Page 157 - WDT MAGAZINE PORTUGAL

By Sharon Whitley Larsen
THEUNKNOWNKENNEDY

he's the "unknown Kennedy" Catholic. In fact, the family matriarch
whose older brother, John F. Rose Kennedy noted that she was
Kennedy, became a U.S. "disturbed, horrified, heartbroken" that
president and was assassinated her daughter Kathleen had married a
Sin 1963. Two other brothers, Protestant — and in a civil ceremony at
Joseph Jr. and Robert, also died that (Kathleen's brother Joseph was the
tragically--Joseph Jr. in a World War II only family member to attend). Rose
plane crash; Robert in didn't have contact with
1968--also by an her for nearly two
assassin's bullet. Her months after the
youngest brother, wedding.
Senator Edward It was a sad,
Kennedy, died of a romantic tale: The
cancerous brain young couple were
tumor in 2009. together only five weeks
Many people are before Billy's
familiar with the Coldstream Guards
tragic story of the regiment was ordered to
Kennedys. But few France. Three months
know much about later he was fatally shot
Kathleen, who in Belgium, just a month
snagged a wealthy, after Joseph Jr., the
titled British oldest Kennedy brother,
aristocratic. He was was killed in a military
William Cavendish, plane crash.
the Marquess of Hartington — the Kathleen had first come to London
powerful 10th Duke of Devonshire's son in 1938 with her charismatic clan as a
and heir not only to the title, but to the vivacious teenager. Her father Joseph
palatial Chatsworth House estate, had been appointed U.S. ambassador to
among other rich properties. He was the Court of St. James's. She quickly
such a catch that the British royal family wowed British society, becoming one of
apparently had their eye on him for their its top debutantes.
own Princess Elizabeth, the future
queen. "She was not beautiful, but her
vitality and charm were such that she
Kathleen, nicknamed "Kick," was the one who drew attention in a
married Billy, as he was called, when she crowd," wrote the 11th Duchess of
was 24, on May 6, 1944, in London. A Devonshire, Billy's sister-in-law
World War II romance, they were very Deborah (known prior to her 2014
much in love--despite their different death as Her Grace The Dowager
faiths, which raised great conflict within Duchess) in her fascinating book
their families: His family, for hundreds of Chatsworth: The House. "Her high
generations, was very much Church of spirits, funny American turn of phrase,
England, and hers was devout Roman

156 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2019