Prince Harry’s godmother Lady Vestey has died aged 71

Prince Harry’s godmother Lady Celia Vestey has died ‘suddenly but peacefully’ at the age of 71. 

Lady Vestey was the wife of courtier Sam Vestey, the 3rd Baron, former Master of the Horse to the Queen. 

She was a close friend of the Queen, 94, and Prince Charles, 72, and was part of their ‘racing circle’. 

A death notice announcing the sad news which was printed in the Daily Telegraph read: ‘Celia Elizabeth SRN BA. Died suddenly, but peacefully, on Saturday 28th November, aged 71 years.

Adored wife of Sam. Much loved mother of William, Arthur and Mary and loving Granny of Ella, Frankie, Sam and Cosima.’ 

Prince Harry’s godmother Lady Celia Vestey has died at the age of 71. Pictured, arriving at Claridges Hotel to attend the wedding reception for Alexander Fellowes and Alexandra Finlay following their wedding ceremony at the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster on September 20, 2013 in London

Lady Vestey was a close friend of the Queen and Prince Charles and was a member of their ‘racing circle.’ Pictured, from left to right (back row) Bryan Organ, Lady Sarah Chatto, Lady Vestey, Mrs Bartholomew and Gerald Ward, (front row) Prince Harry, The Prince of Wales and Prince William, pose for a photograph at the confirmation of Prince Harry at Eton College on March 19, 2000

‘Private family funeral. Memorial service later.

‘Family flowers only please, but donations gratefully received in Celia’s memory to Ebony Horse Club.’

In 1981, she tied the knot with Lord Samuel Vestey, who was the Royal Household’s Master of the Horse from 1999 to 2018 – before being appointed as a permanent Lord-in-waiting to Her Majesty in August 2019. 

The couple had three children together – The Hon. William Guy Vestey, The Hon. Arthur George Vestey and The Hon. Mary Henrietta Vestey.  

Queen Elizabeth II and Lady Celia Vestey attend day 4 ‘Gold Cup Day’ of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2009 in Cheltenham

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Celia Vestey watch the racing as they attend day 4 ‘Gold Cup Day’ of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 17, 2006 in Cheltenham

Her oldest son, William, was one of the Queen’s Page of Honours for three years, until he reached the age of 15. 

Celia was one of six godparents chosen for the Duke of Sussex by his parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana for his christening at St George’s Chapel in Windsor in 1984 – where he later got married. 

Among the others were Prince Andrew, Princess Margaret’s daughter Lady Sarah Chatto, artist Bryan Organ, Charles’ close pal Gerald Ward and Princess Diana’s former flatmate Carolyn Bartholomew. 

Reports at the time claimed Prince Harry’s aunt Princess Anne didn’t attend his christening after she was upset by Princess Diana and Prince Charles’s decisions.

According to a 1984 report by the Daily Express, the royal instead went game shooting with then-husband Mark Phillips on their Gatecombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: “Unfortunately neither of them could make it. They will be arriving in Windsor later in the day.’ 

Lady Celia attended the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018.

Lady Celia Vestey attends the wedding of Prince Harry to Ms Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor

Lady Celia Vestey and Lord Samuel Vestey attend Harry Meade & Rosie Bradford’s wedding at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul on October 23, 2010 in Northleach near Cheltenham

Lady Celia Vestey and Lord Samuel Vestey accompany the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as they attend Sunday service at the church of St Mary in Flitcham near the Sandringham Estate on January 15, 2012