A CHARITY is mourning the loss of its only patron, a daughter of the Duke of Norfolk.

Lady Mary Katharine Mumford, a supporter of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, died at her home on Friday aged 76.

Charity bosses yesterday paid tribute to the second of four daughters of the 16th Duke of Norfolk, whose family home is Arundel Castle.

Ryan Heal, the charity’s chief executive, said it was a “very sad day” for the organisation.

He said: “Lady Mary Mumford cared so much about Rockinghorse and even in her latter years we kept in regular contact on our news.

“This is a very sad day for our charity as we remember our one and only patron who was personally asked by Dr Trevor Mann to take on the role back in 1967.

“We will miss her and we thank her for all she has done for Rockinghorse and beyond.”

Lady Mary, the 15th Lady Herries of Terregles, née Fitzalan-Howard, was born on August 14, 1940.

She was a Scottish peeress and daughter to Duke Bernard Marmaduke who died in 1975.

Reportedly a staunch supporter of Arundel Museum, Lady Mary also established Angmering Park Estate with her sisters after their father’s death.

The Norfolks have long been one of the most powerful families in the country. It is the premier Dukedom in the English peerage system second only to the Duke of Cornwall and also holds the position of Earl of Arundel.

In particular the family were influential during the Tudor period. Thomas Howard, the third duke of Norfolk, was one of Henry VIII’s most trusted friends.

He was also the uncle to two of his wives, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, and he played a major role in organising both marriages.

However, he fell from favour in 1546 and was imprisoned in the Tower.

Among the other prominent Dukes was Prince Richard of Shrewsbury who was the son of Edward IV, the first Yorkist King.

The next Duke, John Howard, was at the heart of one of the most important battles in English history.

He was an ally of Richard III in the War of the Roses between the house of York and house of Lancaster. He went into battle with Richard at Bosworth Field, where they were both killed.

This resulted in the start of the Tudor dynasty which changed history.