King Charles's lifelong friend the Marquess of Reading dies aged 84 as fashion designer daughter Lady Natasha pays emotional tribute

King Charles's lifelong friend the Marquess of Reading has died aged 84, with his daughter Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs paying an emotional tribute to her 'incredible father and grandfather'.Simon Rufus Isaacs, the fourth Marquess of Reading, had been close to the King for decades, with their families sharing longstanding ties.His death was announced by Natasha, 43, on Instagram on Wednesday, alongside a collection of family photos, including a childhood picture of her smiling as her father held her in his arms.The fashion designer, whose luxury clothing label Beulah London is a favourite of the Princess of Wales, revealed that her father had shown immense bravery towards the end of his life.'Daddy, Uppa, how incredibly blessed we were to have had such an incredible father and grandfather for so many years,' she wrote.'Every photo I can find is of you with my girls, hugging them, playing with them. You loved them with all your heart, and you showed them unconditional love. How blessed were we.'You fought the good fight right up until the end, your bravery was immense and I am so proud of you. Your legacy will live on in us all.'Natasha also revealed how she and her mother, Melinda, took comfort in the thought that they would one day be reunited. The Marquess of Reading with his daughter, Lady Natasha, at her wedding in 2013. Lady Natasha and the Marquess of Reading at a charity gala in 2014.'As mummy and I prayed as you went into heaven, we told you you were only getting on an earlier train and we will see you again,' she wrote.'Syb's had a picture at the train station of you jumping on a train, in your former self, waving and smiling. Until we meet again, daddy.'She ended her tribute with a passage from the Bible, 2 Timothy 4: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith'.Natasha did not disclose the cause of her father's death.Simon was a prominent figure in the royal social circle. An Old Etonian and former banker, he was described as a lifelong friend of Charles, having grown up together as children.His son Julian Rufus Isaacs, 40, a close childhood friend of Prince Harry, now inherits the family title, becoming the fifth Marquess of Reading.Julian, previously known as Viscount Erleigh, was a member of Harry's exclusive Gloucestershire social circle, nicknamed the 'Glosse Posse', which included his former girlfriend Chelsy Davy.Natasha was also close to both royal brothers and was reportedly among the friends Prince William turned to for support following his temporary split from Kate Middleton in 2007.She later became closely connected to the Princess of Wales in another way.In 2013, Natasha married Rupert Finch, a solicitor who had previously dated Kate when they were students at the University of St Andrews, before her romance with William began. The Marquess of Reading with Prince Michael of Kent at the Blue Heart Campaign Launch in 2011. The Marchioness and Marquess of Reading at the Royal Versailles Ball in 2022.William and Kate attended the couple's wedding in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, while Natasha and Rupert had been guests at the royal wedding two years earlier.The couple have three daughters, Georgia, Cienna and India, to whom Simon was a devoted grandfather, according to Natasha's tribute.Natasha founded Beulah London with her friend Lavinia Brennan in 2010, creating a socially conscious fashion label which works with organisations supporting vulnerable women.Kate has repeatedly championed the British brand, wearing its elegant dresses for royal engagements, while Natasha also counts Princess Beatrice and other members of high society among her friends.Simon married Melinda Dewar in 1979 and the couple had three children: Lady Sybilla Rufus Isaacs, Natasha and Julian.He served as an officer in the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards before embarking on a career in finance and business, including a spell as a member of the London Stock Exchange.He inherited the marquessate from his father, Michael, the third Marquess of Reading, in 1980, and was also involved in numerous charitable causes throughout his life.His family boasts one of the most extraordinary histories in the British aristocracy.The title was created by King George V in 1926 for Simon's great-grandfather, Rufus Isaacs, who rose from comparatively humble beginnings to become Lord Chief Justice, Viceroy of India and Foreign Secretary.The first Marquess was the only Jewish person ever to be elevated to the rank of marquess in the British peerage.