Longtime lady-in-waiting for Queen Elizabeth II and Countess of Airlie, Virginia Ogilvy, died last month at the age of 91.
Lady Elizabeth Baring, the daughter of the countess, confirmed that she died on Friday, Aug. 16 in the village of Cotachy in Scotland at her estate. Lady Ogilvy spent almost half a century as a lady-in-waiting of Elizabeth until the monarch’s death in September 2022. She was also the only member of this inner circle of close friends, assistants, and advisers to the queen who was born in America.
There are different types of ladies-in-waiting, a position that dates back to the Middle Ages. They performed such tasks as handling correspondence for the queen, running household administration, event planning, and more. Lady Ogilvy held the specific position of Lady of the Bedchamber. The wife of one of the queen’s peers is traditionally chosen for the position, which entails overseeing all women of the bedchamber and carrying out all related duties.
The role comes without benefits or a salary, but it’s also more than just a job. Ladies-in-waiting were also supposed to be confidants and best friends to the queen, and the role required the utmost discretion. Elizabeth was already childhood friends with David Ogilvy, the Earl of Airlie and Lady Ogilvy’s husband and the couple was part of the queen’s closest social circle. Lady Ogilvy became Lady of the Bedchamber in 1973 and Lord Ogilvy also joined the royal household as Lord Chamberlain in 1984 until 1997. Lord Ogilvy served in several other honorable positions before his death in June 2023.
Lady Ogilvy had a renowned sense of style and could often be spotted standing to the left of her during ceremonies. She was Elizabeth’s essential companion in social situations, and the two shared common, subtle sign language with which to communicate during events. For example, if the queen twisted her wedding ring, that meant she needed to be rescued from a conversation and grew tired of talking.
Lady Ogilvy was also a frequent travel companion of the queen for foreign affairs and was present during diplomatic visits, such as when former President Donald Trump visited in 2018.
She is survived by six children, 14 grandchildren, as well as eight great-grandchildren.
