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Lot Essay
Bapsy, Marchioness of Winchester (1902-1995), neé Bapsybanoo Pavry, was the daughter of the Most Reverend Khursedji Erachji Pavry, High Priest of the Parsees in India. Presented at court in 1928, she met 'Monty', the 16th Marquess of Winchester the following year. In July 1952 she became his third wife; she was 51 and he was 90.
By September there was news that the new Marchioness was seeking a divorce for non-consumation of the marriage. The Marquess retreated to the home of Eve Fleming, with whom he lived until he died in 1962, still officially married to Bapsy. Eve and Bapsy became famous enemies, engaging in litigation between 1952 and 1958, Bapsy suing Eve for the alleged enticement of her husband.
In widowhood the Marchioness lived in London, somewhat shunned by the establishment. She and her brother, Dr. Pavry shamelessly devoted themselves to acquiring tickets to public events such as the Silver Jubilee Gala at Covent Garden. It was not unusual to see them at Royal Ascot in view of the Royal Box, looking up at the Queen, their backs resolutely turned on the racing itself. After Dr. Pavry's death in 1985 the Marchioness spent her last years in India.
By September there was news that the new Marchioness was seeking a divorce for non-consumation of the marriage. The Marquess retreated to the home of Eve Fleming, with whom he lived until he died in 1962, still officially married to Bapsy. Eve and Bapsy became famous enemies, engaging in litigation between 1952 and 1958, Bapsy suing Eve for the alleged enticement of her husband.
In widowhood the Marchioness lived in London, somewhat shunned by the establishment. She and her brother, Dr. Pavry shamelessly devoted themselves to acquiring tickets to public events such as the Silver Jubilee Gala at Covent Garden. It was not unusual to see them at Royal Ascot in view of the Royal Box, looking up at the Queen, their backs resolutely turned on the racing itself. After Dr. Pavry's death in 1985 the Marchioness spent her last years in India.