Queen's cousin and party planner Lady Elizabeth Shakerley dies aged 79

Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, socialite party planner and cousin of the Queen, has died aged 79 

She was a great friend of the monarch and responsible for organizing many of her private events, including her 80th birthday.

Born into the aristocratic Anson family, she founded the company party Planners in 1960 and supervised discreet celebrations for royalty.

The socialite died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Her long career saw her attend to the Royal Family, and last year was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for her services to the monarchy.

She also catered to celebrity clients, supervising musician Sting’s wedding and the 70th birthday celebrations of former Prime Minster Baroness Thatcher. 

The daughter of Viscount Thomas Anson and his wife, Anne Bowes-Lyon, later the  Princess Anne of Denmark, also entertained the royalty and high society of Greece, Norway, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Despite her socialite status and a client list that boasted the Clintons and Sir Mick Jagger, she said in a 2012 interview:  “The idea of most social occasions terrified me, and it's only now that I have a raison d'etre for being at the party that my nerves have almost vanished."

She was born in 1941 at Windsor Castle, and was known for having a warm personal friendship with the Queen. 

When she married Sir Geoffrey Shakerley at Westminster Abbey in July 1972, her entourage  boasted the ruling monarch, the Queen Mother and Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, while Princess Anne was also present as a bridesmaid.

She was known for her discreet organisation of royal celebrations, but in a rare interview gave away some royal secrets about the Queen, commenting that: “The Queen is the most meticulous host. 

“She checks every dining-room setting, every flower, every guest bedroom and always chooses her own menu. 

“We could all learn something from that.”

The website of her company party Planners has carried the message:  “Party Planners is sad to announce the passing of Lady Elizabeth Anson.  

“A memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Lady Elizabeth as and when government guidelines allow.”

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