EDWINA, COUNTESS MOUNTBATTEN OF BURMA
Heiress & Engagement to Mountbatten

Edwina's new and limited organisational skills were put the test at Brook House, for her grandfather was a stickler for punctuality and his social arrangements were now to be Edwina's priority.  Sir Ernest was famous for his lavish parties, and Edwina became a confident hostess – she was in her element and she soon became renowned in society as one of the most interesting and richest of débutantes in London’s society.  In May 1920, Edwina's own 'coming out' into society was a full list of several weeks of parties and social events, including a ball held at Brook House itself, which she shared with cousin Marjorie Jenkins, later Countess of Brecknock (1900-1989).   As Edwina was labelled one of the richest heiresses in the country, it meant that every dinner, every dance, and more importantly every dance partner was documented in the newspapers.  She soon became recognised as one of the 'fast set' of debutantes which included - (Dame) Barbara Cartland (1901-2000); The Hon. Grisell Cochrane-Baillie (1898-1985) and Miss Audrey James (1902-1968).

Inevitably at one of these society parties, Edwina met her future husband - the young Lord Louis Mountbatten at Claridge’s Hotel, London.  They were first  introduced by Mrs Cornelius Vanderbilt II, née Miss Alice Gwynne (1845-1934).  Edwina and Mountbatten met again at the Cowes Regatta on the Isle of Wight and they attended the numerous parties throughout the society week and shortly afterwards, Mountbatten introduced Edwina to his parents. Mountbatten’s father said to his son at the time - "Edwina is the most charming and remarkable girl of this generation I have met.  She’s got intelligence, character, everything.  If you decide to marry her, you have my whole-hearted approval.  She'll make a wonderful wife for you."

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Mountbatten intended to propose marriage to Edwina in September 1921 – but the death of his father on 11th September 1921 changed his plans.  Within days of the death of Mountbatten’s father, Sir Ernest died on 21st September 1921, following a heart attack whilst at his desk in Brook House - he was 69yrs old.  Edwina and Mountbatten sought each other for solace in grief, and they went for quiet walks in Hyde Park together to discuss their situation and their future - more importantly, IF, they had a future.  Mountbatten decided against making a proposal, having been dissuaded by his mother with the thought that he was no longer in Edwina’s league being a poorly paid Naval officer. 

Sir Ernest was as well organised in death, as he was alive.  His will was detailed - with  an estate valued at over £7 million (nearly £300 million in today's money), Amongst the bequests - Edwina and Mary were to inherit jointly Sir Ernest's Villa Cassel in Switzerland; Sir Ernest's sister - Mrs Wilhelmina 'Bobbie' Cassel (1847-1925) was given use of Brook House for the rest of her life, and then it would go to Edwina, and failing all his relations in specific order, Brook House would be offered to the Sovereign; Sir Ernest's estates in Newmarket, including Six Mile Bottom Estate would pass to Mary.  Sir Ernest's vast fortune would be split into 64 parts - with 16 parts going to Mary when she came of age; and 25 parts to Edwina (the largest single share) - worth £2 million (nearly £90 million in today's money).  Should Mary or Edwina die childless, then the surviving sister would inherit their share of Sir Ernest's fortune.  Edwina was hailed "the richest girl in Britain."  Following Sir Ernest's funeral, Edwina was invited to stay with 'matchmaker' and society hostess - Dame Margaret Greville (née McEwan), The Hon. Mrs Ronald Greville (1863-1942) at Polesden Lacey, her country home near Dorking, Surrey, who Edwina persuaded to invite Mountbatten.  In October 1921, at Mountbatten's request, Mountbatten's sister-in-law - 'Nada', Marchioness of Milford Haven, formerly Countess Nadejda Mikhailovna de Torby (1896-1963) invited Edwina to stay at The Milford Haven's home in Southsea, Hampshire. 

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