Britain's Prince Charles has paid tribute to the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire following her death yesterday (24.09.14).
The 65-year-old royal said himself and his wife Duchess Camilla were "deeply saddened" to learn the last of the Mitford sisters who they "adored and admired" had sadly passed away, aged 94.
In a statement, he said: "She was a unique personality with a wonderfully original approach to life, and a memorable turn of phrase to match that originality.
"The joy, pleasure and amusement she gave to so many, particularly through her books, as well as the contribution she made to Derbyshire throughout her time at Chatsworth, will not easily be forgotten and we shall miss her so very much."
The Dowager Duchess, whose full name is Deborah Vivien Cavendish, moved into Chatsworth House in Derbyshire after marrying Andrew Cavendish, who became the 11th Duke of Devonshire, and made it one of the most successful tourist attractions in Britain.
Prince Charles added: "She and Andrew were very much the forerunners in operating these houses as a business. They led the field on a very large scale.
"They were the first to champion commercialisation and to say, 'We have to live in this place too so that everyone can see we are real people and not fossils.' Deborah really threw herself at it. It was a phenomenal undertaking and she was so successful."
Deborah's son, the Duke of Devonshire, announced his mother had passed away yesterday afternoon and funeral arrangements would be made soon.
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