Private Collections

Lady Airlie: A Life of Grace, Service, and Style

29 September 2025

Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie (1933 - 2024) was a distinguished figure in the British royal household, best remembered as the first American-born Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II, a role she held with devotion and discretion from 1973 until the Queen’s death in 2022.

This Autumn we are honoured to present select pieces from her personal jewellery collection, including The Airlie Tiara, in our London Jewellery auction on 22 October. This follows the successful sale of selected contents from her Scottish and London residences sold Five Centuries on 03 September.

London Jewellery ft. The Collection of Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Dowager Countess of Airlie

Browse the next Jewellery auction on 22 October 2025.

Born Virginia Fortune Ryan on 9 February 1933, she was the daughter of John Barry Ryan Jr. and Margaret (Nin) Kahn. Her maternal grandfather was the renowned German-American financier and philanthropist Otto Kahn, a prominent figure in New York society and a leading patron of the arts. Virginia spent her childhood between New York City and Newport, Rhode Island, and was educated at the Brearley School in Manhattan, later attending the James Franklyn School of Professional Arts.

From an early age, Virginia developed a fondness for England. Each year, her mother brought her to London, where they stayed in a flat overlooking St James’s Park. During one such visit, at the age of 16, she met David Ogilvy at a dance at the Savoy Hotel. Three years later, he proposed, and in October 1952 they were married at St Margaret’s, Westminster, in a grand ceremony attended by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.

THE AIRLIE TIARA

The Airlie Tiara was made towards the end of the 19th century and was first worn by Mabell, Countess of Airlie. In 1901 she was made Lady of the Bedchamber to the then Princess of Wales, later to become Queen Mary. Latterly the Airlie Tiara was regularly seen worn by Mabell's granddaughter-in-law, Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, Countess of Airlie.

The Airlie Tiara was worn with a high degree of regularity. It could be seen at numerous State Openings of Parliament, official overseas visits, State Banquets and Gala Receptions at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, amongst other high profile events.

David Ogilvy came from a distinguished Scottish family with close ties to the monarchy. On succeeding as 13th Earl of Airlie in 1968, he and Virginia divided their time between their home in Chelsea and the family’s estate in Angus, Cortachy Castle, where they raised six children: three sons and three daughters. The couple became part of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s social circle, often joining them at Sandringham and Balmoral.

Lady Airlie was devoted to the arts and served on the Royal Fine Art Commission, as a trustee of both the Friends of the Tate and the National Gallery, and as chair of the American Museum in Britain. She also sat on the board of the National Galleries of Scotland, reflecting her lifelong commitment to cultural life on both sides of the Atlantic.

VERDURA

A DIAMOND UNICORN BROOCH, MID 20TH CENTURY

Margaret (Nin) and Maud (Momo) Kahn (Virginia Ogilvy's mother and aunt), were friends of Duke Fulco di Verdura. The three would have likely met while summering in Venice in 1923 and remained friends.

It appears that their friendships continued for decades and the young Virginia Ryan, Margaret’s daughter, also befriended Fulco. Fulco was famous for never letting clients into his studio. It is said that when an important client would appear at his atelier, he would shout out “Tell them I’m dead!” so as to avoid having to meet them. In Verdura; The Life and Work of a Master Jeweler, Patricia Corbett writes “Nin Ryan's daughter Ginn (Virginia Ryan), who had special permission to visit Fulco on her way home after school, was one of the few people allowed to watch him work.”

On 1 January 1973, she was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II—the first American ever to hold the role. Remarkably, her husband’s grandmother, Mabell, Countess of Airlie, had also served in the same position to Queen Mary, making Virginia’s appointment a continuation of family tradition. Over the next five decades, she became one of the Queen’s most trusted companions, accompanying her on official overseas tours, engagements across the UK, and high-profile state occasions, including visits from U.S. presidents.

In 1984, her husband joined her in royal service when he was appointed Lord Chamberlain, overseeing the workings of the royal household. Together, they embodied loyalty and discretion at the heart of the monarchy.

MID 19TH CENTURY
A MULTI-STRAND PEARL CHOKER WITH DIAMOND CLASP
This necklace appears to have been one of the Dowager Countess' favourites to wear along with the Airlie Tiara. On nearly every occasion where the she wore the Airlie Tiara, she did so also wearing this necklace, and also very frequently lot 5, the detachable mabé pearl and diamond earrings.

Despite her noble marriage and high standing, Lady Airlie was widely admired for her warmth, wit, and lack of pretension. The legendary photographer Cecil Beaton once described her as “a paragon of gaiety and dignity,” a sentiment that captured her grace both in royal circles and in private life.

She was appointed Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO) in 1995 in recognition of her service. Following the death of her husband in 2023, Lady Airlie remained at Cortachy until her own passing in August 2024 at the age of 91. Upon her death, King Charles III paid tribute, noting her “immense devotion and dedicated service” to his late mother.

Illustrated:

Top - Virginia Ryan, debutante, wearing Dior tulle gown. Photo by Cecil Beaton - Conde Nast via Getty Images
First Grid from left - The 13th Earl And Countess of Airlie In London - Image The Fincher FilesPopperfoto; The Airlie Tiara; Nicolas de Gunzburg, bottom left, with Mrs. John Barry Ryan, Mrs. Alistair Mackintosh, and Duc Fulco di Verdura. Photographed by Toni Frissell, 1935 - Image Courtesy of the Family
Lower Grid from left - Lady Airlie's Sloane Court Apartment, Image John D Wood / Lady Airlie Image Courtesy of the Family / The Drawing Room of Airlie House, Image Savills

Department
Jewellery