Queen's maid of honor Lady Mary Russell DIED the night before late monarch's funeral
LONDON, UK: The evening before Her Majesty's formal burial on Sept 19, the Queen's maid of honor passed away at the age of 88. On September 18, Lady Mary Russell, one of the six women who carried the late monarch's train during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, died "peacefully at home" accompanied by her family.
She was a mother of five, grandma of twelve, and "beloved wife of David," according to an obituary in The Times. The Queen's 21-foot train was assisted by Lady Mary, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Haddington, when she entered Westminster Abbey for her coronation 70 years ago. Together with the other five maids of honor, she was attired in silver dresses, tiaras, and long silk gloves.
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Speaking about the day, she said: "Of all the girls our age in the country, we six girls were chosen to carry the Queen's train and that meant a great deal. It was overwhelming and moving – especially during the anointing… It was an incredible moment, but all I could think about was how heavy the embroidery felt. "Scottish-born Lady Mary's father was a boyhood friend of the Queen Mother, and in her childhood scrapbook was a photo of him holding The Sceptre of the Dove, one of two sceptres presented to George VI during his coronation in 1937. In November 2020, Lady Moyra Campbell, one of the other six maids of honor, passed away at the age of 90.
A royal source said at the time: "It's very sad. Her Majesty kept in touch with all her former maids of honour." Currently still living are Dowager Baroness Glenconner, Lady Jane Lacey, Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, and Lady Rosemary Muir. The maids of honor, all unmarried daughters of Dukes, Marquesses, and Earls, ranged in age from 17 to 23, continuing the Queen Victoria tradition. They were in no mistake as to the significance of the honor they had received. They had to carry the Queen's train, which was so heavy that they were necessary for her to move.
The four participants in the procession who did not ride in the coach could have coffee and listen to the radio commentary of the Queen's trip from Buckingham Palace in an extension area that had specially been constructed in the Abbey. They then all proceeded to the Palace to be shot by the great Cecil Beaton and notably emerged on the balcony behind the Queen. The most emotional part of the ceremony for Lady Mary and the others was the anointing ceremony, when the Queen removed her regalia and was blessed with Holy Oil beneath a canopy carried by four Knights of the Garter. She said: "Afterwards, the Queen gave us all the most simple, beautiful brooch of her initials in her handwriting in diamonds. After the reception, I went outside the Palace with friends, and cheered and cheered so many times. I felt pretty flat afterwards."