How is Eleanor Thornton British Lord Montagu of Beaulieu connected to the automobile?

Answer 1

A hundred years ago, John Walter Edward Douglas-Scott Montagu was

a member of British royalty. He fell in love with his beautiful secretary,

Eleanor Velasco Thornton. He had to keep the affair a secret because

she was just a commoner. John had Charles Sykes mold a special

(one-of-a-kind) mascot (hood ornament for the top of the radiator)

for his Rolls Royce Silver Ghost. Eleanor modeled for the mascot with

the finger of her left hand over her lips, to symbolize the keeping of the

secret. The mascot was named The Whisper.

When Rolls Royce had Charles Sykes also design the mascot for the

Rolls Royce cars, Charlie used Eleanor again as the model.

Variations of that ornament have been used ever since, and it is

generally known as the Spirit of Ecstasy.

John married a woman of royalty, but kept his affair with Eleanor,

whom he had a daughter with. The daughter was fostered, and only knew

John as "Uncle."

When John was sent to India, Eleanor joined him on the SS Persia.

The ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat, and it sank.

Eleanor drowned.

John was devastated, but he could not publicly mourn Eleanor's death.

However, almost every Rolls Royce made after that time would have the

mascot to immortalize Eleanor, the Spirit of Ecstasy.

The ornament is also known more generically as the Flying Lady.