Nina Hamilton, The Mistress

Born 1878

Died 1951

Admiral John Fisher and Nina Douglas-Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton, met through her husband Alfred Douglas-Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton. The Duke of Hamilton was Jacky’s Midshipman in 1898 on the H.M.S Renown.

After marrying the Duke of Hamilton in 1901 she gave birth to 7 children and her last daughter, Mairi, was Jacky’s god-daughter. Jacky was a trustee to the Hamilton Estate. The Duchess of Hamilton was a passionate animal rights campaigner and she set up Ferne Animal Sanctuary at Ferne House in Dorset.

Jacky was entranced with Nina herself, her name and her connection to Lady Emma Hamilton and Admiral Nelson. Although 30 years his junior, he found her to be intellectually and exciting, particularly on the religious front. Nina was dynamic, assertive and a formidable character. She massaged Jacky’s ego and sought to drive his passion for the British Navy.

The relationship between John Fisher and Nina was somewhat a mystery. The Fisher family cannot know all of the details, but what we do know is that there was a mutual infatuation between them and that Jacky confided in Nina - about everything.