A COURTIER who served the Queen Mother for more than 40 years died from an industrial related disease after coming into contact with asbestos while working at Clarence House, an inquest was told.
The Queen Mother’s former private secretary Sir Alastair Sturgis Aird, who spent his last years living at Marnhull, died aged 78 on September 30 last year after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
An inquest into his death held at County Hall in Dorchester heard how Sir Alastair ‘always believed’ he had come into contact with asbestos while carrying out his royal duties at Clarence House.
Sir Alastair retired from his royal role and moved to Dorset in 2002.
He was diagnosed in with mesothelioma in September 2007 and died two years later at home.
Sir Alastair’s wife, Lady Fiona Aird, a godmother to David Cameron, said: “Alastair always believed that he must have been exposed to asbestos at Clarence House.”
Graham Sharpe, director of property section of the Royal Household, said when the asbestos was removed in around 1996 it was done so in accordance with regulations and the buildings were vacated.
West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston said: “I think the likelihood is that he was exposed to asbestos while working at Clarence House. I am going to record a verdict that he died of an industrial disease.”
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