The poignant caption was shared alongside a touching photo of Lady Annabel sharing a light-hearted moment with Sulaiman and Kasim, two of her 18 grandchildren. In a show of solidarity, the post was re-shared by Jemima’s brother Zac Goldsmtih, who revealed his mother ‘adored and respected’ her former son-in-law.
Lady Annabel, ultimate hostess and power player of the social scene, was the mother of six children including Zac, Jemima, and financier and environmentalist Ben Goldsmith. She also shared three children with her first husband, Mark Birley, including artist India Jane Birley and Robin Birley, who presides over the royals‘ favourite club, Oswald’s. Her eldest son, Rupert, died in mysterious circumstances in 1986.
News of Lady Annabel’s death at the age of 91 sent shockwaves through society. In the days since, those closest to her have been sharing moving tributes, revealing the deeply personal loss behind the headlines.
Imran Khan and his mother-in-law Lady Annabel Goldsmith leaving the Portland Hospital, London, after visiting his wife, Jemima, and their newborn son
David Cheskin – PA Images/Getty Images
‘It still felt sudden – a devastating shock,’ Jemima Goldsmith wrote of the death of her mother.’ She also shared moving details of the final moments of her mother’s life, telling how she had passed away ‘peacefully’ in her sleep after spending time in hospital. In a post shared on Instagram on Monday, Jemima wrote, ‘It’s the natural order of things. It’s coming down the line for everyone with living parents — and yet, still, I just cannot fathom a world without Mum in it. (“Mum” to everyone, including her 18 grandchildren.)
‘Even though she was 91 and had lived a huge life, we were still unprepared. It still felt sudden — a devastating shock. As a recently bereaved friend said to me, “There’s no getting round the shock of it. Mums are a big deal.” Losing the person who brought you into this world is a big deal. I took it for granted that she’d be presiding over us forever.