Background
She was born Almina Victoria Maria Alexandra Wombwell, the only child of Marie Wombwell, née Boyer, the French wife of Captain Frederick Charles Wombwell, a British Army officer
She was born Almina Victoria Maria Alexandra Wombwell, the only child of Marie Wombwell, née Boyer, the French wife of Captain Frederick Charles Wombwell, a British Army officer
The couple had two children:
Lady Evelyn Leonora Almina Herbert (15 August 1901 – 1980), who married Sir Brograve Campbell Beauchamp, 2nd Baronet and had a child. The Earl of Carnarvon developed an interest in Egyptology and became the financial backer of the search for Tutankhamun"s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt, assisted by Almina"s wealth. He died on 5 April 1923, and Almina returned to Britain with his body later that month.
The Carnarvons" only son, Henry Herbert (1898–1987), succeeded his father as sixth earl.
Later in 1923 Almina married secondly Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Onslow Dennistoun. She continued to finance Howard Carter"s work in the Valley of the Kings.
Almina Dennistoun died in diminished circumstances in 1969 in Bristol, at the age of 92. After hearing about Almina"s wealth, Dorothy Dennistoun demanded the alimony she had been promised.
Carnarvon, Fiona, Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle (London: Hodder, 2011, )
Cross, William, The and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon (2011, ).