The King is mourning the loss of his long-time friend, Alec Cobbe, who has died at the age of 81.
Charles, 77, who celebrates his 21st wedding anniversary to Queen Camilla on Thursday, was friends with the Anglo-Irish designer for many years.
Alec even hand-sketched the invitations for Prince William’s 21st birthday party at Windsor Castle in 2003, which had an “Out of Africa” theme.
Over the years, he contributed several artworks for special occasions and events hosted by the King, according to an interview with the Financial Times in November, and was described by the monarch as an “accrocheur”.
In February, Alec was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by the King. The monarch awards the CVO in recognition of personal service to the royal family. Alec passed away at the end of March.
King Charles playfully pats Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte
A life dedicated to art
Richard Alexander ‘Alec’ Charles Cobbe was born in Dublin in 1945. Growing up, he studied medicine at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, before realising his passion lay with art. Alec trained in art restoration at the Tate Gallery and opened his own art studio in 1981.
But he was perhaps best known as the custodian of Hatchlands Park, a National Trust property and stately home outside Guildford. He even owned 55 pianos, forming the Cobbe Collection at Hatchlands.
Following his death, Hatchlands announced it would be closed as a sign of respect. A social media post read: “Following the passing of Alec Cobbe on 31 March, our thoughts are with his family and friends.For almost forty years, visitors have come to Hatchlands to see Alec Cobbe’s remarkable collections on display, and we are hugely grateful for the enormous contribution he has made to how Hatchlands is enjoyed today.”
Castle Howard, a country house in York that worked closely with the artist, paid tribute on social media, writing: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Alec Cobbe. A designer, decorator, and artist, few of the great houses of Great Britain escaped his expert eye. Cobbe was closely affiliated with Castle Howard for many years and was an integral part of Castle Howard’s 21st Century Renaissance.”
A big week for the King
© Getty ImagesThe King has a big week
The tragic loss comes amid a major week for the monarch, as Charles celebrates 21 years of marriage to his wife, Queen Camilla, on Thursday. The couple wed in 2005 in a civil ceremony at the Windsor Guildhall, as both had been married previously. Charles’s first marriage was in 1981 to the late Princess Diana, held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, and Camilla was previously married to Andrew Parker Bowles.
The late Queen Elizabeth did not attend the ceremony herself for his second wedding, but did appear for a church blessing by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
It comes after the King and Queen led members of the royal family attending the Easter Matins service at St George’s Chapel on Sunday, joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, as well as Prince Edward and Princess Anne. Peter Phillips and his fiancée, Harriet Sperling, made their royal debut at the service together.