Princess Alexandra’s most senior aide, Diane Duke, has been honoured for her service to The Royal Family.
Mrs Duke, who is both Private Secretary and Comptroller to Princess Alexandra, was invested at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.
Received by The King, Mrs Duke became a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
Mrs Duke has been a long-serving member of Princess Alexandra’s household, and is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.
This means she conducts various engagements on behalf of the monarch in the ceremonial county of Lancashire when members of The Royal Family and the Lord Lieutenant are otherwise engaged.
During the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Mrs Duke visited a school on behalf of The Queen to plant an Oak Tree as part of the Green Canopy project.
She also represents Princess Alexandra at a number of occasions when Her Royal Highness is unable to attend.
Also appointed as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order at the investiture ceremony was Helen Nellis, the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire.
This award was created in April 1896 by Queen Victoria, who wished to formally recognise those who had personally served her.
The RVO is the only award where The King can use his sole discretion as to who to appoint.
