A close friend of Queen Elizabeth II who lived at the heart of Palace life for more than 70 years has died aged 97.
Lady Prudence Penn, also known as Prue, was Queen Elizabeth II’s loyal companion and former lady-in-waiting.
She was the widow of Sir Eric Penn, one-time Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
The Queen Mother and Princess Elizabeth attended the Penns’ wedding at St Mark’s, North Audley Street, on January 1947."I suppose people may now see a 91-year-old lady and forget she was once young," she said in the Channel 5 documentary Elizabeth: Our Queen back in 2018. "I remember going with her and Prince Philip to a nightclub in Leicester Square called The 400, which was the smart place to go.
"And we had drinks, and something to eat and we danced. She loved to do normal things like you do when you are young."
In March 2016, Queen Elizabeth II was spotted at Mayfair restaurant Bellamy's for Lady Penn's 90th birthday.
Lady Penn was reportedly a huge admirer of King Charles. When Charles became King, she confided to a friend on his Accession: "Have you noticed how our new Sovereign seems to have grown in stature overnight? He looks every inch a king.
"I am devoted to him and know that he will take on the mantle with sensitivity, wisdom, and strength."
Lady Penn was also appointed LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) in the 2002 demise honours list. She is survived by her two sons and a daughter.
