Mary Grey, Countess Grey (née Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby; 4 March 1776 – 26 November 1861) was a British aristocrat and Countess of Grey as wife of Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. She is also a great-great-great-great-grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby was born on 4 March 1776 in Whitehaven. She was the only daughter of William Ponsonby (1744–1806) the future 1st Baron Ponsonby and his wife, the Honourable Louisa Molesworth (1749–1824), daughter of Richard Molesworth, 3rd Viscount Molesworth.
She married on 18 November 1794 Mr. Charles Grey MP (1764–1845), the future 2nd Earl Grey and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Son of Charles Grey (1729–1807), later 1st Baron Grey and 1st Earl Grey, and his wife Elizabeth Grey née Grey (1743–1822). They had ten sons and six daughters:
a stillborn daughter (1796)Lady Louisa Elizabeth Grey (7 April 1797 – 26 November 1841); married John Lambton, 1st Earl of Durham, him of the Durham reportLady Elizabeth Grey (10 July 1798 – 8 November 1880); married John Crocker Bulteel (d. 10 September 1843). Their daughter, Louisa Emily Charlotte Bulteel, is one of the great-great-great-grandmothers of Diana, Princess of Wales, through her marriage with Edward Baring, 1st Baron RevelstokeLady Caroline Grey (30 August 1799 – 28 April 1875); married Capt. The Hon. George BarringtonLady Georgiana Grey (17 February 1801 – 1900); never marriedHenry George Grey, 3rd Earl Grey (28 December 1802 – 9 October 1894), eldest son, who became a politician like his fatherGeneral Sir Charles Grey (15 March 1804 – 31 March 1870), father of Albert Grey, 4th Earl GreyAdmiral Sir Frederick William Grey (23 August 1805 – 2 May 1878)Lady Mary Grey (2 May 1807 – 6 July 1884); married Charles Wood, 1st Viscount HalifaxHon. William Grey (13 May 1808 – 11 February 1815)Admiral The Hon. George Grey (16 May 1809 – 3 October 1891) married Jane Frances, daughter of Gen Hon Sir Patrick StuartHon. Thomas Grey (29 December 1810 – 8 July 1826)Rev. Hon.John Grey MA, DD (2 March 1812 – 11 November 1895) Canon and Rector of DurhamRev.Francis Richard Grey (31 March 1813 – 22 March 1890) married Lady Elizabeth Howard (1816–1891), daughter of George Howard, 6th Earl of Carlisle and Georgiana Cavendish (daughter of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire).Hon. Henry Cavendish Grey (16 October 1814 – 5 September 1880) Army CaptainHon. William George Grey (15 February 1819 – 19 December 1865) married Theresa Catherine, only daughter of Maj-Gen Count Stedink, Insp-Gen of Cavalry Sweden.Later life and death
Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834. Mary Grey, Countess Grey, was widowed on 17 July 1845. She lived until 26 November 1861, when she died aged 85 in Eaton Square, London.
Titles and styles
1776–1794: Miss Mary Ponsonby1794–1801: Mrs. Charles Grey1801–1806: The Honourable Mrs. Charles Grey1806–1807: Viscountess Howick1807–1845: The Right Honourable The Countess Grey1845–1861: The Right Honourable The Dowager Countess Grey