Fiona, Lady Aird CVO
Published by Debbie Baverstock on Thu, 09/03/2023 - 12:56
Lady Aird, CVO, was a Lady-in-Waiting to the late Princess Margaret, and was widow of courtier Sir Alastair Aird, GCVO, private secretary to the Queen Mother.
She was born Fiona Violet Myddelton, 24 September 1934, scion of that landed gentry family, daughter of lieutenant-Colonel Ririd Myddleton, LVO (1902-88), Coldstream Guards, and his wife Lady Mary Margaret Elizabeth Petty-Fitzmaurice (1910-2003), sister of the 8th Marquess of Lansdowne (1912-1999).
Fiona Myddelton was appointed an Extra Lady-in-Waiting to HRH the Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon in 1960 and served the Princess in that capacity until HRH’s death in 2002.
She married 22 July, 1963, Alastair Sturgis Aird, scion of the Aird baronets, son of Malcolm Henry Aird, OBE and his wife the former Joan Meredith Sturgis. Alastair Aird served as an Equerry to HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother and was Her Majesty’s assistant private secretary from 1964 to 1973, Comptroller to the Queen Mother’s Household, 1974 – 2002, and private Secretary to Her Majesty from 1993 until her demise, in March 2002.
Lady Aird was appointed LVO in 1980 and advanced to CVO in 2001. She received the Order of Mercy in 2003 for her services to volunteering in health.
Her daughter Caroline says.
“ I cannot remember a time when the Middlesex and League of Friends were not part of our lives. Due to the Astor connection, Mama considered it part of her DNA to support in any way she could and it was no hardship to do so”.
As part of her involvement with Friends, Lady Aird became a Vice President of the National Association of Leagues of Hospital Friends (now Attend) in 1995, and in the early days her most notable contribution was as Chair of the Committee on the project funded by GlaxoSmithKline to help build the capacity of local groups. This is still mentioned by many today.
Contact has always been maintained with Fiona. Recently she took part in the ‘Friends Voices’ project, and she can be heard by clicking on the link here
Fiona (nee myddleton) CVO, widow of Sir Alastair Aird, GCVO died on 11th February 2023 peacefully at Amesbury Abbey Nursing Home aged 88. She will be much missed by her two daughters, Caroline and Henrietta, and her four grandchildren. There will be a private cremation followed by a Service of Thanksgiving on 20th March at 2.30 p.m at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull. No flowers please but donations if desired to Attend, previously known as The Hospital League of Friends, c/o Bracher Brothers, Newbury, Gillingham SP8 4QL
