Deborah Cavendish, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, dies aged 94

The last of the famous Mitford sisters died this morning.

The Mitford sisters’ activity fascinated - and sometimes scandalised - society in the 1940s.

One of Deborah’s sisters, Unity, was a friend of Hitler and another, Diana, the second wife of British fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley.

But Deborah was more focused on her home life. Nicknamed the “housewife duchess”, she made Chatsworth one of the most successful and profitable stately homes in England.

A statement from her son, the Duke of Devonshire, said: “It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Deborah, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, has passed away peacefully this morning.”

“An announcement about funeral arrangements will be made shortly.

“The family requests media respect their privacy at this time.”