Lady Ogilvy, the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth and a bridesmaid at her 1947 wedding, was featured in a newly-released portrait of working royals to mark the end of the King’s Coronation celebrations.
Princess Alexandra, 86, stood between the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, with the couple sweetly supporting Lady Ogilvy.
Known for her unwavering dedication to public service, Lady Ogilvy has been described as “the most efficient working princess in the world” by one biographer. She was a close friend of the late Queen and is often referred to as the “unsung heroine” of the Royal Family. Her understated yet elegant royal style contrasts with the dramatic events that have marked her life.
Lady Ogilvy was a bridesmaid at the 1943 wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and her marriage to businessman Sir Angus Ogilvy 20 years later was broadcast to around 200 million people. She is currently 56th in line to the throne and has been a steadfast member of the Royal Family for six decades.
Born to the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, Alexandra’s early years were marked by financial hardship, leading to her being the first royal princess sent to school, rather than being taught at home. Despite the challenges faced by her family, Lady Ogilvy remained a hardworking and active royal, attending around 120 public engagements per year, including diplomatic missions to Japan.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers called Lady Ogilvy “a sort of national treasure” and “the most royal of all of them,” commending her lifelong commitment to royal duties.
