Heartbreak as Queen Elizabeth’s ‘most mischievous pal’ who helped her sneak out dies aged 97
ONE of the late Queen's best pals has died aged 97.
Lady Rupert Nevill had known the monarch since childhood and is said to have helped her go unrecognised in public.
Called Micky by those closest to her, she and the Queen met while in a Girl Guides troop on the grounds of Buckingham Palace.
An article from the 1970s reported that Queen Elizabeth loved to sneak out when she was young, and did so with Micky's help.
It read: "The Queen relishes seeing whether out of royal context she can go unrecognised.
"She once queued at the ticket office without being noticed.
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"Another night, when slow-moving crowds jammed the foyer, the manager recognised Micky Nevill and suddenly realised that, elbow-deep in the crush and enjoying it, was the Queen."
She passed away on January 25, and senior royals are likely to attend her funeral on February 8, The Daily Mail reports.
Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, who knew Lady Rupert for more than 50 years, said she will be missed "tremendously".
He added: "She was one of the main influences in my life.
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"Her knowledge, her judgment, her taste, were all extraordinary, and I consider knowing her as one of my greatest blessings."
Lady Rupert was born Anne Camilla Evelyn Wallop, daughter to the 9th Earl of Portsmouth.
In 1944, she married Lord Rupert Nevill, who was treasurer and later private secretary to Prince Philip.
The couple lived at Horsted Place in Uckfield, East Sussex - a bolt hole for Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend during their romance.
The Duke of Edinburgh and then-Prince Charles both attended Lord Rupert's funeral in 1982 following his death from cancer.
Lady Rupert is survived by her son Christopher, 6th Marquess of Abergavenny, and two daughters Lady Angela Nevill and Lady Henrietta Nevill.
Her eldest son Guy, a godson of the late Queen, died in 1993.