A trusted advisor to the Queen, Sir Michael Oswald, has tragically died at the age of 86.
Sir Michael advised the Queen and the Queen Mother, playing a key role in their horse racing interests for nearly 30 years.
He was the Queen's former manager of the Royal Studs and was often pictured by the Queen's side at racing events.
Sir Michael died following a long illness, it is reported.
He died on April 17, the day of Prince Philip's funeral, according to the Times.
Oswald's widow, Lady Angela, who was also a lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother for many years, paid tribute to her husband.
She told The Racing Post : "He always said he had the most wonderful job anybody could ever have had and that for all his working life he was simply doing what he would have done had he been a rich man who didn't have to work."
The Queen's racing adviser John Warren said he'd done a "magnificent" job managing the Royal Studs.
Mr Warren said: "He was deeply committed to the studs, the Queen and the Queen Mother.
"He was extraordinarily enthusiastic and got such a buzz out of all the royal winners."
Sir Michael is said to have been very close with both the Queen and the Queen Mother.
He has been described in tributes as "charming," "amazing" and "the most lovely man".
