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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Lady Aird, CVO 1934-2023

 Lady Aird, CVO, who died 11 February, 2023, aged 88, was a Lady-in-Waiting to the late Princess Margaret, and was widow of courtier Sir Alastair Aird, GCVO, private secretary to the Queen Mother.

She was born Fiona Violet Myddelton, 24 September, 1934, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Ririd Myddelton, LVO, (1902-88), Coldstream Guards, and his wife Lady Mary Margaret Elizabeth Petty-Fitzmaurice (1910-2003), sister of the 8th Marquess of Lansdowne (1912-1999).

Fiona Myddelton was appointed an Extra Lady-in-Waiting to HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in 1960, and served the princess in that capacity until HRH's death in 2002. 

She married 22 July, 1963, Alastair Sturgis Aird (born 14 January, 1931), scion of the Aird baronets, son of Malcolm Henry Aird, OBE (1899-1965), and his wife the former Joan Meredith Sturgis (died 1986). Alastair Aird served as an Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother 1960-64, and was Her Majesty's assistant private secretary from 1964 to 1973, Comptroller to the Queen Mother's Household 1974-2002; and Private Secretary to Her Majesty from 1993 until her demise, in March, 2002.

Alastair Aird was appointed LVO in 1969, advanced to CVO in 1977, KCVO in 1984, and GCVO in 1997.

Lady Aird was appointed LVO in 1980, and advanced to CVO in 2001.

She is survived by two daughters, Caroline (born 18 June, 1964), and Henrietta (born 9 June, 1966).

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