It’s been a tough couple of weeks for the Queen after suffering a devastating loss of a relative, and the ultimate family betrayal.
News emerged earlier this month that Louise Sword, 53 – whose brother, Tim Taylor is married to the Queen’s cousin, Lady Helen Taylor – was killed in a horrific head-on car accident while on holiday in South Africa.
Ms Sword’s daughter Tabitha, 13, was also killed, while her husband Alistair, 53 and son Benjamin, 11, were cut free and are currently in a critical condition in hospital.
![louise](https://api.photon.aremedia.net.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/media/15213/louise-tabitha.png?resize=1024%2C766)
The devastating news was also compounded by the recent revelation that the Queen’s second cousin, Simo Rhodes, has been running $70,000 private visits to royal residences for wealthy American tourists.
![The Queen’s second cousin Simon is running royal tours for rich Americans.](https://api.photon.aremedia.net.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/media/15212/simon.png?resize=852%2C1023)
The act is seen as a huge betrayal as, despite Mr Rhodes being described a ‘royal family member,’ the 92-year-old monarch is said to greatly disapprove of relatives trading on their royal links.
This article originally appeared on New Idea.