King Charles will soon be celebrating his nephew, Peter Phillips’ wedding, but just hours before the big day, a family tragedy struck

hile King Charles will no doubt be filled with joy on Saturday for the marriage of his nephew, Peter Phillips, to Harriet Sperling, the monarch spoke of his sadness on Friday following the death of Lady Pamela Hicks.

Lady Pamela was the monarch’s first cousin once removed, and she had a close bond with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, serving as a bridesmaid at her wedding to Charles’ father, Prince Philip, and as one of the former monarch’s ladies-in-waiting.

In a statement, a Palace spokesperson said: “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.

“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.”

Lady Pamela’s death

The 97-year-old’s death was confirmed by her daughter, India Hicks, who shared a moving tribute on social media, alongside a gorgeous image of her late mother.

“My mother died peacefully today,” she told her followers. “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.

Lady Pamela Hicks attends the funeral of Patricia Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge on June 27, 2017 in London, England© Getty Images
Lady Pamela sadly passed away on Friday

“And through the prism of a crowded and remarkable past, she made incomparable company, carrying her memories lightly, and always with humour.”

She concluded: “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.”

Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh with their eight bridesmaids in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace© PA Images
Lady Pamela was one of the late Queen’s bridesmaids

Lady Pamela was incredibly close to Charles’ mother, and in a 2021 documentary about her life with the monarch, she said: “The Queen’s life has been entirely dictated by her sense of duty. It’s a word that’s barely used and certainly not understood but duty was good. It gave you a goal.

“She is an amazing person. There’s such inner strength there. And she has just remained like that throughout her life.”

Lady Pamela Hicks (daughter Of Earl Mountbatten) And Husband David At Buckingham Palace After Trooping The Colour © Getty Images
Lady Pamela shared three children with her husband before his death in 1998

Speaking to HELLO! in 2024, she also revealed how she broke royal protocol upon hearing the news of Elizabeth’s father’s death as she accompanied the then princess to Kenya. “I instinctively gave her a hug, but quickly remembering that she was now Queen, I dropped to a deep curtsy,” she told us.