She was a first cousin once removed of Queen Elizabeth II and sister of Patrick Anson, 5th Earl of Lichfield.

In 1960, her paternal grandfather, the 4th Earl of Lichfield, died and her brother, Patrick, inherited the title and family seat, Shugborough Hall near Great Haywood, Staffordshire.

Despite the estate's passing to the National Trust in lieu of death duties, Lord Lichfield maintained an apartment for himself and his sister.

[4] Following the stress of planning her own debutante ball in 1959, Lady Elizabeth founded the firm Party Planners in 1960.

[9][3] As the stepdaughter of a Danish prince, Shakerley also attended many royal events in continental Europe, including the birthday celebrations of the King Harald V of Norway (her stepfather's first cousin) and the funeral of Jean, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

[3][13][14] She is buried in the Anson family vault at St Michael and All Angels Church, Colwich, Staffordshire, near Shugborough Hall.

The Countess of Wessex (representing Queen Elizabeth II), Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar attended.