Late Queen's close aide dies at 66

The late Queen Elizabeth's aide and a close friend of the British royal family, Jir Johnny Weatherby, has passed away at the age of 66.

According to the local media, Weatherby served as the late monarch's  Representative at Ascot.

Sir Johnny headed the Ascot Office at St James’s Palace and carried responsibility for one of the most sensitive roles in the royal sporting calendar as the late Queen's Representative from 2011 until 2020.

Paying tribute to Weatherby, the official Instagram account of the Royal Ascot shared his picture with the Late Queen with a statement that said: 

"Sir Johnny Weatherby KCVO

All of us at Ascot were deeply saddened by the news of Sir Johnny Weatherby’s death. Johnny played an immensely important role in Ascot’s history between 1997 and 2020, first as a Trustee, then Chairman and Her Majesty’s Representative.

Our deepest sympathies go to his entire family but especially to Sophie, Isabella, Jack, Max and Lara.

Jockeys at Ascot today and tomorrow will wear black armbands as a mark of respect."