Elizabeth Quill, (known as Kitty) was born in Kingstown, Ireland in 1861.  At some stage she moved to London where she met a labourer David Quill. Although they lived in London Kitty spent the summer in Eastbourne where she lodged and did a brisk business as a flower seller. The Dukes of Devonshire regularly hosted…

On 21st August 1878 a royal party arrived at Eastbourne from the Isle of Wight.  This group consisted of Louis IV, the Grand Duke of Hesse and his wife Princess Alice, the Grand Duchess of Hesse. Princess Alice was the second daughter of Queen Victoria and had been visiting her mother at Osborne House. The…