Jane Loftus, Marchioness of Ely, Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2018

painting by Charles-Lucien-Louis Muller, 1856. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 404891

Jane Loftus, Marchioness of Ely

Jane Loftus, Marchioness of Ely was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1851 until 1889. She then served as an Extra Lady of the Bedchamber until her death in 1890. Ladies of the Bedchamber were always wives of peers. Only one Lady of the Bedchamber was in waiting at a time. She was always ready to attend to the Queen. The Lady-in-Waiting attended all State occasions and presided over the Household table when the Mistress of the Robes was not in residence. A Lady of the Bedchamber had two to three waits a year from twelve to thirty days at a time.

Born Jane Hope-Vere on December 3, 1821 to James Hope-Vere and Lady Elizabeth Hay, a daughter of the 7th Marquess of Tweeddale. Jane had seven siblings:

  • Hannah Hope-Vere – married Keith Stewart-Mackenzie, had issue
  • Sophia Hope-Vere – unmarried
  • Henrietta Hope-Vere – unmarried
  • Harriet Hope-Vere – married (1) Sir Edward Gooch, 6th Baronet, had issue; (2) Major John St. Leger, no issue
  • William Hope-Vere – married Lady Mary Boyle, had issue
  • Charles Hope-Vere – married Julia Craigie-Halkett, no issue
  • Georgina Hope-Vere – married (1855) Charles Wilson, had issue

Through her mother, Jane was a first cousin of Elizabeth (Hay) Wellesley, Duchess of Wellington, who served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1843-1858, and as Mistress of the Robes from 1861-1868, and again from 1874-1880.

Her maternal grandparents, the Marquess and Marchioness of Tweeddale had traveled to Europe in 1802 when the Marquess’s health began to decline. In France in 1803, when war began again between France and Britain, the couple were taken into custody with other British subjects and were imprisoned in the Fortress of Verdun. Both the Marchioness and the Marquess died there in May and August 1804, respectively.

On October 29, 1844, Jane married John Loftus, 3rd Marquess of Ely. He was the son of John Loftus, 2nd Marquess of Ely and Anna Maria Dashwood. They had two children:

  • Lady Marion Loftus (c1847) – married (1) George Springfield; (2) Sir James Bourne; (3) James Buchanan; (4) Rev. James Weller
  • John Loftus, 4th Marquess of Ely (1849) – married Caroline Caithness, no issue

While neither of her children served in the royal household, her niece, Adeline Loftus (daughter of her husband’s sister), was a Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria from 1889 until 1892.

The Marchioness of Ely with her son, c1860. photo by John & Charles Watkins. source: National Portrait Gallery NPG x134191

After her marriage, the family spent much of their time at Loftus Hall in County Wexford, Ireland, and also traveled extensively throughout Europe. It was on these travels that Jane developed friendships with Queen Sophie of the Netherlands and the Empress Eugenie of France. Some years later, in 1856, she represented Queen Victoria at the christening of Eugenie’s son, Napoleon, Prince Imperial.

The Marchioness of Ely (right) with Queen Victoria (center), Prince Arthur, and the Hon. Flora MacDonald, on the terrace at Osborne House, August 1854. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2906148

In 1851, Jane was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria, and quickly became one of the Queen’s most trusted confidantes.  Despite her own misgivings about her suitability for the role, Jane threw herself fully into her responsibilities, often at the expense of her own health and well-being.  After being widowed in 1857, she became even more devoted to The Queen.  And following the death of Prince Albert in 1861, she found herself one of the “gatekeepers” for Victoria, often stepping in to handle issues within the household that The Queen had previously handled in person.  While she often alienated some members of the royal household, others found her useful in getting issues or requests through to The Queen.

After Princess Louise married John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne in 1871, Jane became a more permanent resident of the royal household, living primarily with The Queen in her various residences, and spending less time at her own homes, or with her family.

The Dowager Marchioness of Ely, photographed c1885. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2912532

Following the death of her only son in April 1889, Jane resigned her position as Lady of the Bedchamber and was appointed an Extra Lady of the Bedchamber. The Dowager Marchioness of Ely died on June 1, 1890 at her home at 22 Wilton Place in Knightsbridge, London. She is buried beside her husband at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

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Recommended Book – Serving Queen Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard