Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy, is one of the most respected and longest-serving members of the modern British royal family. Born in 1936, she has dedicated more than seven decades to public service, representing the Crown with quiet dignity and tireless commitment.
Though now largely retired from official duties, Princess Alexandra’s life of service stands as an example of the monarchy’s enduring mission to support charities, champion communities, and serve the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.
Sources: Royal.uk, BBC News, The Guardian, Alzheimer’s Society.
Early Life and Family Background
Princess Alexandra Helen Elizabeth Olga Christabel was born on 25 December 1936 at 3 Belgrave Square, London.
She is the second child and only daughter of Prince George, Duke of Kent (fourth son of King George V and Queen Mary) and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark, herself a granddaughter of King George I of Greece.
This royal lineage makes Princess Alexandra a cousin to Queen Elizabeth II and now to King Charles III.
She was christened in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace, with Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) among her godparents.
Source: Royal.uk.
Education and Early Duties
Princess Alexandra was educated at Heathfield School, Ascot, and then studied in Paris.
As a working royal, she began supporting the Crown in the 1950s, representing the monarch at home and abroad. She was among the first royals to travel extensively in the post-war era, visiting Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, Nigeria, and Malaysia.
Her calm, friendly manner made her a popular figure at public engagements, embodying the royal family’s commitment to duty and service.
Marriage and Family Life
On 24 April 1963, Princess Alexandra married the Honourable Angus Ogilvy at Westminster Abbey. The event was attended by members of the royal family and broadcast to millions.
Angus Ogilvy was a respected businessman, known for his work in charity and public service. Despite declining a peerage at marriage, he supported Alexandra in her royal work for decades.
The couple had two children:
-
James Ogilvy (born 1964)
-
Marina Ogilvy (born 1966)
They maintained a relatively private family life while balancing royal responsibilities. Angus Ogilvy died in 2004, after over 40 years of marriage.
Source: BBC News.
Decades of Royal Duty
Princess Alexandra has completed thousands of engagements on behalf of the Queen, often standing in for Her Majesty at ceremonies and official visits.
Her extensive royal service included:
-
Attending state banquets, investitures, and ceremonies.
-
Representing the Queen at foreign state funerals and celebrations.
-
Visiting hospitals, regiments, and community organizations throughout the UK.
-
Supporting veterans and Armed Forces charities as Colonel-in-Chief or Honorary Colonel of multiple units.
She was known for her consistent, gracious presence, making connections with people from all walks of life.
Source: Royal.uk.
Charitable Patronages and Causes
Princess Alexandra is especially recognized for her charitable work. Over her lifetime, she has served as patron or president of more than 100 charities and organizations.
Her focus areas include:
-
Health care — Supporting hospitals, nurses, and hospice care.
-
Disability and sensory impairment — Working with Blind Veterans UK and similar groups.
-
End-of-life care — Patron of St Christopher’s Hospice, the world’s first modern hospice.
-
Alzheimer’s support — Longstanding patron of Alzheimer’s Society, promoting awareness and research.
-
Military welfare — Colonel-in-Chief roles and frequent visits to regiments and veterans’ groups.
Her personal dedication often meant traveling across the UK to meet staff, patients, and volunteers.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society.
Popularity and Public Image
Though never as high-profile as senior royals like the late Queen or current King, Princess Alexandra has long been admired for her steady, compassionate approach.
Many people recall her warm, unhurried manner at events — taking time to speak with charity workers, hospital staff, and community volunteers.
For older generations in particular, she represents a royal ethos of duty before self, with quiet, behind-the-scenes contributions that earned widespread respect.
Later Years and Retirement
In recent years, Princess Alexandra has scaled back her public duties in line with age and health.
While no longer undertaking the volume of engagements she once did, she remains an active patron of several charities and occasionally attends family and national events.
She is widely regarded as an elder stateswoman of the royal family, with decades of accumulated experience and service.
Source: The Guardian.
Family Connections in the Modern Monarchy
Princess Alexandra remains a close relative to King Charles III. She is also respected as a senior family member by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and other working royals.
She has attended significant family occasions, such as royal weddings, state events, and national commemorations, often sitting in a position of honour as one of the most senior members of the extended family.
Her continued presence symbolizes the royal family’s long memory and commitment to tradition, even as it modernizes in other ways.
Conclusion
Princess Alexandra remains a living link to the royal family’s 20th-century history and its service ethos. Her life’s work stands as a testament to the Crown’s promise to support communities, uphold traditions, and serve the United Kingdom and Commonwealth with humility and care.
As she enjoys a well-earned quieter pace of life, the charities, regiments, and people she has touched continue to value her decades of dedication and support.