Anecdotes

She was born in a Florentine palace that had once belonged to the Italian royal family.

She is perhaps best remembered as the multilingual presenter of the Eurovision Song Contest for four years, as well as for her frequent appearances on TV panel shows.

Was a model for Vogue Magazine.

Was thrown out of four of the six schools she attended in Italy and Switzerland.

Owned Yorkshire terriers and was a committee member of Battersea Dogs Home for more than 25 years.

Was an on-screen continuity announcer for the BBC in the 1950s.

For 20 years she ran an agony aunt column in the TV Times, and, from the 90,s one for animal lovers in Dogs Today.

Appeared in commercials for Camay soap.

Her first husband succeeded as the 9th Earl of Shannon in 1963.