Elizabeth Curzon, Countess Howe


Elizabeth Helen Curzon, Countess Howe is a British peeress, educator and philanthropist who has served as Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire since 27 November 2020.

Early life and education

Lady Howe was born Elizabeth Helen Stuart, on 12 November 1955, to Burleigh Edward St Lawrence Stuart and Joan Elizabeth Platts. She was raised in Buckinghamshire and was educated at Headington School in Oxford. She obtained a Bachelor of Education from the University of Cambridge.

Career

After completing university, Lady Howe began teaching in Newmarket and London. She has worked as a governor and volunteer music teachers in schools in Buckinghamshire.
In 1995, Lady Howe was made a deputy lieutenant of Buckinghamshire. She served as High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire from 2010 to 2011. She was appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire on 26 June 2020. She took office upon the retirement of Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, 8th Baronet, on 27 November 2020. She is the first woman to hold the position, which was established in 1535 by King Henry VIII.
Lady Howe holds a number positions in local charitable organizations. She is chairman of Heart of Bucks Community Foundation, patron of Milton Keynes Islamic Art, Heritage and Culture, and president of the Epilepsy Society.
In 2023, as lord-lieutenant, Lady Howe attended the coronation of King Charles III with her husband.

Marriage and family

On 26 March 1983, Elizabeth Stuart married Frederick Curzon. The following year, Curzon succeeded his second cousin as 7th Earl Howe, thus making his wife Countess Howe.
The Earl and Countess have four children: Lady Anna Curzon ; Lady Flora Curzon ; Lady Lucinda Curzon ; and Thomas, Viscount Curzon. The family resides at Penn House in Penn, Buckinghamshire.

Honours