Obituary: Major the 14th Lord Napier & Ettrick, KCVO, Secretary to Princess Margaret and Chief of the Clan Napier

Lord Napier inherited one of the ancient titles of Scotland – dating back to the early 17th century – in 1954, and among his prominent forebears was John Napier of Merchistoun, the inventor of Logarithms.

Born: 5 December, 1930, in Selkirk. Died: 15 March, 2012, in Wiltshire, aged 81

Napier was in the Scots Guards and then a most loyal member of the Royal Household, serving Princess Margaret with much tact and distinction. Othe hectic time when her marriage was under pressure, one royal author has written: “Lord Napier, as equerry, helped to steer his emotional charge through the most difficult passage in her life.” It was those qualities that became the hallmark of his years of service to the Duke of Gloucester in the late 1950s and to the princess.

Charlie Napier, president of the Clan Napier Society, told The Scotsman: “He was very active and hugely supportive in matters relating to the clan. He was an excellent host and, despite being wheelchair-bound in recent years, Lord Napier was always interested and involved in the clan.

“In 1993 and again in 2000, we had visits from the American Napier Society and Lord Napier hosted a very enjoyable tea party in Ettrick village hall. Both were great occasions.

“Lord Napier was a charming gentleman of the old school; very good company – he had the ability to put everyone at their ease and make you feel at home.”

Through his wife, Delia, Napier had family connections with the Royal Family. Her maternal grandfather was Lord Blackburn (a Lord of Session) whose wife, Lady Constance Bowes-Lyon, was the daughter of the 13th Earl of Strathmore. Lady Napier was, therefore, a first cousin once removed of the Queen Mother, and a second cousin of the Queen.

Francis Nigel Napier was the son of the 13th peer and succeeded to the family titles on his father’s death in 1954. After Eton and Sandhurst, Napier was commissioned into the Scots Guards in 1950. He served in Malaya, but contracted polio and served as an adjutant in the 1st battalion from 1955-57. In 1958, for two years he was equerry to the Duke of Gloucester, but then retired from the army with the rank of major.

When he inherited the title Napier discovered that Thirlestane Castle, by Ettrick, was riddled with dry rot and was informed that the cost of restoring it was prohibitive. It had few outstanding architectural features and he decided that the castle should be demolished.

Napier fulfilled various posts – with the Commonwealth Relations Office and a Conservative whip in the Lords – but in 1973 he was appointed comptroller and equerry to Princess Margaret. It was a challenging appointment as her marriage to Lord Snowden was facing problems and their divorce in 1978 was a harrowing time for Napier. But with customary goodwill, courtesy and absolute loyalty he provided the princess with the support she needed.

His years with Princess Margaret (1973-1998 and then as treasurer until her death in 2002) necessitated Napier spending much time in England. He occupied an apartment in Kensington Palace and later in St James’ Palace. Napier was on call 24 hours a day and he and his wife often accompanied the princess to Villa Jolie on Mustique.

Napier’s tact and discretion were much in demand when the princess was involved with Roddy Llewellyn.

Napier maintained land and a home in the Ettrick valley and returned to Scotland when his duties permitted. A particularly pleasant occasion was receiving an honorary degree in 1993 from Napier University in Edinburgh.

In recent years, Napier moved south to be closer to his family, although he remained closely in touch with clan affairs – significantly the funeral is in Wiltshire but he will be buried in the Kirk at Ettrick in the ancient burial tomb of the Napiers.

Among the many notable events in his life, Napier handed over the instruments of independence on behalf of the Queen in 1978 of the Tuvala Islands (formerly the Ellice Islands) and acted as Purple Staff Officer at the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1966. Napier was also a Member Royal Company of Archers, a Deputy Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for Selkirkshire and County Councillor for Selkirkshire (1946-1948). He was president of the Border Area Council, British Legion, served on the committee of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and president of the St John’s Ambulance Association (1975-83)

Napier married in 1958, Delia Mary Pearson. She and their two sons and two daughters survive him. The titles are devolved to their elder son, Francis, Master of Napier.