Lord Fellowes, William and Harry’s uncle, dies at 82

Lord Robert Fellowes has passed away at the age of 82 on July 29 2024. He was Princess Diana’s brother-in-law, meaning he was the uncle of future King, William, and his brother Harry. The cause of death is as yet undetermined as his obituary published in the London Times tells us.

He married Diana’s older sister, Lady Jane Spencer in London in 1978 a year after he was made assistant private secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth. The two held a special bond.

In the photo at Robert and Lady Jane's wedding with Princess Diana back right.

Queen Elizabeth II relied on Lord Robert Fellowes (back right in the photo) as an aide during one of the most difficult years of her reign - the annus horribilis. In 1992, the royal family were under huge scrutiny from the world media as the family faced scandals that involved her children Charles, Anne and Andrew.

The late Queen had known little Robert Fellowes since he was a baby (and she was the princess) and is quoted as saying, 'Robert is the only one of my private secretaries I have held in my arms.’

Lord Fellowes ensured the Queen also returned to London after the death of Princess Diana when she was criticised by the public for not acting sooner. He assisted in writing her speeches and assisting her in many private and public matters.

Fellowes comes from a background always surrounded by royals. His father was Major Sir William Fellowes who was the land keeper at Sandringham. He is from an old country family line who started his career in banking before working for the royal household.

When Lord Robert Fellowes left his position as private secretary to the late Queen in 1999, he returned to private banking but was introduced to the House of Lords on the constitution committee the same year and remained technically a member of the royal household until his death on July 29.

He was made a Baron in 1999 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, a title that he gained for his life and cannot be inherited. 

Robert Fellowes had a stable private life with his wife, Lady Jane, and they had three children together: daughters Laura, 44, and Eleanor, 38, and son Alexander, 41. Laura Fellowes is the godmother of the young Princess Charlotte.

Tributes have poured in, making it clear what an upstanding gentlemen Robert Fellowes was. The Daily Beast reported a friend of the Duke of Sussex commented: “The death will be a huge blow to the Spencer family."

Earl Spencer, Diana’s younger brother said in a post on X, "My absolutely exceptional brother-in-law, Robert, is no longer with us."

The post continued, "A total gentleman - in all the best meanings of that word - he was a man of humour, wisdom and utter integrity. I'm deeply proud to have been his brother-in-law.' Rest in peace Baron Fellowes.

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