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Saturday, January 28, 2023

Lady Rupert Nevill 1925-2023

 Lady Rupert Nevill, who died 25 January, 2023, aged 97, was a close friend of Queen Elizabeth II and for many years a member of Her Majesty's inner circle.

She was the widow of Lord Rupert Nevill, CVO (1923-82), who served as private secretary to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Both Micky and Rupert Nevill were childhood friends of Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret, and Lord Rupert stood as godfather to Margaret's son, David, Viscount Linley, now Earl of Snowdon.

She was born Anne Camilla Evelyn Wallop (but always known as 'Micky'), 12 July, 1925, daughter of the 9th Earl of Portsmouth (1898-1984), and his 1st wife the former Mary Lawrence Post (died 6 Aug, 1964), daughter of Waldron Kintzing Post, of Bayport, Suffolk County, New York, United States. Micky's cousin, Jean Wallop (1934-2019), was the wife of the Queen's beloved 'Porchy', 7th Earl of Carnarvon (1924-2001).

Micky Wallop served as an officer in the Women's Royal Naval Reserve during the Second World War, and married 22 April, 1944, the Lord Rupert Charles Montacute Nevill (born 29 January, 1923), a captain in the Life Guards, second son of the 4th Marquess of Abergavenny (1883-1954), and his wife the former Isabel Nellie Larnach (who died 5 Nov, 1953). 

The Nevills lived at Horsted Place, Uckfield, Sussex, a bolt hole for Princess Margaret and Group Capt Peter Townsend during their tempestuous romance in the 1950s.

Her husband served as Treasuer to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 1970-82, and private secretary to HRH 1976-82, and was appointed CVO in 1978. He died from cancer, 19 July, 1982, aged 59, and the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince of Wales attended his funeral.

Lady Rupert is survived by a son, Christopher (born 23 Apr, 1955), who in 2000 succeeded his uncle as 6th Marquess of Abergavenny, and by two daughters, Lady Angela Nevill (born 2 Jan, 1948), once tipped as a possbible bride for the future King Charles III, and Lady Henrietta Nevill (born 21 June, 1964), a goddaughter of Prince Philip. Micky Nevill was predeceased by her elder son, Guy (1945-1993), a godson of Queen Elizabeth II and a Page of Honour to HM 1958-61.

Lady Rupert's private funeral takes place 8 February, 2023. It is expected that the King and other members of the Royal Family will be represented.

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