Simon Rufus Isaacs, the fourth Marquess of Reading and a lifelong friend of King Charles, has died at the age of 84. His daughter, fashion designer Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, announced his death on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing a tribute that highlighted his bravery and devotion to his family.
"Daddy, Uppa, how incredibly blessed we were to have had such an incredible father and grandfather for so many years," Lady Natasha wrote, accompanied by family photographs. "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."
She added, "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."
Lady Natasha also shared that she and her mother, Melinda, found comfort in the belief of a future reunion. "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. She concluded 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."
The cause of the Marquess's death was not disclosed. Simon Rufus Isaacs, an Old Etonian and former banker, had maintained a close friendship with King Charles for decades, with their families sharing deep-rooted ties.
His son, Julian Rufus Isaacs, 40, now inherits the family title as the fifth Marquess of Reading. Julian was a close childhood friend of Prince Harry and was part of his Gloucestershire social circle. Lady Natasha was also reportedly a source of support for Prince William following his temporary split from Kate Middleton in 2007.
Lady Natasha, co-founder of the luxury clothing label Beulah London, is a favorite of the Princess of Wales. She married Rupert Finch, a solicitor, in 2013. Both William and Kate attended their wedding. The couple has three daughters: Georgia, Cienna, and India, who were cherished by their grandfather.
The first Marquess of Reading, Rufus Isaacs, was Simon's great-grandfather. The title was created by King George V in 1926. Rufus Isaacs had a notable career, serving as Lord Chief Justice, Viceroy of India, and Foreign Secretary. He was the only Jewish person to be elevated to the rank of Marquess in the British peerage.
Simon Rufus Isaacs served as an officer in the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards before pursuing a career in finance and business, including a tenure on the London Stock Exchange. He inherited the marquessate in 1980 and was involved in numerous charitable endeavors throughout his life.