The Queen loses one of her closest confidantes days before 70th anniversary
The past year has involved a lot of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.
The 91-year-old monarch has learned that another great-grandchild is on the way and later this month she will be celebrating her 70th wedding anniversary with Prince Philip.
If royal speculation is anything to go by, the Queen may also soon be celebrating Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle.
However, this year has also been filled with grief for Her Majesty, including the loss of a close family member just this week.
The Queen’s first cousin Davina, Countess of Stair, has passed away at the age of 87.
She was the daughter of Sir David Bowes-Lyon and would regularly attend royal occasions.
A royal courtier told the Daily Mail that the Countess’ passing is “very sad” news for the Queen as “they go back a very long way”.
According to Daily Mail’s Sebastian Shakespeare, the Queen has already lost two lifelong friends in the past year.
Prince Philip has also mourned his first cousin, his former secretary and a close friend, this year.