Lord Fellowes. who died on July 29, 2024, served as Queen Elizabeth's private secretary from 1990 through 1999, when he resigned to return to the City. He became the queen's assistant private secretary in 1977. Nine years later he was promoted to Deputy Private Secretary.
He was the son of Major Sir William "Billy" Fellowes, the land agent at Sandringham from 1936 through 1964, and Jane Charlotte Ferguson. When given the position, Billy was offered York House as a home, but was daunted by "the tangle of rooms and staircases," and declined the offer. He moved into Laycocks, a much smaller property, in West Newton, where Robert was born on December 11, 1941.
Fifteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth was among the first to visit Laycock to meet the newborn.
Robert Fellowes married Lady (Cynthia) Jane Spencer, 2nd daughter of the 8th Earl of Spencer, at Westminister Abbey on April 20, 1978. They had three children: Laura Jane 1980) Alexander Robert (1983) and Eleanor Ruth (1985).
One of the bridesmaids at their wedding was Lady Jane's younger sister, Lady Diana, who in 1981 married the Prince of Wales.
Lord Fellowes and his wife were fifth cousins through Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey (1764-1845). Lord Fellowes is a descendant of Lord Grey's illegitimate daughter, Eliza Courtney (1792-1859), whose mother was Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire (Lady Georgiana Spencer). Lady Jane is a descendant of Lord Grey's 2nd eldest legitimate daughter, Lady Elizabeth Grey (1798-1880), and her husband, John Crocker Bulteel.
They are also 5th cousins once removed through John, 1st Earl Spencer (1734-1783). Jane's line of descent is through the 1st Earl's son, George, 2nd Earl Spencer, and Robert is a descendant of George's sister, Lady Georgiana, who gave birth to Lord Grey's illegitimate daughter, Eliza.
Lord Fellowes and his wife are also descendants of Charles II.
The late Ronald Ferguson, the father of Sarah, Duchess of York, was Lord Fellowes' maternal first cousin as his father, Andrew Ferguson and Robert's mother were siblings.
After leaving royal service, Robert returned to the City as the Chairman of Barclays Bank. Lord Fellowes was created a Life Peer in July 1999, as Baron Fellowes of Shotesham.
He served as an Extra Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II until she died in 2022.
He is survived by his widow, Lady Jane Fellowes, their children, Hon. Laura Pettman, Hon. Alexander Fellows, and Hon. Eleanor Fellowes, and grandchildren, Joe Peter, Miles Robert, and Beatrix Eleanor Pettman, Robert George, and Rose Jane Fellowes.
Lord Fellowes' brother-in-law, Charles, 9th Earl Spencer, issued a statement following the news of his death: "My absolutely exceptional brother-in-law, Robert, is no longer with us. A total gentleman - in all the best meanings of that word - he was a man of humour, wisdom & utter integrity. I’m deeply proud to have been his brother-in-law."
Lord Fellowes was 82 years old.
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