Earl of Harewood pays tribute to his late mother Marion Thorpe

Marion, who went on to marry Liberal Party leader Jeremy Thorpe, died on Thursday, March 6.

Her son David Lascelles, the 8th Earl of Harewood, today paid tribute to his mother.

He said: “My mum had two high-profile marriages but there was a lot more to her than just being married to someone well-known.

“She was an accomplished musician in her own right.

“Music was her great love.”

He added: “She had an incredible sense of loyalty and warmth.

“Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren adored her.”

Marion was born on October 18, 1926, in Vienna, as Maria Donata Nanetta Paulina Gustava Ermina Wilhelmine Stein, but went by the name Marion.

Her Jewish family fled Austria in 1938 and moved to London, where her father Erwin became friends with prolific composer Benjamin Britten.

After studying piano at the Royal College of Music, she married George Lascelles, the 7th Earl of Harewood, in 1949 in Mayfair, London.

Benjamin Britten wrote the piece ‘Amo Ergo Sum’ for the event.

Marion later had three sons – James, David and Jeremy Lascelles.

In 1961, she joined forces with close friend Fanny Waterman to set up the Leeds International Piano competition, which gives young musicians the chance to showcase their abilities, and is still a highlight of the musical calendar today.

Son David added: “It was something she was very proud of.”

Marion divorced the Earl of Harewood in 1967.

She married Jeremy Thorpe in 1973.

Marion, who received a CBE in 2008, is survived by three sons and a step-son, as well as 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.