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Prince & Princess of Wales

Duchess of Cambridge’s ancestors linked to Leeds area and Samantha Cameron

They may not be studying in this country but a group of students from Australia have been researching the family history of one of our most recognisable members of royalty. Art historian, Michael Reed and his students from Hallam College in Melbourne have uncovered evidence that shows The Duchess of Cambridge’s family once had links to a forgotten stately home in Leeds.

Potternewton Hall Estate in Leeds was the birthplace and childhood home of Kate’s great-grandmother, Olive Lupton, who was the daughter of Francis Martineau Lupton, one of many Lupton’s who were influential across Leeds for much of the 19th and 20th century. The Lupton family were described as ‘Landed Gentry’.

The Lupton’s were a very distinguished family. Olive’s two uncles were both Lord Mayors of Leeds and her cousin was Lady Mayoress in 1943 and as well as Potternewton, the Lupton’s also owned a number of other grand houses including Beechwood in Roundhay, Mount Pleasant in Harehills and The Acacia on Oakwood Garden.

Perhaps one of the more interesting bits of information the students from Australia found out was The Duchess of Cambridge’s link to Potternewton Hall. The hall has long since been demolished but was one of several country houses in the area, the others being Newton Lodge and Scott Hall. Frank Lupton, father of Francis Lupton, bought Potternewton Hall in

Samantha Cameron and The Duchess of Cambridge share a connection at Sutton Park.

Samantha Cameron and The Duchess of Cambridge share a connection at Sutton Park.

1860 while his brother, Arthur Lupton, owned the adjacent Newton Hall Estate though in 1870 he decided to sell Newton to Frank and their other brother, Darnton. At the turn of the century, the Lupton’s no longer lived at Potternewton Hall and the Nussey family took out a long lease on the house, remaining there until at least 1933.

The students from Hallam College in Melbourne also found out another surprising connection that Kate has. To Samantha Cameron. When Potternewton Hall was demolished, an antiques dealer from York offered up for sale old panelling from the hall. Much of the panelling was lost but some was bought by Lieutenant Colonel Gowans, who reassembled it at Sutton Park as a morning room. Now here comes the connection. Sutton Park is now owned by Sir Reginald Sheffield who is the father of Samantha Cameron, wife of Prime Minister David Cameron. Sir Reginald Sheffield has said that the panelling and mantelpiece were saved because they were a part of a priceless interior. So they may not be connected because they are related, but The Duchess of Cambridge and Samantha Cameron do have one thing in common, priceless panelling!

Though Leeds has played no part in Kate’s life so far, it did play a massive part in the life of her father, Michael Middleton, who spent his first two years of life living at Moorland in Leeds.

So as the students at Hallam continue their research, who knows just what other quirky connections The Duchess of Cambridge has and if they are anything like the ones we already know, we should look forward to hearing them!

Photo Credit: Conservatives

Featured Photo Credit: US Embassy Canada