1 May 1826 by Maria II of Portugal, then still in Brazil, and was created the 5th Grand-Cross of the Portuguese Ancient and Very Noble Order of the Tower and Sword, of the Valour, Loyalty and Merit. In January 1828 he was once again appointed Ambassador to France and was raised to the Peerage of Great Britain and Ireland as Baron Stuart de Rothesay, of the Isle of Bute, at the same time. He continued as Ambassador to France until November 1830. In 1841 he was made Ambassador to Russia, a post he held until 1844. Personal life Lord Stuart de Rothesay married Lady Elizabeth Margaret, daughter of Philip Yorke, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, on 6 February 1816. They had two daughters: Hon. Charlotte Stuart (1817–1861), wife of Charles Canning, 1st Earl Canning. Hon. Louisa Anne Stuart (1818–1891), wife of Henry Beresford, 3rd Marquess of Waterford. Highcliffe Castle Early retirement from the diplomatic service allowed him to start on a project to build a new family home. By 1830 he had purchased much of the eastern end of the estate, at Highcliffe, Dorset. Highcliffe had previously been owned by his forebears, although the estate had been sold by his father. Stuart engaged William Donthorne, a founder member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, to design a new Highcliffe Castle. The castle is built on an L shaped plan, oriented on a south-east axis. An oriel window is central on the south east elevation, providing a vista across the landscaped gardens to a panorama of The Needles and Isle of Wight. Carved medieval stonework from the Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Peter at Jumieges and from the Grande Maison des Les Andelysed was used in the building of the house. Both of these buildings had fallen into disrepair after the French Revolution. A 16th-century oriel window and a stained glass window are among the castle's other notable architectural features. Later life After the Castle was completed, Charles became Ambassador to Russia in 1841. However ill-health caused his return to England and he died at Highcliffe in November 1845, aged 66, when the barony became extinct. He was buried at St Mark's Church, Highcliffe and his memorial can still be seen there. Lady Stuart de Rothesay remained a widow until her death in June 1867. References References (Originally published in 1779 births 1845 deaths People educated at Eton College Alumni of