George Villiers, 4th Viscount Grandison

George Villiers, 4th Viscount Grandison was an Anglo-Irish peer from the Villiers family. He is known for being the maternal grandfather of Pitt the elder, prime minister of Great Britain from 1766 to 1768. He was also the uncle of two royal mistresses, Barbara Villiers (mistress of Charles II of England), and Elizabeth Hamilton, Countess of Orkney (presumed mistress of William III of England).[1][2]

George Villiers, 4th Viscount Grandison
Villiers by Peter Lely
Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard
In office 1662–1689
Monarchs	Charles II James II William III
Preceded by	The Earl of Norwich
Succeeded by	Viscount Mandeville
Personal details
Born	(1618-07-21)July 21, 1618
Died	December 16, 1699(1699-12-16) (aged 81)
Spouse	Mary Leigh
Children	Audrey Harrison, Edward FitzGerald-Villiers, Mary Byde
Parent(s)	Edward Villiers, Barbara St. John

He inherited the title Viscount Grandison upon the death of John Villier, 3rd Viscount Grandison. His son, Edward FitzGerald-Villiers died in 1693, so the title went to his grandson, John Villiers, 1st Earl Grandison. He married Lady Mary Leigh, the daughter of Francis Leigh, 1st Earl of Chichester.[3] His second wife was Mary Garford, daughter of Richard Garford.[4][5]

Villiers was knighted in 1644, most likely because he supported the royalist cause. In 1662, He was appointed Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, and remained in that position until 1689, when he was removed from it by King William III. As captain, he was one of the most senior figures in the Royal household, which resulted in him walking immediately behind James II of England, during his coronation procession in 1685.[4]