Jemma Madeleine Wellesley, Countess of Mornington (née Kidd; born 20 September 1974), is a British make up artist, fashion model, and aristocrat.

Jemma Kidd
Born
Jemma Madeleine Kidd

(1974-09-20) 20 September 1974 (age 50)
Guildford, England
Occupation(s)Make up artist, former fashion model
TitleCountess of Mornington
Spouse(s)
Arthur Wellesley, Earl of Mornington
(m. 2005; sep. 2020)
Children3
RelativesJodie Kidd (sister)
Max Aitken, 1st Baron Beaverbrook (great-grandfather)

She currently resides on the Stratfield Saye estate, Hampshire.

Biography

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Early life

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Lady Mornington is the elder daughter of Johnny Kidd, businessman and former showjumping champion,[1] and Wendy Madeline Hodge Kidd. Wendy Kidd is the daughter of Sir John Rowland Hodge, 2nd Baronet,[2] and founder of the Holder's Festival. Mornington is also a paternal granddaughter of Janet Gladys Aitken and great-granddaughter of Lord Beaverbrook, who founded The Daily Express. Her younger sister is former model Jodie Kidd.[citation needed]

Career

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Lady Mornington was a fashion model before becoming a make-up artist.[when?] In 2002, she attended the gala opening party for Le Touessrok Hotel in Mauritius.[3] In 2003, she opened her own "Make-up School" in London.

She was a director of the Jemma Kidd Make-up Limited, which was incorporated in 2005, Ghislaine Maxwell was also a director.[4] The company launched a cosmetics range in 2006, which was available in the UK (in Boots), America, Australia, Hong Kong, and Canada.

Her book Jemma Kidd Make-up Masterclass was published in 2009.[citation needed]

Jemma Kidd Make-up went into administration in October 2012.[5] It was dissolved in January 2020.[4]

Personal life

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The wedding of Jemma Kidd with Arthur Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, took place at St James Church in Holetown, Barbados, on 4 June 2005.

The couple has twins and a younger son:[6]

  • Lady Mae Madeleine Wellesley (born 4 January 2010 at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London)
  • (Arthur) Darcy Wellesley, Lord Wellesley (born 4 January 2010)
  • The Honourable Alfred Wellesley (born 10 December 2014)

Lady Mornington is separated from Lord Mornington, the heir apparent of the 9th Duke of Wellington. The couple announced their separation in August 2020.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ John Edward Aitken Kidd The Peerage.
  2. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Person Page 12060". thePeerage.com. Retrieved 26 January 2012.[unreliable source]
  3. ^ "GALA OPENING PARTY FOR THE 'ONE AND ONLY LE TOUESSROK HOTEL' , MAURITIUS - DEC 2002". Shutterstock. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b "JEMMA KIDD MAKE-UP LIMITED - Overview (free company information from Companies House)". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  5. ^ Katy Young (8 October 2012). "Jemma Kidd Cosmetics Enters Administration; The Daily Telegraph". telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  6. ^ "Telegraph announcements - Births: Mornington". telegraph.co.uk. The Telegraph. 2010.
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