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The queen suffered another heartbreaking loss last week when her close friend and confidante, Ann Fortune Fitzroy, Duchess of Grafton, passed away at the age of 101.
She was also Her Majesty’s lady-in-waiting and Prince Charles is expected to perform the queen’s next public engagement for her.
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Ann was first the queen’s Lady of the Bedchamber. Next the Duchess was named Mistress of the Robes in 1967, a title she held until her death. What did Ann’s titles entail? According to The Sun, “The position required the Lady to tend to Her Majesty’s style and ensure that all her clothes and jewelry were always up to scratch. However, in recent times, its purpose has evolved to become more focused on administrative matters.”
To this end Ann would likely have arranged, “the rota of attendance of her fellow ladies in waiting and for delegating royal duties amongst the group.”
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In 1953 when Ann was named Lady of the Bedchamber her duties entailed being the queen’s personal assistant behind-the-scenes. This meant she helped her to get ready for the events of the day. Ann also had the privilege of traveling with the monarch, and she traveled to places such as Nigeria and Russia in her role.
According to the outlet, Ann was the consummate loyal employee. She was always ready and willing to assist the queen, for nearly 70 years. She was a trusted confidante who never once slipped up to say something she shouldn’t have when dealing with the media.
Owing to her behind-the-scenes role, not much has been published about Ann whose job it was to make sure the queen was always prepared and ready for whatever was on her calendar. Nonetheless it is thought that Ann and the queen had much in common as might be expected. A former footman described her as “elegant” and, “well-spoken with impeccable manners, just like Her Majesty.”
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Ann had five children and it is believed that the funeral arrangements, which have not yet been disclosed, will be arranged for by her children.
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