princess Mary as their maid of honor to Holland and became the mistress of their husband, the Dutch governor William III. of Orange (1650-1702), who later rose to become King of England. 1680 she became his official mistress. Lady Villiers distrusted John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, and his wife Sarah, with whom she shared a bitter rivalry. Through the intrigues of the Duchess was the long-standing relationship with the king in 1694 to an end.

On November 25, 1695 married Lady Elizabeth her ​​cousin ( second degree ) George Douglas-Hamilton, 1st Earl of Orkney ( 1666-1737 ), fifth son of William Douglas-Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Hamilton, and Anne Hamilton, 3rd Duchess of Hamilton. After marrying her husband, the Scottish peerage was bestowed with the title Earl of Orkney. From the marriage, which by all accounts was as happy, went forth three daughters:

• Lady Anne Douglas - Hamilton ( † 1756 ), Countess of Orkney ∞ 1720 William O'Brien, 4th Earl of Inchiquin
• Lady Frances Douglas - Hamilton ( † 1772) ∞ 1724 Thomas Lumley - Saunderson, 3rd Earl of Scarbrough
• Lady Harriet Douglas - Hamilton ( † 1732) ∞ 1728 John Boyle, 5th Earl of Cork