The King and Queen were represented by Sir Brian Ivory, CVO, CBE, at the Funeral of the Dowager Countess of Airlie (former Lady of the Bedchamber to The late Queen Elizabeth II) which was held at Cortachy, by Kirriemuir, Angus, 30 August, 2024.
Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy, sister-in-law of the Countess, was represented by her children, Mr James Ogilvy and Miss Marina Ogilvy.
The Dowager Countess of Airlie, who died 17 August, 2024, aged 91, was widow of the 13th Earl of Airlie, and the first American to serve as a lady in waiting to the sovereign.
The King paid tribute to the Countess of Airlie, his mother's close confidant and first American lady in waiting following news of her death.
Virginia 'Ginny' Ryan was the first American to have served as a lady-in-waiting to the late Queen when she was appointed lady of the bedchamber in 1973 – and was with her until Her Majesty's death, 8 September 2022.
Lady Airlie lived at Cortachy Castle, Kirriemuir, Angus, and had a London home in Sloane Court West, SW3.
So close were they that the late Queen made what is believed to have been her only visit to a nightclub when she visited Annabel's in 2003 to celebrate the 70th birthday of Lady Airlie.
A statement released from Buckingham Palace yesterday read: 'His Majesty was deeply saddened to hear the news, having known Lady Airlie for so much of his life and having so greatly appreciated her immense devotion and dedicated service to Her late Majesty over so many years.'
King Charles is on holiday in Scotland but has spoken with the countess's family to express his sympathies. Lady Airlie's husband David – himself a childhood friend of the late Queen – was the 13th Earl of Airlie and Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle until his death last year at the age of 97.
The couple, who married in October 1952, were key figures in the late Queen's royal household – regularly staying at Sandringham and Balmoral. The wedding took place at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster. The late Queen, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were all in attendance at what the Telegraph called ‘a major society event’ – so much so it featured on the news.
She was born 9 February, 1933, daughter of John Barry Ryan Jr, of Moorland Farm, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, by his wife the former Margaret Dorothy Kahn (1901-1995), daughter of Otto Kahn (1867-1934), the American investment banker and philanthropist; and married 23 Oct, 1952, the then David George Coke Patrick Ogilvy, styled Lord Ogilvy (born 17 May, 1926), son and heir of the 12th Earl of Airlie, KT, GCVO, MC (1893-1968), and his wife the Lady Alexandra Marie Bridget Coke (died 1984), daughter of the 3rd Earl of Leicester, GCVO, CMG (1848-1941). Her husband succeeded his father in the earldom, 28 Dec, 1968.
The countess was a sister-in-law of the Hon Sir Angus Ogilvy, KCVO, PC, who married Princess Alexandra of Kent in 1963.
Her husband was cr GCVO 1984; Chancellor of the Royal Victorian Order 1984-87; Privy Councillor 1984; Lord Chamberlain of the Household 1984-87; sworn of the Privy Council 1984; Knight of the Thistle 1985; Lord Lieutenant of Angus from 1989; received the Royal Victorian Chain 1997. He died 26 June, 2023.
Virginia Airlie was a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II 1973-2022. The office of Lady or Woman of the Bedchamber and is now defunct, and the ladies attending HM Queen Camilla are now styled 'Queen's Companions'. Sje was appointed DCVO in 1995.
She leaves three sons and three daughters. Her eldest son, David (born 9 March, 1958), succeeded his father in the peerages, the second son is the Hon Bruce Ogilvy (born 7 Apr, 1959), and the third son is the Hon Patrick Ogilvy (born 24 Mar 1971), the daughters are Lady Doune (born 13 Aug 1953), Lady Jane (born 24 Jun 1955), and Lady Elizabeth (born 4 June, 1965).
-=-
No comments:
Post a Comment