Queen honours her old pal

thE Queen was deeply saddened when her cousin and oldest friend, Margaret Rhodes, died last November at the age of 91.

But her Majesty has ensured her bridesmaid’s legacy continues at the palace. she has appointed Margaret’s daughter-in-law, susan Rhodes, to be her lady-in-waiting. ‘It is a touching gesture that will mean a lot to the family,’ a friend tells me.

susan is married to Margaret’s elder son simon, who, as a schoolboy, was one of the Queen’s Pages of honour.