Lord Harewood, a first cousin of the Queen, died at home aged 88, a family spokesman said.

George Lascelles, the seventh Earl of Harewood, was best known to opera lovers and served as chairman of English National Opera and was a founder of Opera North.

Lord Harewood also took a keen interest in football, and was president of Leeds United since 1961 and president of the Football Association from 1963-72.

Richard Mantle, general director of Opera North, described Lord Harewood as “a great promoter of talent”.

He said: “It leaves an enormous hole for quite a lot of us. He was passionate that music and art should be enjoyed by everybody.

“At English National Opera he wanted opera to be in the language of the audience. It may not have been to everybody’s taste, but it was certainly his.

“George was one of those people, if he had an interest in something it was a passion. He was a great promoter of talent. He made hundreds of careers in the arts.”

Mr Mantle added: “He was a man of enormous charm. He was a fantastic raconteur and was a convivial person to be with.

“Although he had his own mind I think he was quite liberal in the way he thought about things, this egalitarian right for everyone to have access. He thought that if you had talent, you had a right to develop it. He was rigorous about ensuring quality was promoted.”

Leeds United said they had been planning a surprise party in September to mark his 50th anniversary as president.

Chairman Ken Bates told the club’s official website: “Although he was royalty he always treated me as an equal and I feel like I have lost a true friend.”

Lord Harewood died at the family’s home, Harewood House, near Leeds.