Diana Maxwell, Baroness Farnham

Diana Marion Maxwell, Baroness Farnham, DCVO, JP (née Gunnis; 24 May 1931 – 29 December 2021) was a British courtier who served as Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II from 1987 until her death in 2021.

The Right Honourable

The Lady Farnham

DCVO JP
Lady Farnham in 2010
Born
Diana Marion Gunnis

(1931-05-24)24 May 1931
Died29 December 2021(2021-12-29) (aged 90)
OccupationLady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1959; died 2001)​
Children2

Biography
Lady Farnham walking behind Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to Toronto in 2010

Born Diana Marion Gunnis on 24 May 1931, she was the elder daughter of Nigel Eric Murray Gunnis, of Branden, Sissinghurst, Kent.[1] In 1959, she married Barry Maxwell, 12th Baron Farnham. They adopted two daughters, Harriet and Sophia.[2]

Lady Farnham was named a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II on 4 August 1987 upon the retirement of Patricia Nevill, Marchioness of Abergavenny.[3] Owing to her connections to Ireland, Lady Farnham accompanied The Queen on her landmark state visit to the Republic of Ireland in 2011. In 2012, during the Diamond Jubilee, she notably rode alongside The Queen to St Paul's Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving after Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was hospitalized.[4][2]

Lord and Lady Farnham donated the Farnham collection of photographs, mementos, letters, war medals and papers relating to the Farnham family and their connection to County Cavan to the Cavan County Museum and the National Library of Ireland.[5][6][7][8]

She died on 29 December 2021 at the age of 90. Her funeral was held in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, on 14 January 2022. Dame Mary Morrison represented The Queen, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended.[9] Her ashes are to be interred in Kilmore Cathedral at a later date.[4][2][10]

Honours

References
  1. Morris, Susan (20 April 2020). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage 2019. Debrett's. p. 2594. ISBN 978-1999767051. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  2. Tominey, Camilla (2 January 2022). "Sadness for the Queen as her devoted lady-in-waiting, Lady Farnham, dies". The Telegraph. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  3. "No. 51019". The London Gazette. 4 August 1987. p. 9885.
  4. Malvern, Jack (2 January 2022). "Queen's lady-in-waiting Diana, Lady Farnham dies aged 90". The Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  5. "The Farnham Gallery". Cavan County Museum. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  6. Farnham, Simon Maxwell, 13th Baron (3 January 2022). ""Lady Farnham was a very impressive individual," - Ryan". The Anglo-Celt. Retrieved 3 January 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. "Unique family photo collection launched". The Anglo-Celt. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  8. Cherry, Jonathan. "Farnham Papers" (PDF). National Library of Ireland. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  9. "Court Circular: January 14, 2022". The Times. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  10. "Farnham, Diana: Death notice". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  11. "No. 54993". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1997. p. 4.
  12. "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 3.
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