Who is Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy? Royal who was the Queen’s maid of honor
Princess Alexandra made a surprise appearance in the official portraits on the occasion of the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
Princess Alexandra, 86, stands between the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as the working royals marked the end of the weekend celebrations for King Charles III’s coronation.
She may not be the most famous face in the royal family, but Lady Ogilvy was one of the late Queen’s closest friends.
But who exactly is Lady Ogilvy? Is Princess Alexandra related to the Queen? Is she a working royal?
MailOnline explains everything you need to know about Princess Alexandra, Lady Ogilvy.
Princess Alexandra, 86, stands between the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh as the working royals marked the end of celebrations for King Charles III’s official coronation
The wedding group at St James’s Palace, London, during the reception following the wedding of Princess Alexandra and Angus Ogilvy
Sir Angus Ogilvy, Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy, Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Elizabeth II’s Racing Manager Henry Herbert, 7th Earl of Carnarvon attend the Epsom Derby in June 1989
Who is Lady Ogilvy?
Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy, is a member of the royal family who was once sixth in line to the throne.
Born on Christmas Day in 1936, she is the daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent – the fourth son of King George V – and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark.
Having spent her childhood at her family’s Coppins manor in Buckinghamshire, she lived with her grandmother, Queen Mary, the widow of King George V, at Badminton House during the Second World War.
Princess Alexandra made history by becoming the first British princess to attend boarding school and study at the Heathfield School in Ascot, Berkshire.
In 1963, she married Angus Ogilvy, a businessman notable for being part of the Lonrho affair, a scandal involving Lonmin – the company of which Ogilvy was a director – and its trade with Rhodesia.
Ogilvy declined the Queen’s offer of an earldom when he married Princess Alexandra. The couple would remain married until Angus passed away in 2004 at the age of 76.
Is Princess Alexandra related to the Queen?
Princess Alexandra is the first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, through their fathers, Prince George of Kent and King George VI.
She was reportedly one of the Queen’s closest and most trusted friends.
At the time of her birth in 1936, Lady Ogilvy was sixth in line to the throne. However, as of May 2023, she is 56th in line to the throne.
Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy arrive in the royal procession on Day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse in June 2018
The Queen and HRH Princess Alexandra arrive at London’s Royal Festival Hall for a concert to benefit the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind in 1962
Princess Elizabeth, Princess Alexandra of Kent and Princess Margaret pictured outside Romsey Abbey, Hampshire, for the wedding of Captain Lord Brabourne and Patricia Mountbatten
Indeed, Princess Alexandra was a bridesmaid at Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding in 1943, while her own aforementioned wedding to Sir Angus Ogilvy 20 years later was broadcast to around 200 million people.
They were married at Westminster Abbey in a glass-carriage procession and held a white-tie ball at Windsor Castle the night before.
At the Queen’s invitation, the newlyweds spent their honeymoon in Birkhall (now the Scottish home of King Charles and Camilla).
Her relationship with the late monarch would only continue to grow over the years and she was awarded the Garter in 2003, along with an 80th birthday party at Buckingham Palace in 2016.
Princess Alexandra’s daughter, Marina, is also King Charles’ goddaughter.
Is Lady Ogilvy a working royal?
Since the late 1950s, Princess Alexandra has tirelessly carried out an extensive program of engagements in support of the Queen, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
Princess Alexandra is very active in carrying out commissions and has been one of the most active members of the Royal Family throughout her life.
Lady Ogilvy is 56th in line to the throne, but she has been an integral part of the royal family for six decades and a permanent fixture. Pictured: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s official wedding portrait
Notable representations include her standing in for the Queen when Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1960, as well as missions to Japan in 1961, helping to restore diplomatic relations after the war.
She also opened the Victoria to Brixton section of the Victoria Line on the London Underground on 23 July 1971.
Today she is as regal, hard-working and endearing as she has ever been.
The joy of the royals to see her join them for the official portrait is a testament to her popularity.