Lord Vestey âabidingly proud of his Australian descentâ
By Mark McGinness
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LORD VESTEY: 1941-2021
The 3rd Lord Vestey, who has died aged 79, was the half-Australian heir to a meat fortune, the surviving great-grandson of Dame Nellie Melba, and the head of one of the richest families in Britain who, for most of his life, were owners of vast holdings in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Within four generations, the Vesteys went from a Merseyside slaughterhouse to a magnificent Cotswold country house hosting titled grandees and members of the innermost circle of royal courtiers.
Lord Vestey at Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 16, 2015
Queen news: The Queen with Lord Vestey at Royal Ascot (Image: GETTY)
Between 1995 and 1998, William served as Page of Honour to the Queen.
Lady Vestey s death came as a hard blow not just for the monarch but also for Prince Harry, as she was one of his godparents.
The death of her horse racing friend and former aide comes just two days before a painful milestone for the Queen.
On February 6, the monarch will mark the 69th anniversary of her ascension to the throne.
Queen news: The Queen is self-isolating at Windsor Castle (Image: EXPRESS)
But the same day also represents the anniversary of the death of her father, King George VI.
William Vestey, 37, has inherited father Samuel s title and Stowell Park Estate
Samuel Vestey was former Cheltenham Racecourse chairman and one of Britain s richest men thanks to the family s business worth £750 million
The 79-year-old, who was a friend of the Queen and Prince Charles, has died
Death comes just weeks after the passing of his wife, who died on November 28
Lady Vestey, 71, was one of the Duke of Sussex s godmothers
The couple joined the Queen and Prince Charles in the Royal Box at Cheltenham
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Lord and Lady Vestey, pictured at Royal Ascot in 2003.
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