One of the Queen's closest friends and most trusted confidants has died at the age of 90.
Lady Diana Farnham was the monarch's lady-in-waiting, acting as her Lady of the Bedchamber since 1987.
Lady Farnham supported the Queen for decades, most publicly during the 2021 Diamond Jubilee celebrations when she stepped in for Prince Philip who was unable to attend as he was unwell.
A source told The Telegraph: “It is very sad for the Queen. Everyone loved Lady Farnham, she was always so good humoured. She was also a very glamorous and attractive woman.
“It has not been a good year for the Queen – losing her husband and then the Duchess of Grafton and now Lady Farnham.
“They were dear friends who supported the Queen on official duties.”
Lady Farnham passed away on December 29, just four days after Christmas.
Her death comes just months after the passing of the Duchess of Grafton, another of the Queen's ladies in waiting, with whom she was also extremely close.
Ann Fortune FitzRoy passed away in December after serving the Royal Household throughout the Queen's 69-year reign.
She was appointed the Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 1980, an honour given by the Queen for services to the sovereign.
The Queen was made the godmother to Ann's second daughter in 1954.
Lady Farnham's death came at the end of a difficult year for Queen, which many are referring to as second 'annus horribilis '.
In 2021 she saw a member of her family accused of racism, her son accused of sexual assault and her husband of 73 years passed away.
Her grandson Prince Harry tried to establish a new life in California with his wife Meghan Markle, but in doing so made a series of damaging allegations about his now-estranged family.
Meanwhile Prince Andrew faced accusations of sexual assault in relation to his time spent with convicted sex offender and friend Jeffery Epstein.
And that's not to mention the challenges we've all faced with the ongoing pandemic, which has touched the life of the Queen and largely forced her to reign remotely.
