Royal family loses a friend as Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee preparations begin

A friend of the British royals has died as it gears up for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.

According to the local media, Ivor Herbett, a racing journalist and friend of the royals, has died at age 96.

 Herbett's death comes months after Queen Elizabeth lost her husband Prince Philip who died at the age of 99.

For many years the racing editor of The Mail on Sunday, he was often a guest at Balmoral.

Queen Elizabeth last year spent her summer holidays at the Balmoral for the first time without her husband.

Local media reported that Herbert's own riding career was curtailed after twice breaking his neck but he shone as an amateur trainer and trained the winner of the 1957 Cheltenham Gold Cup.