The Honourable Dame Shân Legge-Bourke has died at her Glanusk home at the age of 82.

Her death was announced by her family who described her as ‘an inspiration’.

A statement from Glanusk Estate said, “We are very sad to announce the death of The Honourable Dame Shân Legge-Bourke DCVO CstJ who died peacefully at home surrounded by all her children.

“We are devastated to lose our mother. She was an inspiration to us all, and to many people she met over her years of service to Wales, and the countless organisations and institutions she supported.

“A country girl at heart, she has left an indelible legacy at Glanusk, the wider countryside and beyond.”

The daughter of William Bailey, the 3rd Lord Glanusk, she inherited the 18,000-acre Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell on his death in 1948 when she was only five years old and went on to be at the forefront of public life for many decades and was also a friend of the Royal Family and lady in waiting to HRH the Princess Royal. Her daughter Tiggy was famously nanny to Prince William and Harry.

Dame Shan served as Lord Lieutenant of Powys and chaired the Brecon and Radnor Country and Land Association. She also acted as High Sheriff of Powys, President of Save the Children in Wales, President of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society and the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs.

She was also honorary colonel of the Infantry Battle School in Brecon and Governor of Christ College Brecon as well and supported countless other organisations across the county.

She was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in 1988 and in the 2015 New Year Honours was promoted to Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (DCVO).

In 2006 she was the subject of a BBC Wales series entitled The Lady of Glanusk which saw her hands on work in running the Glanusk Estate.

Her husband Captain William Legge-Bourke died in 2009. She leaves three children Alexandra (Tiggy), Zara and Harry.

Commenting on the news, Cllr William Powell, Chair of Powys County said:"The passing of the Hon Dame Shân Legge-Burke - Mrs LB or just plain Shân as she was affectionately known to thousands - marks, in a very real sense, the end of an era.

"The legions of organisations that she served, as patron, president or sponsor, will miss her, as will their members. She was as popular with - and respected by - local shopkeepers in her beloved Crickhowell, tradesmen, and estate workers on the Glanusk Estate and pupils in local schools as she was amongst the aristocracy and in Royal circles.

"She was a fearlessly independent voice and a defender of the rural way of life, which she felt was under threat. She was, in a very real sense, irreplaceable - it is no surprise, therefore, that PAVO, the Powys voluntary sector body that she served so diligently as president until 2021, chose not to appoint a successor on her retirement.

"However, the overriding quality that I will always associate with Shân - even more than her work rate and her love of her native Breconshire - was her overwhelming sense of duty.

"The last time I saw Shân - at the President's Lunch at the Royal Welsh Show in July - she was visibly frail. However, with her son Harry at her side, she had an absolute determination to do her duty and to welcome her friend, the Princess Royal, to Llanelwedd.

“More important than the rich tapestry of her public life, however, Shân was a loyal, devoted wife to the late Bill Legge- Burke and a proud mother and grandmother. Whilst saluting Shân, we must also express our sincere condolences to Tiggy, Zara, and Harry and their respective families, who mourn her loss the most acutely.

“Rest in Peace Shan - we will not see your like again,” said Cllr Powell.

MS for Brecon and Radnorshire James Evans said: “I am very sad to learn of the passing of Dame Shân Legge-Bourke.

“She dedicated her life to public service and to the people of Powys, serving for many years as Lord Lieutenant and supporting countless local charities and organisations. She carried out her duties with great dignity, kindness, and commitment.

“My thoughts are with her family, friends, and all those across Powys who will feel her loss. May she rest in peace.”

Local groups have paid tribute with many praising her down to earth manner and wit.

A spokesman for the Crickhowell Archives Centre of which she was president said, “We are so sorry to hear this news. The trustees and volunteers of the Crickhowell District Archive Centre, of which she was the very much valued president, send their sincere condolences.”

Local author David Addis said, “She was a wonderful inspiration and will be missed by everyone that knew her and she gave me the confidence in producing the two books I produced writing the forward in Crickhowell Yesterday the loss will certainly have a massive affect on the town of Crickhowell.”