Queen set for more grieving as yet another loved one dies

The Queen, The Queen third close friend dies
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen is facing more heartache after losing another close friend, just weeks after two other loved ones passed away.

The Queen faces fresh heartache after another of her long-term close friends have died - making it three people she has mourned within the space of just over a month.

Ivor Herbert was a racing journalist and horse trainer and was described as a long-term friend of Her Majesty before he died aged 96 on 5th January.

Ivor, who worked as a former Coldstream Guard, was sad to have been a regular visitor at the Queen’s Balmoral estate in Scotland.

And news of Ivor's death comes shortly after Her Majesty mourned the loss of Ann Fortune FitzRoy, the Duchess of Grafton, who died age 101 in December.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on December 23, 2021 in Windsor, England. The photograph on the desk is of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, taken in 2007 at Broadlands, Hampshire, to mark their Diamond Wedding Anniversary. (Photo by Victoria Jones - Pool/Getty Images)

Credit: Getty

And there was sadness at the start of 2022 after the monarch learned that her lady-in-waiting Lady Farnham passed away on 29th December at the age of 90.

News of Mr Herbert's death was confirmed in The Times newspaper.

The notice simply read, "Herbert Ivor died peacefully at home on the 5th of January, aged 96. Beloved father of Nick, Kate, and Jane, and grandfather to Joe. Private cremation. The details of a memorial service to follow."

He trained Arkle - the winning horse of the 1957 Cheltenham Gold Cup - and even contributed towards writing the film The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 13: Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R) and Queen Elizabeth II depart a Service of Commemoration for troops who were stationed in Afghanistan, London, England, March 13, 2015. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Credit: Getty

The Queen regularly attended horse racing with her late husband of 73 years Prince Philip and 2021 marked a sad year for the Queen who grieved for her husband who died aged 99.

The Queen’s third close friend to die also comes at a time where the monarch has suffered some health problems, stepping away from a handful of official duties after doctors ordered her to rest.

It’s understood that Prince Charles and Camilla will take up more official royal duties from now on.

Selina Maycock
Senior Entertainment Writer

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer for Goodto.com, Woman&Home, and My Imperfect Life with more than 16 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She currently writes a mix of Entertainment news - including baby news, weddings, reporting the the latest news about the Royal kids Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet as well as Family news stories. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand. When she's not interviewing celebrities you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories.