Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy is perhaps one of The Queen most cherished relatives.
At the time of her birth, the Princess was sixth in line to the throne, behind her cousins, the then-Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret and her older brother, Prince Edward.
Due to her close connections to the Crown, Princess Alexandra, 84, often deputised for The Queen, who came to the throne in 1952, following the death of her father.
Princess Alexandra would often travel across the world, standing in for the monarch, meeting foreign dignitaries as well as meeting members of the public during what is now billed as “walkabouts”.
(Image: Getty Images)
While many believe that the late Diana, Princess of Wales was the first member of The Royal Family to carry out such engagements, Royal biographer Hugo Vickers appears to have dismissed this.
Speaking during a new Channel 5 documentary, Princess Alexandra: The Queen’s Confidant, the biographer says: “People sort of always said that Diana, Princess of Wales was the first person who engaged with the public in that way.”
(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
He added: “I’m not at all sure that Diana didn’t see Princess Alexandra as something of a role model because she was always very good when she arrived at engagements.
“She would know where the photographers were, she would turn to them, they would have a good opportunity to take the photograph that they wanted.”
While Princess Alexandra may have slowed down with her workload as she enters her ninth decade, she is still a patron of over one hundred charities and organisations.
(Image: PA)
Discussing Alexandra’s dedication to her work, Royal commentator Daisy McAndrew noted: “She’s the patron or president or spokeswoman for over 100 different charities and they all report glowingly about the contribution that she gives to those charities.”
She went on to add: “If you view being a working member of the royal family as a career, I think it’s clear to say, Princess Alexandra has the most unblemished CV of those working royals
(Image: Getty Images)
“She has continued to work harder, longer, more efficiently, pretty much than any of her contemporaries than any of the other working royals.”
Princess Alexandra is currently Deputy President of The British Red Cross Society alongside her cousin, The Queen, who is Patron.
She is also Royal Patron of the Alzheimer’s Society, which she continues to support.
Last year, the Princess gave royal enthusiasts a glimpse into her stunning home, Thatched House Lodge, during a video call while introducing the Alzheimer’s Society People Awards.
Princess Alexandra: The Queen’s Confidant airs tonight at 8.30pm on Channel 5.
It’s been a year like no other for the Queen from the loss of her husband to heartache over Prince Harry. But Her Majesty has also had a lot of cause for celebration, including the birth of baby Lilibet. To mark what a year the Queen has had, OK! Magazine is bringing you a limited edition collector’s issue. Get your hands on it here.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
