Margaret McKay MacDonald LVO RVM (1904 – 22 September 1993), known as Bobo, was a Scottish nursemaid and later dresser to Queen Elizabeth II.
Life and career
editMacDonald was born in 1904 the daughter of a Scottish railway worker on the Black Isle, north of Inverness.[1]
MacDonald and her sister Ruby first entered royal service as nursemaids to six-weeks-old-Princess Elizabeth of York under governess Marion Crawford.[2][3] Her sister later continued to work for Princess Margaret. MacDonald was known by the nickname "Bobo", thought to be Princess Elizabeth's first word, in turn, MacDonald was one of the few people outside of the royal family who called the Queen "Lilibet".[4] She slept in the same room as the princess for much of her childhood.[1]
After the princess left the nursery, she remained in her employ as her dresser. She accompanied Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on their honeymoon. She was with the princess on tour in Kenya when she received word of her accession to the throne. As her dresser, she was responsible for the Queen's clothing and jewellery. She became one of the monarch's closest confidantes.[1][4]
In recognition of her service, she was made a Member, 5th Class, of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in the 1953 Coronation Honours.[5] She was later promoted to a Lieutenant (LVO) in the same order in the 1986 New Year Honours.[6] She was also awarded the Royal Victorian Medal.
MacDonald retired in her late 80s after dressing the Queen for 67 years. She never married and retained her own suite at Buckingham Palace. She died there on 22 September 1993 at the age of 89.[7] The Queen attended her funeral which was held on 30 September 1993 at The Queen's Chapel, St James's Palace.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Queen's servant 'Bobo' dies". The Hearld. 23 September 1993. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Tinniswood, Adrian (2 October 2018). "Queen Elizabeth's Childhood Governess Wrote a Smash-Hit Memoir. It Wrecked Her Relationship With the Royal Family". TIME. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Bobo has been the Queen's 'right hand'". The Australian Women's Weekly. 24 February 1960. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Margaret MacDonald, Queen's Servant, 89". New York Times. 25 September 1993. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
- ^ "No. 39863". The London Gazette (7th supplement). 26 May 1953. p. 2947.
- ^ "No. 50361". The London Gazette (7th supplement). 30 December 1985. p. 4.
- ^ "Margaret (Bobo) MacDonald; Dresser, Confidante to Queen". Los Angeles Times. 25 September 1993. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Margaret 'Bobo' Macdonald Funeral". PA Images. Retrieved 23 September 2024.