Elizabeth Helen Curzon, Countess Howe (''née'' Stuart; born 12 November 1955), is a British peeress, educator and philanthropist who has served as

Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire There has been a Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire almost continuously since the position was created by King Henry VIII in 1535. The only exception to this was the English Civil War and English Interregnum between 1643 and 1660 when there was n ...

since 27 November 2020.

Early life and education

Lady Howe was born Elizabeth Helen Stuart on 12 November 1955 to Burleigh Edward St Lawrence Stuart (1920–2004) and Joan Elizabeth Platts (died 2001). She was raised in

Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire (, abbreviated ''Bucks'') is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England and one of the home counties. It is bordered by Northamptonshire to the north, Bedfordshire to the north-east, Hertfordshir ...

and was educated at Headington School in

Oxford Oxford () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and non-metropolitan district in Oxfordshire, England, of which it is the county town. The city is home to the University of Oxford, the List of oldest universities in continuou ...

. She obtained a

Bachelor of Education A Bachelor of Education (B.Ed. or BEd) is an undergraduate academic degree which prepares students for work as a teacher in schools. A Bachelor of Education program typically lasts three to four years and combines both coursework and practical exp ...

from the

University of Cambridge The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209, the University of Cambridge is the List of oldest universities in continuous operation, wo ...

Career

After completing university, Lady Howe began teaching in Newmarket and London. She has worked as a

governor A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political regions, political region, in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the ...

and volunteer music teachers in schools in

. In 1995, Lady Howe was made a deputy lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. She served as

High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire The High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, in common with other counties, was originally the King's representative on taxation upholding the law in Saxon times. The word Sheriff evolved from 'shire-reeve'. Sheriff is the oldest secular office under th ...

from 2010 to 2011. She was appointed

on 26 June 2020. She took office upon the retirement of

Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, 8th Baronet Sir Henry Egerton Aubrey-Fletcher, 8th Baronet (born 27 November 1945), is the former Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. He is the grandson of Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, who previously held the office from 1954 to 1961. Biography The only ...

, on 27 November 2020. She is the first woman to hold the position, which was established in 1535 by

King Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. His disagreement w ...

. Lady Howe holds a number positions in local charitable organizations. She is chairman of Heart of Bucks Community Foundation, patron of Milton Keynes Islamic Art, Heritage and Culture, and president of the Epilepsy Society. In 2023, as lord-lieutenant, Lady Howe attended the

coronation of King Charles III The Coronation of the British monarch, coronation of Charles III and his wife, Queen Camilla, Camilla, as Monarchy of the United Kingdom, king and List of British royal consorts, queen of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth re ...

with her husband.

Marriage and family

On 26 March 1983, Elizabeth Stuart married Frederick Curzon. The following year, Curzon succeeded his second cousin as 7th

Earl Howe Earl Howe is a title that has been created twice in British history, for members of the Howe and Curzon-Howe family respectively. The first creation, in the Peerage of Great Britain, was in 1788 for Richard Howe, 4th Viscount Howe, but it ...

, thus making his wife Countess Howe. The Earl and Countess have four children: Lady Anna Curzon (born 19 January 1987); Lady Flora Curzon (born 12 June 1989); Lady Lucinda Curzon (born 12 October 1991); and Thomas, Viscount Curzon (born 22 October 1994). The family resides at Penn House in Penn, Buckinghamshire.

Honours

Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (), commonly known as the Order of St John, and also known as St John International, is an order of chivalry constituted in 1888 by royal charter from Queen Victoria and dedica ...

: ** 5 July 1990: Serving Sister (now Member) (SStJ) ** 15 July 1997: Officer (Sister) (OStJ) ** 18 April 2017: Commander (Sister) (CStJ) * UK King Charles III Coronation Medal BAR

UK King Charles III Coronation Medal BAR

6 May 2023: King Charles III Coronation Medal

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howe, Elizabeth Curzon, Countess of Living people 1955 births

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Empress Elisabeth (disambiguation), lists various empresses named ''Elisabeth'' or ''Elizabeth'' * Princess Elizabeth ...

People from Buckinghamshire People educated at Headington School Alumni of the University of Cambridge British countesses by marriage British women philanthropists High sheriffs of Buckinghamshire Lord-lieutenants of Buckinghamshire