Queen in mourning as her close friend and lady-in-waiting passes away

Lady Farnham, who has worked with the Queen since 1987, died just after Christmas, aged 90

The Queen
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen is in mourning, again, after her lady-in-waiting, Diana Maxwell, Lady Farnham, passed away just after Christmas. 



The death of her lady-in-waiting will be a shock for the Queen's, as it's her second aide to pass away in the past month.

Friend of Her Majesty and former Mistress of the Robes, the Duchess of Grafton, also passed away, at the age of 101 just weeks ago. While the Queen's husband Prince Philip also passed away, in April

The Queen with Lady Farnham

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Queen, who spent Christmas day with her son Prince Charles and Camilla, after cancelling a big festive celebration with the whole family at Sandringham House, is said to be in mourning at the loss of her good friend. Lady Farnham, also known as Diana Maxwell, had been the Queen's Lady of Bedchamber since 1987.

A source told The Telegraph, "It is very sad for the Queen. Everyone loved Lady Farnham, she was always so good-humored. She was also a very glamorous and attractive woman. She was always very generous to new people joining the household."

They went on to say, "It has not been a good year for the Queen—losing her husband and then the Duchess of Grafton and now Lady Farnham.

"They were dear friends who supported the Queen on official duties. Unfortunately, a sad consequence of living a long life is that you have to say goodbye to a lot of people you care about."

Lady Farnham had joined the Queen and Prince Philip on many royals tours and key events, including the State Opening of the Houses of Parliament and the Diamond Jubilee service in 2012.

Of course, the Queen is also mourning the death of her husband Prince Philip, who passed away aged 99, in April last year. Her Majesty paid tribute to her late husband in her traditional Christmas day speech, while also reflecting on what 2021 bought us. 

Sarah Finley

Sarah is a freelance journalist - writing about the royals and celebrities for Woman & Home, fitness and beauty for the Evening Standard and how the world of work has changed due to the pandemic for the BBC. 

 

She also covers a variety of other subjects and loves interviewing leaders and innovators in the beauty, travel and wellness worlds for numerous UK and overseas publications. 

 

As a journalist, she has written thousands of profile pieces - interviewing CEOs, real-life case studies and celebrities - interviewing everyone from Emma Bunton to the founder of Headspace.