The Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) is a charitable, non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, voluntary American society of women of Commonwealth of Nations birth or ancestry. Its members are professionals, businesswomen, and homemakers with common interests and heritage, who meet regularly for business and social events with the common cause of philanthropy. The society was founded in the United States on March 15, 1909, as the Imperial Order, Daughters of the Empire in the U.S.A., and became the National Society, Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. in 1920. The National Society is incorporated in the State of Delaware.
The Society is affiliated with the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire in Canada (I.O.D.E.); the Victoria League in London, England; and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in the United States.
The Honorary President of the DBE is the British Ambassador to the U.S. or the Ambassador's wife.
For over 100 years, The Daughters of the British Empire in the U.S.A. has been a common bond for women of Commonwealth of Nations heritage living in America. Members, joining together in fellowship, contribute significantly to the good of their local communities and support our retirement homes for men and women established by the DBE.
Currently, Florida, one of the eight States in our Southern District, has four chapters. Florida DBE members continue supporting exceptional care for seniors and our legacy of donating to vulnerable members in our local communities. Our major charity partners are LovExtension, a social services organization in Tavares, Florida, and one of our remaining DBE Homes, Cantata Adult Life Services in Illinois.
A historical reminder of the DBE Home we all supported for over 100 years
Over the years, MBH was visited by King Charles III (February 19th, 1986) and Patricia, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. Countess Mountbatten visited during the construction of the third wing and was most interested in walking the site and perusing the plans. She presented the home with a beautiful portrait that hung in the second living area. Vanessa Redgrave also visited the Home. Claire Anstee, the Lady Mayoress of the City of London, visited the home on January 27, 2010, and presented MBH with a beautiful piece of Wedgewood Jasperware depicting the Coat of Arms of the City of London.
The story of Mountbatten House in Texas begins in 1910, when the State of Florida became part of our DBE charitable purpose to found and maintain Homes for the elderly. By 1927, our Home Fund for the DBE’s Southern District (Florida & Alabama) started with $1,049.76. The name “Mountbatten House,” chosen by popular vote of all Southern District members, was publicly unveiled by HRH Princess Anne. We’ve had the support of our Royal family over the years – King Charles when he was Prince Charles, Patricia, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Queen Elizabeth when she visited Texas. Other notable supporters include Vanessa Redgrave and Claire Anstee, the Lady Mayoress of the City of London. Unfortunately, the home officially closed to residents in September 2024.