Camilla Queen Consort faces fresh heartbreak after tragic death in family

The Queen Consort has been given some upsetting news

Camilla Queen Consort looking upset
(Image credit: Getty)

Camilla Queen Consort is facing fresh heartbreak after news that her brother-in-law- of more than 50 years has died.


Camilla Queen Consort is mourning the death of her beloved brother-in-law Simon Elliot, who was married to her younger sister Annabel.

The businessman and land owner was 82 when he passed away, having previously joined newlyweds King Charles and Camilla during their honeymoon at Birkhall in Scotland in 2005 and he also accompanied her at the James Bond premiere of No Time to Die in 2021, according to The Sun.

His death is said to come after a long illness and he leaves behind his wife Annabel, 74, and their three children Alice, Catherine and former Conservative Party chairman Ben Elliot.

Annabel married Simon in 1972 when she was 23 - a year before Camilla was first married. They lived in a country house in the Dorset village of Stourpaine where Charles and Camilla would meet for discreet weekends.

A close friend said, “He was beyond courageous in his last few months, his family and friends are devastated to lose a man whose middle name was loyalty. He was a fount of common sense and wisdom and it is a great sadness that he has gone so early.”

Both Annabel and Camilla faced heartbreak back in April 2014 when their younger brother Mark Shand tragically died after suffering head injuries following a fall in New York.

Simon Elliot and wife Annabel Elliot

(Image credit: Getty)

Annabel works as an interior designer and antiques dealer - she was even employed by King Charles and is chief interior designer of his estates.

Annabel is the second of three children born to Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt, with Camilla the eldest.

It's not yet clear whether Camilla will put royal engagements on hold following her family loss but later this month she is expected to join husband King Charles on his first state visit as monarch to France and Germany.

Mr Elliot was also close to King Charles and accompanied him on a number of Middle Eastern diplomatic functions when he was Prince of Wales. 

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)