Lady Ogilvy, a distant member of the British Royal Family, recently featured in a newly released portrait of working royals in celebration of the King’s Coronation. At 86 years old, Princess Alexandra stood between the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, with Lady Ogilvy smiling broadly by their side. Lady Ogilvy is not only the Queen’s cousin, but she was also one of her closest friends, whom she referred to as the unsung heroine of the Royal Family.
Early Life and Background
Lady Ogilvy’s father is the Duke of Kent, one of George VI’s younger brothers, and her mother was Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. Lady Ogilvy was born in London on December 25, 1936, and though her childhood was privileged, it was not without difficulties. Alexandra’s early years were scarred by the seemingly endless sales of treasured family possessions stripped from their home and retrieved from various other royal houses. They were misleadingly priced up for disposal in the salerooms as ‘surplus to requirement.’
Her mother, Princess Marina, was still plunged into the red at the bank, and the parsimonious King, George VI, bailed her out with a tiny allowance. With no real income, Lady Ogilvy’s mother “acquired a reputation for meanness,” according to her biographer, Audrey Whiting. Against this background, Alexandra became the first royal princess to be sent away to school, rather than being taught at home.
Early Royal Life
In 1947, Lady Ogilvy was a bridesmaid at the wedding of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, where she met her future husband, businessman Sir Angus Ogilvy. Lady Ogilvy’s own wedding was broadcast to around 200 million people in 1972 and attended by the Queen and other members of the Royal Family. She and Ogilvy went on to have two children, James and Marina.
A Hardworking Royal
Lady Ogilvy has become an integral part of the Royal Family and a stalwart for six decades. Her royal style is muted and unflashy, in stark contrast to some of the more lurid events that have surrounded her life. As her cousin Elizabeth became Queen, Lady Ogilvy was catapulted into a more prominent role, attending around 120 public engagements every year.
This included missions to Japan in 1961, helping to restore diplomatic relations following the war. Lady Ogilvy’s role as a working royal did not cease as she aged, and she remained hardworking and engaged in her later years.
Lady Ogilvy’s Personal Life and Family
Lady Ogilvy and her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy, were deeply in love until his death in 2004. Her son James is a landscape gardener and is close with Prince Edward, while her daughter Marina is the goddaughter of King Charles. Lady Ogilvy’s granddaughter, Flora Ogilvy, is an art curator who married Swedish financier Timothy Vesterberg in September 2020. Though they celebrated the wedding during COVID restrictions, they were able to have a larger reception in September 2021, with members of the Royal Family attending.
Conclusion
Lady Ogilvy has never put a foot wrong in a lifetime of public service. Her polished exterior conceals a history of turmoil and upset that would have caused a lesser woman to quit public duties long ago. Despite her personal difficulties, Lady Ogilvy has remained loyal to the Royal Family and has served as a hardworking and dedicated member for over six decades. Her popularity among the royals is evident in the delight they expressed in seeing her joining them for the official portrait. Lady Ogilvy is indeed the unsung heroine of the Royal Family.
