Queen Elizabeth is in mourning this week after the death of her cousin and dear friend Lady Elizabeth Shakerley, who died on Sunday at the age of 79.

The Express reported that Lady Elizabeth was a close friend of the Queen’s who arranged many of the monarch’s parties. She was born in 1941 at Windsor Castle to Thomas Anson, Viscount Anson, and his wife, Anne Bowes-Lyon, who would later become Princess Anne of Denmark upon her second marriage. Lady Elizabeth would go on to become a renowned party planner, planning and arranging events for various members of the royal family.

In order to become a party planner, Lady Elizabeth had to overcome the incredible shyness that had plagued her since she was a small child.

“The idea of most social occasions terrified me and I have always dreaded parties because of feeling that way,” she once said, according to The Times. “So I vowed to create parties where no one had to feel like that.”

In a rare interview with Tatler in 2012, Lady Elizabeth revealed some of the Queen’s tastes when it came to her events.

“For years it was believed that the Queen loved only yellow freesia,” Lady Elizabeth said. “They appeared on every table decoration. Until I offered her an alternative and we discovered that she loved all sorts of blooms, from peonies to white roses. The Queen is the most meticulous host. She checks every dining-room setting, every flower, every guest bedroom and always chooses her own menu. We could all learn something from that.”

Back in April, the Queen made Lady Elizabeth a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order. Awards in this order are given personally by the 94 year-old Queen for services to the sovereign.

“The Lady Elizabeth Shakerley has been appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by The Queen today and has received the Insignia,” stated an entry in the Court Circular.

Lady Elizabeth is survived by one daughter and two grandchildren. Tributes have been pouring in for her on social media since her passing.

“Early this morning The Lady Elizabeth Shakerley (Liza) died,” tweeted television host Alistair Bruce. “She was great friend & cousin to The Queen, who made her a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order a few months ago. We adored her too @StephenKnott_ Somehow #AllSaintsDay seems entirely fitting.”

Early this morning The Lady Elizabeth Shakerley (Liza) died. She was great friend & cousin to The Queen, who made her a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order a few months ago. We adored her too @StephenKnott_ Somehow #AllSaintsDay seems entirely fitting. pic.twitter.com/hIwkkcIgY0

— Alastair Bruce (@AlastairBruce_) November 1, 2020