DUKE’S SPANISH CASTLES

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 September 1945, Page 6

DUKE’S SPANISH CASTLES

I. OWNERSHIP IN DISPUTE LONDON, August 1. The High Court next term will be asked to decide the ownership of the family castles and estates in Spain of the Duke of Wellington, which were among those given to the first Duke after his victories. Proceedings have been started by the executors of the sixth Duke, who was killed in action in Italy in October, 1943, while serving as a Commando captain. Parties joined to the action are the .present Duke, uncle of .the previous holder of the little, Maud Duchess of Wellington, widow of the fifth Duke, and Lady Anne Rhys, her daughter. The sixth Duke, who was unmarried, stated that his will was not intended ■to deal with property in Spain, vzhere .he was Marquess of Douro and Duque de Ciudad Rodrigo. With these titles •go the estates of Soto de Roma and Molino del Rey. Under Spanish law, when* there is no son or brother to inherit, peerages ptiss to a daughter .or sister. T , When the sixth Duke died Lady Anne Rhys, who is the wife of Capt. the Hon. David Rhys, youngest son of Lord Dynevor, became Duquesa de Ciudad Rodrigo in her own right. The High Court is being asked to decide who was intended to own the estates under the late Duke’s will. When the British court’s decision is announced there may be a further action before the Spanish courts.