Heartache for Harry and William as their uncle & late Queen’s private secretary Lord Robert Fellowes dies aged 82

PRINCE Harry and Prince William’s uncle Lord Robert Fellowes has died aged 82.

Lord Robert was Princess Diana’s brother-in-law and served as the late Queen’s private secretary from 1990 to 1999.

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He helped the Queen through her “annus horribilis” in 1992, when the royals were dogged by a series of troubles.

That year Prince Charles feuded with Diana, Prince Andrew split from Sarah Ferguson, Princess Anne divorced and Windsor Castle was gutted by fire.

Lord Robert was later forced to deny bizarre claims by Harrods owner Mohammed al Fayed that he was behind Diana’s 1997 car crash.

Robert Fellowes was born at Sandringham House in Norfolk in 1941, at the height of the Second World War.

He was educated at Eton College and joined the Scots Guards in 1960 on a short service commission.

In 1963 he entered the banking industry working for Allen Harvey and Ross Ltd, discount brokers and bankers.

Lord Robert married Lady Jane Fellowes in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 1978.

Lady Jane’s sister Diana Spencer – later Princess Diana – was a bridesmaid at the ceremony.

In 1977, Fellowes was recruited to join the Royal Household as Assistant Private Secretary.

He spent the next 20 years in the Private Secretary’s Office, becoming Deputy in 1986, and Private Secretary in 1990.

Lord Robert held the position for nine years up until 1999 and was succeeded by Robin Janvrin.

He received the Queen Elizabeth II Version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal in 1997 for 20 years of service to the Royal Family.

And he remained an Extra Equerry to the late Queen up until her death in September 2022.

Lady Jane took the title of Baroness at the end of Robert’s tenure when he was appointed a Baron.

He was introduced to the House of Lords and took his seat formally on October 26, 1999.

The couple had three children – Laura Jane Fellowes, Alexander Robert Fellowes, and Eleanor Ruth Fellowes.

Laura is Princess Charlotte ‘s godmother.

Speaking about Diana following her tragic death in 1997, Fellowes told The Telegraph: “I was deeply fond of her. She was very good person.

“She found it difficult in life to find happiness, and I’m sad for people who have that situation.”