Biography of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll 1912-1993

On 01 Dec 1912 Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll was born to George Hay Whigham and Helen Mann Hannay and Helen Mann Hannay.

In 18 May 1923 Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 10) arrived at Southampton with her father [her father] George Hay Whigham and mother [her mother] Helen Mann Hannay on the ship Majestie, of the White Star Line, from New York.

Around 1928 Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 15) underwent an abortion having become pregnant following a liason with David Niven (age 17) whilst on holiday at Bembridge, Isle of Wight.

Around 1931. Gerald Leslie Brockhurst (age 40). Portrait of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 18).

1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 38). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 19). © National Portrait Gallery.

1932. Yevonde Cumbers aka Madame Yevonde (age 38). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 19). © National Portrait Gallery.

04 Oct 1932. Bassano Ltd. Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 19).

Source: National Portrait Gallery

Jan 1933. Cecil Beaton (age 28). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 20).

In Jan 1933 Hugh Houston Smiley 3rd Baronet (age 28) and Nancy Beaton (age 23) were married. The eight bridesmaids included the bride's sister Barbara "Baba" Beaton (age 20), Margaret Whigham (age 20), Lady Bridget Poulett (age 20), and Lady Anne Wellesley (age 22)

On 21 Feb 1933 Charles Francis Sweeny (age 23) and Margaret Whigham (age 20) were married at the Brompton Oratory, Kensington.

Barbara "Baba" Beaton (age 21) and Bridget Poulet (age 21) were bridesmaids.

Hartford Courant:

Miss Margaret Whigham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hay Whlgham or Ascot, England, was married in London Tuesday to Mr. Charles Sweeney, young American golfer, in Brompton Oratory. This famous Catholic church was thronged with fashionable guests. Outside another crowd, composed largely of women eager to see the brlde, was so large that forty policemen had great difficulty in maintaining traffic lines.

The bride arrived few minutes late. She wore a pearl white satin gown embroidered with pearls. The eighteen-foot train was edged with cloud-like layers or pearl-embroidered silk net. Her veil or tulle, fitted closely like a cap, was held with a narrow filet of pearl leaves interwoven with orange blossoms. She carried a bouquet or white lilies.

There were nine bridesmaids. All dressed in whitc with wreaths or red flowers. Thcy were Lady Bridget Poulett and Miss Shelia Berry, Miss Jeanne Stourton, Miss Margaret Livingstone-Learmouth, Miss Baba Beaton, Miss Angela Brett, Miss Dawn Gold, Miss Molly Vaughan and Miss Pamela Nicholl. The ushers included the Earl of Birkenhead (age 25) and Mr. Randolph Churchill (age 21).

The bride was given by her father, who is connected with an American business firm, The best man was Mr. Robert Sweeney, brother of the bridegroom. Mrs. Whlghnm, who has a home at 55 Princeiss Gate, gave the wedding reception. The couple then departcd for Paris. Later they will cruise in the West Indies.

Among the many wedding presents were a pair of gold cuff! links for the bridegroom from the Prlnce of Wales, who last year selected Mr. Sweeney, then captain of the Oxford University golf team, as his partner in the Navy and Royal Marines golf tournament. Mr. Sweeney first played golf here as an American schoolboy in the boys amateur golf championship, which he was runner-up. His brother also attended Oxford and frequently was his golf partner.

1934. Paul Tanqueray (age 28). Photograph of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 21).

Source: National Portrait Gallery.

In 1937 [her daughter] Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland was born to [her husband] Charles Francis Sweeny (age 27) and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 24).

In 1947 Charles Francis Sweeny (age 37) and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 34) were divorced.

On 20 Aug 1949 Niall Campbell 10th Duke Argyll (age 77) died. His first cousin once removed [her future husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll (age 46) succeeded 11th Duke Argyll.

On 22 Mar 1951 Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll (age 47) and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 38) were married. She by marriage Duchess Argyll.

1953. Paul Tanqueray (age 47). Photograph of Margaret Whigam Duchess of Argyll (age 40) and [her husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll (age 49).

Source: National Portrait Gallery.

Oct 1955. Francis Goodman (age 42). Photograph of Margaret Whigam Duchess of Argyll (age 42) and her daughter [her daughter] Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland (age 18), future Duchess of Rutland. Source: National Portrait Gallery.

Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland: In 1937 she was born to Charles Francis Sweeny and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll. On 15 May 1958 Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Rutland. She the daughter of Charles Francis Sweeny and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll. He the son of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland.

On 15 May 1958 [her son-in-law] Charles John Robert Manners 10th Duke Rutland (age 38) and [her daughter] Frances Helen Sweeny Duchess of Rutland (age 21) were married. She by marriage Duchess Rutland. She the daughter of [her former husband] Charles Francis Sweeny (age 48) and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 45). He the son of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland (age 63).

In 1963 Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll (age 59) and Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 50) were divorced following a scandalous divorce case.

On 07 Apr 1973 [her former husband] Ian Campbell 11th Duke of Argyll (age 69) died.

On 22 Oct 1983 a Memorial Service was held for David Niven at St Martin in the Fields [Map]. The servie was attended by Margaret Whigham (age 70), Richard Attenborough, Michael Caine, Jon Pertwee, Anthony Quayle, Sir John Mills, Shirley Anne Field and John Mortimer.

On 11 Mar 1993 [her former husband] Charles Francis Sweeny (age 83) died. He was buried at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking.

On 25 Jul 1993 Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll (age 80) died at St George's Nursing Home, Pimlico. She was buried with her first husband [her former husband] Charles Francis Sweeny, who had died four months before, at Brookwood Cemetery, Woking.

Ancestors of Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll 1912-1993

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Whigham of Lochpatrick

GrandFather: David Dundas Whigham

Father: George Hay Whigham

Margaret Whigham Duchess of Argyll

Mother: Helen Mann Hannay