Saturday was a sombre occasion for the family of Lady Pamela Hicks, with the late Queen’s bridesmaid being laid to rest following her death on 5 June.
Among the mourners at her funeral was her daughter, India Hicks, and days after the ceremony, she shared a heartbreaking image of the willow coffin that the 97-year-old was laid to rest in.
In the image, the coffin was seen in front of two portraits, held up by wooden supports and positioned between two chairs.
In a poignant caption, India wrote: “The person I long to talk to about my mother’s funeral is my mother. I want to tell her every detail: how the flowers smelt, how the sun shone, how the choir lifted its voice to the rafters. I want to tell her about the cousin in the shiny suit, and the priest who kept her wishes and did not give a sermon.
“I want to tell her about the letters my brother read and about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren saying the bidding prayer, and the laughter on the lawn of her garden afterwards, as we had tea, and the Mr. Whippy ice cream van that she would have so enjoyed. In fact, she would have wondered why we had not thought to arrange one for every family occasion.”
She concluded: “And that is the strangest part of it, the person I most want to share it with, who I always share everything with, is the one we were saying goodbye to.”
Her followers were quick to offer their support in the comments. One said: “So beautifully written, India. Thinking of you,” while a second added: “She’s listening and watching over you.”
A third penned: “The good thing is you never have anything to regret. You were there for her such a lot and wrote that wonderful book. Saw her such a lot at the end. Not everyone has that luxury. So the memories are all good.”
© Getty ImagesAlthough Lady Pamela was a first cousin of King Charles, the monarch and other senior royals had to miss the funeral, with it being held on the same day as Trooping the Colour. However, in a statement following her death, Charles was said to have been “greatly saddened” by the death.
Lady Pamela’s death
India shared the news of her mother’s passing on Instagram. Alongside a black-and-white image of her late mother, she penned: “My mother died peacefully today. Whilst there is no tragedy in the death of a 97-year-old who has lived a full life. I know grief will be unavoidable, lurking around waiting for me, but today I am simply grateful that she was my Mother.
© getty“And through the prism of a crowded and remarkable past, she made incomparable company, carrying her memories lightly, and always with humour.”
She concluded: “My mother maintained right up to the end, the impeccable style, sharp mind, and effortless charm that made her not only a cherished institution, but truly the last of her kind.”
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