The Queen loses one of her closest confidantes days before 70th anniversary
<p>The past year has involved a lot of celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>If royal speculation is anything to go by, the Queen may also soon be celebrating Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle.</p>
<p>However, this year has also been filled with grief for Her Majesty, including the loss of a close family member just this week.</p>
<p>The Queen’s first cousin Davina, Countess of Stair, has passed away at the age of 87.</p>
<p>She was the daughter of Sir David Bowes-Lyon and would regularly attend royal occasions.</p>
<p>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”.</p>
<p>According to Daily Mail’s Sebastian Shakespeare, the Queen has already lost two lifelong friends in the past year.</p>
<p>Prince Philip has also mourned his first cousin, his former secretary and a close friend, this year. </p>
