Diana Marion Maxwell, Baroness Farnham, DCVO, JP (née Gunnis; 24 May 1931 – 29 December 2021) was a British courtier who served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II from 1987 until her death in 2021.
The Lady Farnham | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Lady Farnham in 2010 | |
| Born | Diana Marion Gunnis 24 May 1931 |
| Died | 29 December 2021 (aged 90) |
| Occupation | Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Life
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Born Diana Marion Gunnis on 24 May 1931, she was the elder daughter of Nigel Eric Murray Gunnis, of Branden, Sissinghurst, Kent, and Elizabeth Mary Morrison, a first cousin of Lord Margadale.[1] Her paternal grandmother, Ivy Marion Gunnis née Streatfeild, was a daughter of Marion Henrietta Smith of Blendon Hall, Kent, whose sister Frances was the paternal grandmother of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, making her and Queen Elizabeth II third cousins. In 1959, she married Barry, 12th Baron Farnham. They adopted two daughters, Harriet and Sophia.[2]
Lady Farnham was named a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II on 4 August 1987 upon the retirement of Patricia, Marchioness of Abergavenny.[3] Owing to her connections to Ireland through her maternal grandmother, a daughter of Lord Trevor, Lady Farnham accompanied the Queen on her landmark state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011. In 2012, during the Diamond Jubilee, she notably rode alongside the Queen to St Paul's Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving after Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was hospitalized.[4][2]
Lord and Lady Farnham donated the Farnham collection of photographs, mementos, letters, war medals and papers relating to the Farnham family and their connection to County Cavan to the Cavan County Museum and the National Library of Ireland.[5][6][7][8]
She died on 29 December 2021 at the age of 90. Her funeral was held in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, on 14 January 2022. Her cousin the Hon. Mary Morrison represented the Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended.[9] Her ashes were interred in Kilmore Cathedral.[4][2][10]
Honors
edit| Country | Date | Appointment | Ribbon | Post-nominal letters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 31 December 1997 | Commander of the Royal Victorian Order | 
|
CVO | Promoted to DCVO in 2010 |
| United Kingdom | 12 June 2010 | Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order |
|
DCVO | |
| United Kingdom | 6 February 2002 | Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal | 
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| United Kingdom | 6 February 2012 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal | 
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| United Kingdom | 6 February 2022 | Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal | 
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References
edit- ^ Morris, Susan (20 April 2020). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019. Debrett's. p. 2594. ISBN 978-1999767051. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Tominey, Camilla (2 January 2022). "Sadness for the Queen as her devoted lady-in-waiting, Lady Farnham, dies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "No. 51019". The London Gazette. 4 August 1987. p. 9885.
- ^ a b Malvern, Jack (2 January 2022). "Queen's lady-in-waiting Diana, Lady Farnham dies aged 90". The Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ "The Farnham Gallery". Cavan County Museum. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Farnham, Simon Maxwell, 13th Baron (3 January 2022). ""Lady Farnham was a very impressive individual," - Ryan". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Unique family photo collection launched". The Anglo-Celt. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Cherry, Jonathan. "Farnham Papers" (PDF). National Library of Ireland. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Court Circular: January 14, 2022". The Times. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Farnham, Diana: Death notice". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.