THE first wife of the Hampshire peer who created the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has died aged 90.
Belinda, Lady Montagu was a needlework expert who made presentation cushions and kneelers for the royal family, including the late Queen Elizabeth II.
She helped Edward, Lord Montagu create Montagu Motor Museum, which became the National Motor Museum in 1972.
Her death, a few weeks before what would have been her 91st birthday, was announced in a statement issued by the museum earlier today.
It said: "The Montagu family is sad to announce the death of Belinda, Lady Montagu, first wife of Edward, Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, and mother of Ralph, the present Lord Montagu, and Mary Montagu-Scott.
"Lady Belinda passed away in her own home on Thursday 15th December. There will be a private cremation service followed by a service of thanksgiving at a later date."
Lady Belinda was renowned for her paintings, drawings and needlework.
In 1979 she was commissioned by the New Forest Association to create a 20ft applique embroidery to illustrate 900 years of the area's history.
It was completed with the help of 60 volunteers before going on display at the New Forest Heritage Centre in Lyndhurst.
Her largest commission was a series of seven embroidered wall hangings recounting the story of Beaulieu Abbey from its foundation in 1204 to its dissolution in 1538.
The hangings, which took seven years to complete, can still be seen in Beaulieu Abbey Domus.
Among her other commissions included presentation cushions for members of the royal family including the late Queen Elizabeth II and kneelers for the kneelers for Prince Edward's wedding to Sophie Rhys-Jones at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.
Edward, Lord Montagu married the former Belinda Crossley in 1959, having known her since their schooldays.
Writing in his autobiography, Wheels Within Wheels, he said: "The wedding went well and although it rained Belinda looked wonderful in a beautiful dress adorned by the family jewels.
"She came from her home near Fawley in the museum's 1906 Renault which arrived agonisingly late but that is the bride's privilege.
"One great advantage was that Belinda knew Beaulieu well, having been brought up there, and our families were old friends.
"She was therefore able to involve herself in local activities without problems and I was much aided by her cultivated tastes in redecorating the house.
"She was enormously supportive in the early days of the museum."
The couple's son, the present Lord Montagu, was born in 1961 and their daughter Mary followed in 1964. The marriage was dissolved in 1974, after which Edward married Fiona Herbert, with whom he had a second son, Jonathan, in 1975. Edward died in 2015.
Pop star David Cassidy was at the height of his fame when he stayed with the Montagu family at their ancestral home, Palace House, in 1973.
He took tea with Lady Belinda and even went fishing with her while dressed in a full-length fur coat.
An information board beside the Beaulieu River says Cassidy, who was on a UK tour, stayed in the New Forest "to escape the clamour of adoring fans".
Lady Belinda continued to live in the area after she and Edward divorced. They remained close and were often seen together.
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