The Lady Farnham | |
---|---|
Born | Diana Marion Gunnis 24 May 1931 |
Died | 29 December 2021 90) | (aged
Occupation | Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Diana Marion Maxwell, Baroness Farnham, DCVO, JP (née Gunnis; 24 May 1931 – 29 December 2021) was a British courtier who served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II from 1987 until her death in 2021.
Biography
Born Diana Marion Gunnis on 24 May 1931, she was the elder daughter of Nigel Eric Murray Gunnis, of Branden, Sissinghurst, Kent.[1] In 1959, she married Barry Maxwell, 12th Baron Farnham. They adopted two daughters, Harriet and Sophia.[2]
Lady Farnham was named a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II on 4 August 1987 upon the retirement of Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny.[3] Owing to her connections to Ireland, Lady Farnham accompanied The Queen on her landmark state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011. In 2012, during the Diamond Jubilee, she notably rode alongside The Queen to St Paul's Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving after Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was hospitalized.[4][2]
Lord and Lady Farnham donated the Farnham collection of photographs, mementos, letters, war medals and papers relating to the Farnham family and their connection to County Cavan to the Cavan County Museum and the National Library of Ireland.[5][6][7][8]
She died on 29 December 2021 at the age of 90. Her funeral was held in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, on 14 January 2022. Dame Mary Morrison represented The Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended.[9] Her ashes were interred in Kilmore Cathedral.[4][2][10]
Honours
- Royal Victorian Order:
- 1 January 1998: Commander (CVO)[11]
- 12 June 2010: Dame Commander (DCVO)[12]
References
- ↑ Morris, Susan (20 April 2020). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019. Debrett's. p. 2594. ISBN 978-1999767051. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- 1 2 3 Tominey, Camilla (2 January 2022). "Sadness for the Queen as her devoted lady-in-waiting, Lady Farnham, dies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ↑ "No. 51019". The London Gazette. 4 August 1987. p. 9885.
- 1 2 Malvern, Jack (2 January 2022). "Queen's lady-in-waiting Diana, Lady Farnham dies aged 90". The Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ↑ "The Farnham Gallery". Cavan County Museum. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ↑ Farnham, Simon Maxwell, 13th Baron (3 January 2022). ""Lady Farnham was a very impressive individual," - Ryan". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Unique family photo collection launched". The Anglo-Celt. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ↑ Cherry, Jonathan. "Farnham Papers" (PDF). National Library of Ireland. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ↑ "Court Circular: January 14, 2022". The Times. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ↑ "Farnham, Diana: Death notice". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ↑ "No. 54993". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1997. p. 4.
- ↑ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 3.