Queen Elizabeth news – Monarch suffers tragedy as childhood friend from inner circle dies

THE QUEEN is facing tragedy following the death of one of her childhood friends.

Lady Myra Butter, who was widely regarded to be in both Her Majesty and Prince Philip’s inner circle, had passed away in London at the age of 97.

Scottish-born Lady Butter, who leaves behind five children, was a distant relative of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and poet, novelist and playwright, Alexander Pushkin.

She became friends with the Queen when they were both young girls after she was enlisted to join her in various childhood activities including swimming and attending Brownies.

She told The Telegraph last year: “They got hold of some girls to be part of the thing to make it more fun.

“In the Guides and the Brownies it was a real mixture, which was really nice, some friends, friends of [the family], and all the people in the Royal mews, their children, they were Brownies and Guides. Just a normal sort of pack really.”

Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest news & updates…