The Queen's favourite DJ who helped host 'enormous' parties at Buckingham Palace has died age 69

The man said to be Queen Elizabeth's favourite DJ has died at the age of 69.

William Orbit was a Grammy-winning musician and producer best known for his work with Madonna, All Saints, and Blur, and perhaps surprisingly, the late Queen.

The DJ, who was born in London, was thought to have been popular amongst those at Buckingham Palace, and famously helped host one of its most "enormous" Christmas parties. His family confirmed his death in a statement posted to his Instagram account on Friday. 

It read: "He will be greatly missed by us and by so many whose lives he touched through his music, friendship and kindness. We kindly ask that the privacy of William’s family and close friends is respected during this difficult time." At the time of writing, it is not clear what the cause of his death was.

William hosted one of Buckingham Palace's most 'enormous parties'

William is said to have DJed at the late monarch's staff Christmas party at Buckingham Palace one year. At the time, he described the Queen as being "evidently fascinated". Still, he insisted that he and all other DJs performing at the royal residence must end their set with the National Anthem.

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However, the Queen didn't participate in the festivities herself. He said: "She goes to bed at nine because she's a bit old for dancing, then everyone starts going nuts," as per the Daily Mail.

Recalling the event, he described staff parties as "enormous", with every member of staff, including gardeners and security guards, present.

William Orbit's musical career

William was famed for his incredible work with several eminent musicians of all time. This included producing Madonna's 1998 album, Ray of Light, and her 2000 album, Music. The former won him two Grammys for best pop album and best dance recording.

He also helped write and perform her 1999 UK number two single, Beautiful Stranger, for which he picked up a Grammy for best song written for visual media. The hit track even appeared in the 999 film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.

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Elsewhere, he was nominated for Grammys for his work on Pink’s song Feel Good Time, his own 2000 album Pieces In A Modern Style and for record of the year for Ray Of Light.In addition to his many musical accolades, William also produced Blur's 1999 album, as well as their track Sweet Song from 2003’s Think Tank album.

William, whose real name was William Mark Wainwright, was born in London’s East End in 1956 to schoolteacher parents.He first fell in love with music at the age of 14 after discovering his uncle's tape recorder, and left school at 16 to try his luck busking in England and around Europe, where he developed his skills as a musician.

Teaming with musicians like Laurie Mayer and Grant Gilbert, he began releasing songs and a string of albums throughout the 80s and 90s, eventually becoming a pop pioneer. He later trained as a producer for other artists and launched Guerilla Records in 1990.