Lord Charles O’Hagan, a close godson of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has sadly passed away at the age of 79, after succumbing to a severe head injury.
His death occurred on March 23 at the North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple, following a diagnosis of subdural hematoma, as revealed during an inquest session held in Exeter.
Known formally as Charles Towneley Strachey O’Hagan, he resided in Beaford, near Winkleigh, Devon.
O’Hagan was not just a part of royal history; he also made his mark in politics as a Conservative peer.
His tenure as a Member of the European Parliament for Devon spanned two distinct periods: first from 1973 to 1975, and again from 1979 to 1994.
As a young man, O’Hagan served the monarchy by taking on the ceremonial role of Page of Honour to the Queen between 1959 and 1962.
He was born in 1945 and remarkably inherited the title of 4th Baron O’Hagan at just 16 years old, following the passing of his grandfather.
His family lineage included notable figures, such as politician Maurice Towneley-O’Hagan, 3rd Baron O’Hagan, though the title skipped his father, Major Thomas Strachey, who passed away in 1955.
In a life filled with relationships, Lord O’Hagan experienced three marriages.
His first union was with Georgian Princess Tamara Imeretinsky, which lasted from 1967 until their divorce in 1984.
He then married Mary Claire Roose-Francis in a decade-long bond that concluded in 1995.
His final marriage to Elizabeth Lesley Eve Smith began the same year and lasted until his passing.
Remarkably, Lord O’Hagan became a member of the House of Lords at the tender age of 16, marking a quick ascent into the political arena.
However, his time in the upper house came to an abrupt end in 1999, when he, along with many hereditary peers, faced exclusion following reforms.
The personal connection with the monarchy is notable; O’Hagan was honored to have been chosen as the godson of then-Princess Elizabeth, well before she became the mother of her own children.
As a young Page of Honour, he witnessed the dawn of her reign, which began with her coronation in 1953.
The late Queen herself had 30 godchildren throughout her lifetime, including various relatives and close friends, signifying the deep connections formed within the royal family.
O’Hagan’s bond with the Queen was uniquely strong, as he held a special place in her early life and throughout her historic reign.
The news of Lord O’Hagan’s passing resonates as a reminder of the farewells many have felt since the Queen’s death on September 8, 2022.
She remains an iconic figure whose reign encapsulated 14 U.S. presidencies and 15 British Prime Ministers, continuing to cast a long shadow over royal history.
Queen Elizabeth’s legacy includes not only her extensive reign of 70 years and 214 days but also the personal ties she nurtured with those around her.
Following her ascension after the death of her father, King George VI, her life became intertwined with the narratives of many families, including that of O’Hagan.
In the wake of this loss, tributes have poured in for Lord O’Hagan, highlighting his contributions to public life and the special position he held within the royal circles.
His life story is interwoven with the threads of British history, marked by both political service and memorable royal engagements.
As we reflect on Lord O’Hagan’s life and his connection to one of the greatest monarchies in history, we are reminded of the bonds that tie us to our past and the legacy we leave for future generations.