Queen Elizabeth II was one of the most iconic public figures in modern British history, instantly recognisable around the world. While much has been written about her father and paternal ancestors, less attention has been paid to her maternal family – the Bowes-Lyons. Yet, it was from this side of the family that The Queen’s closest confidante and lifelong best friend emerged: her cousin Margaret Rhodes.
Margaret was born on 9 June 1925 in London, the daughter of Lady Mary Bowes-Lyon, the elder sister of The Queen Mother, and the 16th Lord Elphinstone. Growing up just a few years apart, Margaret, The Queen, and Princess Margaret shared much of their childhood together – even living at Windsor Castle during the Second World War. Their bond was so close that Margaret was a bridesmaid at Princess Elizabeth’s 1947 wedding to Prince Philip.
During the war, Margaret served as a secretary at MI6, working in the department responsible for coordinating intelligence operations in the Middle East. Her role kept her close to pivotal events, though she remained tight-lipped about her work. Reflecting on this in a 2011 interview, she recalled, “The King used to tease me, trying to get me to spill secrets, knowing full well I couldn’t.”
Margaret’s unique position within the Royal Family brought her into contact with some of the world’s most prominent figures. In her bestselling memoir, The Final Curtsey, she recounts a surreal moment at Windsor Castle – sitting next to Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, speaking fluent French to the Emperor who spoke little English. Other distinguished acquaintances included Sir Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, and Nelson Mandela. From 1991 until 2002, Margaret served as Woman of the Bedchamber to her aunt, The Queen Mother, further cementing her role as a trusted royal confidante.
In 1950, Margaret married English writer Denys Rhodes, with whom she had four children. The couple shared a love for adventurous travel, often exploring remote regions across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. On one notable trip in 1963, while attending the Crown Prince of Sikkim’s wedding, they were invited to visit Bhutan – only to find themselves caught in an attempted coup. After a harrowing ten-hour journey through mountainous terrain and a tense detention at the Indian border, they were eventually released by the King of Bhutan’s order.
Margaret’s dedication to the Royal Family was formally recognized in 2000 when she was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, honoring her personal service to the monarch.
Margaret Rhodes died peacefully on 25 November 2016, aged 91. Her funeral, attended by senior royals including The Queen and Prince Philip, marked the end of an era – the loss of the Queen’s closest confidante and lifelong best friend.
