The Queen stunned mourners when she turned up to the funeral – of the devoted
aide who spent decades looking after her corgis.
Her Majesty, 88, went to the service in Windsor Great Park on Monday afternoon
to pay her respects to Nancy Fenwick.
The 84-year-old, who died two weeks ago, was affectionately known as “Keeper
of the Queen’s Corgis”.
Around 200 friends, family members and royal servants were crammed into the
tiny All Saints Royal Chapel when the Queen arrived with her son Prince
Andrew.
It is unusual for the Queen to attend funerals, apart from those of other
royals.
Exceptions during her long reign have been the funerals of prime ministers
Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.
The Duke of York, still reeling from the “sex slave” scandal involving
American Virginia Roberts, accompanied his mother to the service.
He has a home near to the chapel in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.
A mourner said: “No-one could believe it when Her Majesty arrived.
“It is unusual for her to go to funerals, so it just goes to show how fond of
Nancy she was.
“She would often visit her and have tea.
“She is also very fond of Nancy’s husband Bill, who was the royal gamekeeper
for many years.
“Nancy was cremated privately in the morning and the service was in the
afternoon.
“The Queen has spoken to Bill and is supporting him and his two sons as best
she can.
“The Queen has always been devoted to her dogs of course, and the fact she
paid tribute to Nancy in this way shows the deep affection she had for her
and her work.
“It was a beautiful service and even the choir from St George’s Chapel in
Windsor Castle sang hymns.”
As a child the Queen attended many services in the 19th century Gothic chapel
when her parents, then the Duke and Duchess of York, lived at Royal Lodge.
Nancy retired nearly two years ago after decades of looking after the corgis,
now down to a pack of just four.
The remaining dogs – two corgis and two dorgis (corgi-dachshund cross) are now
looked after by the footmen.
A source said: “Nancy knew all the corgis’ individual diets and needs. It’s
fair to say she spoilt them rotten.”
A spokesman for the Queen declined to comment last night, saying it was
private matter.