Lady Helen Taylor leads mourners at Lady Pamela Hicks' funeral – as senior royals miss event


The late Queen's former lady-in-waiting, Lady Pamela Hicks, was laid to rest on Saturday, but senior members of the royal family didn't attend the sombre occasion


Lady Helen Taylor at a funeral© Getty Images
Matthew Moore
Matthew MooreSenior Evening Writer
Updated: 2 minutes ago
Share this:

Lady Pamela Hicks, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth, was laid to rest on Saturday following her death at the age of 97 on 5 June.

Among the mourners at Prince Philip's cousin's funeral, which was held at St Bartholomew's Church in Brightwell Baldwin, was Lady Pamela's daughter India, and India's husband, David Flint Wood. There was, however, a small royal presence at the funeral, with Lady Helen Taylor, the daughter of the Duke of Kent seen among the mourners.

For the sombre occasion, Lady Helen was seen wearing a navy long-sleeved dress, alongside a dark belt and a matching hat that featured a dark veil. The royal carried with her a matching clutch bag.

Maddison Brudenell, who is Prince William's cousin, was also seen attending the event, as she arrived alongside India's daughter, Domino Flint Wood.

Domino Flint Wood and Maddison Brudenell leaving a funeral© Getty Images
Domino and Maddison were both seen leaving the funeral

India confirmed her mother's passing last week, and alongside a black-and-white image of her late parent, she penned: "My mother died peacefully today. Whilst there is no tragedy in the death of a 97-year-old who has lived a full life I know grief will be unavoidable, lurking around waiting for me, but today I am simply grateful that she was my Mother.

India Hicks being supported by a man at a funeral© Getty Images
India was supported by her husband at the funeral

"And through the prism of a crowded and remarkable past, she made incomparable company, carrying her memories lightly, and always with humour. My mother maintained right up to the end, the impeccable style, sharp mind, and effortless charm that made her not only a cherished institution, but truly the last of her kind."

A coffin being carried into a church© Getty Images
The funeral was held in Oxfordshire

Why weren't the royals there?

Despite Lady Pamela being a key part of royal life and a friend to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, no senior royals were in attendance at the funeral.

The event unfortunately clashed with Trooping the Colour, the annual celebrations of the monarch's birthday. Royals, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, were seen at Buckingham Palace taking in the annual military pageant.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla in the Ascot Landau carriage travelling to the Trooping the Colour ceremony© PA Images via Getty Images
The monarch was attending Trooping the Colour as the funeral took place

At the time of Lady Pamela's death, Buckingham Palace released a statement confirming King Charles' sadness at the passing.

The statement read: "His Majesty was greatly saddened to learn of the death of Lady Pamela Hicks, a sorrow tempered by the fondest memories and deepest gratitude for her long life and loyal service to Queen Elizabeth.

Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh with their eight bridesmaids in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace© PA Images
Lady Pamela had a close bond with the late Queen

"The King and Queen's thoughts are with Lady Pamela's family, as they mourn a woman whose warmth, wit and perspicacity always made such an impression, and who will be so dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her."

More Royalty
See more