by Scott Mehl

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Emma Portman, Baroness Portman

Emma Portman, Baroness Portman, served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1851, and then as an Extra Lady between 1851 and 1865. She was born Emma Lascelles on March 16, 1809, the daughter of Henry Lascelles, 2nd Earl of Harewood and Henrietta Sebright. Emma had ten siblings:

Emma’s brother William served as Comptroller of the Household from 1847 until 1851. He was married to a sister of Harriet, Duchess of Sutherland. And her brother Henry was married to a sister of Charlotte, Duchess of Buccleuch. Both Duchesses served as Mistress of the Robes to Queen Victoria.

On June 16, 1827, Emma married Edward Portman, the son of Edward Berkeley Portman and Lucy Whitby. He was created Baron Portman of Orchard Portman in January 1837, and would later become 1st Viscount Portman several years after Emma’s death. Their children included:

Emma first met Queen Victoria in 1835 when the young Princess visited Harewood House, the home of Lascelles family. Despite their ten-year age difference, the two began a friendship which would last until Emma’s death. So it was very fitting that shortly after her accession, in June 1837, Victoria wrote to Emma asking her to become one of her Ladies in Waiting. Emma accepted the same day, and served from 1837 until 1851. Emma is mentioned often in Queen Victoria’s journals, with the Queen observing that she ‘could be more intimate with her than with any of the others’ – a sign of the close relationship the two held.

Like several of the other ladies at court, Emma became involved in the Flora Hastings scandal, spreading the gossip that Lady Flora was pregnant by Sir John Conroy. After it was discovered to be untrue, and in fact Lady Flora was suffering from cancer, Emma and the others saw their reputations tarnished greatly. But they weathered the storm, and Emma remained a close confidante to The Queen. She stepped down from service in 1851, but was appointed an Extra Lady of the Bedchamber, and held that role until her death.

Emma Portman, Baroness Portman died on February 8, 1865. The Queen recorded the death in her journal, expressing her shock and sadness in the loss of her friend.

Recommended Book – Serving Queen Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard

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