The British Royal Family just suffered another sad loss last month with the death of a long-serving member of the Royal household.

Virginia Ogilvy, the Countess of Airlie in Scotland, who was a close friend and confidante of the late Queen Elizabeth II for five decades, passed away at her Cortachy estate on August 16 at the age of 91, according to The New York Times.

Ogilvy had the distinction of being not just the only American-born member of the Queen's official entourage, known as her ladies-in-waiting, but also was arguably the highest-ranked of the group of friends, assistants, and advisers.

Close friend and confidante of the late Queen

According to The Times, Virginia Ogilvy was born as Virginia Fortune Ryan in the state of Rhode Island in 1933 as the daughter of two families of great wealth, and in 1952 was married to Lord David Ogilvy, who became the Earl of Airlie and was a childhood friend of Queen Elizabeth II.

The young couple quickly became part of the Queen's social circle and in 1973, after reportedly developing a close friendship, Lady Ogilvy was named as the Queen's Lady of the Bedchamber -- a prominent position she held until the Queen's death in 2022.

In that role, Ogilvy was frequently seen in close proximity to the Queen during ceremonies and events, and often joined her on her travels, especially to the United States, and likewise was always on hand when the Queen greeted American visitors to the U.K.

Lord Ogilvy, following a successful banking career, also served as a member of the Royal household when he was named Lord Chamberlain of the Household in 1984 and was tasked with overseeing the Queen's domestic affairs.

Beloved by their community and the Royal Family

For many years following their marriage, the Ogilvys, known as Lord and Lady Airlie, lived in Cortachy Castle, which has been in the Ogilvy family since the 15th Century, according to the U.K.'s The Courier, and the couple endeared themselves to the local population with their service to the community as well as the Queen.

In their later years, they moved from the castle to a smaller estate before relocating to London shortly before Lord Airlie passed away last year.

Per The Times, they are survived by six children, 14 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Honored by the Royal Family for her years of service

The Times noted that after Queen Elizabeth II's death, King Charles III announced that all of his late mother's ladies-in-waiting would retain the positions they'd held but would not be replaced.

According to Tatler, Buckingham Palace released a statement from the King following Lady Airlie's death last month that said, "His Majesty was deeply saddened to hear the news, having known Lady Airlie for so much of his life and having so greatly appreciated her immense devotion and dedicated service to Her late Majesty over so many years."

In addition to the honor of being among the Queen's ladies-in-waiting, Ogilvy was also honored by her royal friend with an appointment as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1983 and was later elevated to the prestigious position of Dame Commander in 1995.

The Royal Watcher blog noted that Lady Airlie, who was frequently spotted near the Queen at official events, typically wore the famed Airlie Tiara, which was first observed in a portrait of her grandmother-in-law, Mabell, the Countess of Airlie, who was Lord Ogilvy's grandmother and similarly served as Lady of the Bedchamber for Queen Mary, the grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II.