Wellington was 28 when his first cousin Henry, the 6th Duke, was killed in action aged 31 while serving in Italy during the Second World War.

[7] Following the war, the 1st Household Cavalry Regiment disbanded,[8] and he returned to Royal Horse Guards, where he was promoted to lieutenant in 1946,[7] and advanced to the rank of captain later that year.

[citation needed] Wellington was involved in business as a Director of Massey Ferguson Holdings Ltd from 1967 to 1989 and of Motor Iberica SA (Spain) from 1967 to 1999.

[16] Through his final years, the Duke continued to conduct public engagements, most recently at the Order of the Garter investiture, 16 June 2014.

[17] Wellington died peacefully at his home, Stratfield Saye Estate, near Basingstoke, on New Year's Eve.

[22] On 26 December 1941, as Second Lieutenant Wellesley, Wellesley was awarded the Military Cross[6] "in recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East (including Egypt, East Africa, The Western Desert, The Sudan, Greece, Crete, Syria and Tobruk) during the period February, 1941, to July, 1941".

[23] Wellington was appointed a Member (Fourth Class) of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) on 15 March 1952.

He was made an Officer (Military) of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on 7 February 1958 "in recognition of distinguished services in Cyprus for the period 1st July to 31st December, 1957".