Royal Households of the United Kingdom

The Royal Households of the United Kingdom are the collective departments that support members of the British royal family. Many members of the royal family who undertake public duties have separate households. They vary considerably in size, from the large household that supports the sovereign to the household of the Prince and Princess of Wales, with fewer members.

In addition to the royal officials and support staff, the sovereign's own household incorporates representatives of other estates of the realm, including the government, the military, and the church. Government whips, defence chiefs, several clerics, scientists, musicians, poets, and artists hold honorary positions within the Royal Household. In this way, the Royal Household may be seen as having a symbolic, as well as a practical, function: exemplifying the monarchy's close relationship with other parts of the constitution and of national life.

History

Anglo-Saxon period (871–1066)

The royal household has roots in the comitatus that provided military support to early Anglo-Saxon kings. In addition to the royal family, the household would have included a large staff of domestic servants, military personnel, priests, and clerks. Household members included noble thegns for whom such service could lead to promotion to higher office. The highest ranking officers were:

• Discthegns: seneschals in charge of food provisions.
• Burthegns, bedthegns, and hræglthegns 'raiment-thegns' (Latin:cubicularii, camerarii): chamberlains that supervised the royal bedchamber (Latin: camera) and wardrobe (garderoba).
• Byrelas (Latin:pincernae): butlers.

Cnut the Great (r. 1016–1035) introduced officers known as stallers, who were close to the king and very wealthy. There could be as many as eight stallers at once, and they probably supervised the housecarls (royal bodyguards).

Other officers included the stewards (stigweardas) and the marshals (horsethegns) in charge of the royal stables and household travel. The household also included priests, who also probably had noble backgrounds. Priests in the royal chapel performed religious duties and acted as royal secretaries—writing letters, charters, and other official documents. By the reign of Edward the Confessor (r. 1042–1066), the chapel's writing office had custody of the great seal used to authenticate writs. Service in the royal chapel could be a stepping stone towards becoming a bishop.

Even though it traveled constantly with the king as an itinerant court, the royal household was the center of the Anglo-Saxon government. Initially, household officers performed domestic tasks (such as overseeing food, clothing, royal stables, or travel). As the king's administrative and judicial responsibilities expanded, public duties were delegated to household officers, making them state officers as well. Typically, each office had two or three holders who most likely served on a rotating basis.

The Merovingian and Carolingian royal households had similar offices, and there is evidence that it influenced its English counterpart. However, there was no English equivalent to the powerful office of major domus (Latin for "mayor of the palace"), and English kings maintained ultimate authority over their households.

Anglo-Norman period (1066–1154)

By the time of Henry I (r. 1100–1135), the royal household was divided into five departments as described in the Constitutio Domus Regis:

1. The chapel served the king's spiritual and secretarial needs. The priests in the chapel said mass, heard confessions, and kept royal relics. The chapel was led by the lord chancellor and his subordinate officer, the master of the writing office (or chancery). This official supervised the priests who wrote various government documents and had custody of the great seal used to validate documents issued in the king's name.
2. The chamber saw to the king's personal needs and was the main financial office of the government. The chamber was led by the master chamberlain (Latin: magister camerarius, later called the Lord Great Chamberlain), lesser chamberlains, and other officials. The chamber had two divisions: the royal bedchamber (Latin: camera regis) and the chamber of the court (Latin: camera curie). The latter chamber handled the finances.
3. The hall was led by four stewards who served in rotation. They were great barons and influential, but the office itself never developed into a major administrative post. Their duties were primarily ceremonial, such as serving the king dishes at banquets.
4. The buttery was led by the butler.
5. The constabulary-marshalsea constituted the outdoor staff and the familia militaris (Latin for military household). The outdoor staff included huntsmen, houndsmen, and foresters. The military household were knights who received wages and formed the backbone of the army. Historian C. W. Hollister likened it to "something between a royal bodyguard ... and a small standing army." This department was controlled by three to four constables. The constables were assisted by a master-marshal and four undermarshals. The marshals acted as ushers, preserving order in the king's hall. They also recorded household expenditures on tallies.

Plantagenet period (1066–1485)

Domestic Household Expenses

King	Year(s)	Cost	Inflation adjusted
Henry III	1236–37	£4,000	£5,398,333 today
Edward I	N/A	£7,000–£14,000 per year	£7,818,276–£15,636,552 today
Edward II	1324–25	£4,500	£4,004,258 today
Edward III	N/A	£10,000–£12,000 per year	£11,485,816–£13,782,979 today
Edward III	after 1340	£20,000 per year	£18,403,409 today

According to the Liber Niger Domus Regis Angliae (the Black Book of the household of Edward IV) written between 1467 and 1477, the household was divided into the Domus Providencie (the Hall) and the Domus Regie Magnificencie (the Chamber). The Domus Providencie was led by the lord steward. The Domus Regie Magnificencie was led by the lord chamberlain.

Household of Edward IV

Hall	Chamber
Lord Steward	Lord Chamberlain
Board of Green Cloth Treasurer of the Household Comptroller of the Household Cofferer of the Household two Clerks of the Green Cloth	Royal apartments body servants waiting staff royal physicians chaplains gentleman ushers yeoman ushers grooms pages
Service areas (kitchens, bakehouse, buttery, laundry, woodyard, etc)
Great hall (where most of the household officers ate)

Sometime in the 15th century, the chamber divided into two sub-departments: the great chamber and the privy chamber. The privy chamber was overseen by grooms of the chamber, led by the groom of the stool. The groom of the stool was one of the most powerful officials in the household until the office was abolished in 1837. He or she (when the monarch was female) acted as a royal gatekeeper, allowing or denying other household officials access to the monarch.

Evolution of great officers of state

Over time, the offices of Lord High Steward and Lord Great Chamberlain lost both their political functions, which were taken over by the Chief Justiciar and Lord High Treasurer, and their domestic functions, which were taken over by the lord steward and lord chamberlain. The marshalship and the constableship became hereditary, and, although the Lord High Constable and Earl Marshal retained their military authority until a comparatively late period, their original duties were transferred to the master of the horse. In these circumstances, the holders of the original great offices of state and the household ceased to attend court except on occasions of extraordinary ceremony, and their representatives either by inheritance or by special appointment continued to appear at coronations and some other public solemnities, such as the State Opening of Parliament or trials by the House of Lords.

20th century

In its main outlines the existing organisation of the royal household is essentially the same as it was under the Tudors or the Plantagenets. It is divided into three principal departments, at the head of which are the lord steward, the lord chamberlain and the master of the horse, and the respective provinces of which may be generally described as "below stairs", "above stairs" and "out of doors". The duties of these officials, and the various officers under their charge are dealt with in the articles under those headings. When the reigning sovereign is a queen, the royal household is in some other respects rather differently arranged from that of a king and a queen consort.

Under a king and a queen consort, a separate establishment "above stairs" and "out of doors" works for the queen consort. She has a Lord Chamberlain's department of her own, and all the ladies of the court from the Mistress of the Robes to the Maids of Honour are in her service. At the commencement of the reign of Queen Victoria, the two establishments were combined, and considerably reduced. On the accession of Edward VII, the civil list was again reconstituted; while the household of the king and his consort became larger than during the previous reign, redundant or unnecessary offices were merged or abolished.

The household of Elizabeth II included 1,200 employees. This was roughly the same size as Charles II's household but larger than Victoria's, whose staff numbered 921.

The King and Queen

See also: Court appointment

Start of the new reign

Appointing a new monarch's household can take some time; in 1952 the full list of appointments to the new Queen's household was not published until almost six months after her accession to the throne.

In 2022, walking in the state procession for the state funeral of Elizabeth II, the new King was followed by his Private Secretary, Principal Private Secretary, Master of the Household and two Equerries; however, since the King's new household had yet to be appointed they were gazetted, not as 'His Majesty's Household', but as the 'Household of the former Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall'.

On 13 September, five days after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, 100 staff who had been working for King Charles III while he was Prince of Wales were notified of potential redundancies. This reflects the uncertain situation of members of the Royal Households at the start of each new reign: in the days following the death of King James I in 1625, the Countess of Bedford remarked 'What the King's resolution is yet for his own and his father's servants, he hath not declared (farther than the white staves, which are to remain as they were); but for the green cloth and other inferior officers both of the household and chamber, it is thought that he will employ his own and dismiss his father's, because he hath caused the latter all to be removed to Denmark House to attend the body, and lodged the former about himself at Whitehall'.

As consort of the British sovereign, Queen Camilla will receive a household of her own. Traditionally, queens consort have appointed their own Lord Chamberlain and various ladies-in-waiting as part of their household. This tradition was scrapped in accordance with the King's view of having a slimmed-down monarchy, and instead of ladies-in-waiting, Queen Camilla will be served by "Queen's companions", a group of six ladies that will occupy the new occasional and informal position and will not be involved in tasks such as replying to letters or developing schedules. The Queen's companions are the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Jane von Westenholz, Lady Brooke, Sarah Troughton, Lady Sarah Keswick and Baroness Chisholm. Major Ollie Plunket will serve as the Queen's equerry. Queen Elizabeth II's ladies-in-waiting will be given new roles as "ladies of the household".

Present arrangements

The Household is for the time being configured as follows (according to the arrangements inherited from Elizabeth II):

Great Officers

The Great Officers of the Household are, in order of seniority, the Lord Steward, the Lord Chamberlain and the Master of the Horse. Only the Lord Chamberlain fulfils an executive function; while the other two continue to have a ceremonial role, and are to be seen particularly on State occasions.

Lord Chamberlain

The Royal Household is coordinated by the part-time Lord Chamberlain (The Lord Benyon).

Heads of departments

The Private Secretary to the Sovereign (Rt Hon. Sir Clive Alderton KCVO since 2022), manages the Private Secretary's Office, and controls the Press Office, the Royal Archives, and the Defence Services Secretary's Office, serves as principal advisor to the Sovereign and serves as the principal channel of communication between the Sovereign and his or her governments. Besides these, he also manages the Sovereign's official programme and correspondence.

The Keeper of the Privy Purse has responsibility for the Sovereign's personal finances and those to do with semi-private concerns, along with, as Treasurer to the King oversight of the civil list. The two positions are held together and, since 2018, they have both been held by Sir Michael Stevens KCVO.

The Master of the Household, since 2013, has been Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt KCVO CB OBE and has overall responsibility for the domestic workings of the Household.

The Lord Chamberlain's Office, led by its Comptroller current Lt-Colonel Michael Vernon, is responsible for official royal occasions.

The Royal Collection Department is overseen by its Director who since February 2018 is Tim Knox.

Other units

The Royal Almonry, Ecclesiastical Household, and Medical Household are functionally separate. For accounting purposes they are the responsibility of the Keeper of the Privy Purse and Treasurer to the King.

The Crown Equerry has day-to-day operation of the Royal Mews, and is part of the Lord Chamberlain's Office. The other equerries have a different role: attending and assisting the King in his official duties from day to day. (Historically, they too were part of the mews, but today they are entirely separate.)

The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood is also under the Lord Chamberlain's Office, as is the office of the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps.

The College of Arms has been a branch of the Royal Household since its incorporation in 1484 by King Richard III it was directly appointed by the Sovereign on the recommendation of Earl Marshal. The college is a corporation of thirteen royal heralds, overseen by the Earl Marshal, a hereditary office held by the Duke of Norfolk. The college is self-supporting and receives no funds from the Crown. The college holds jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to heraldry, genealogy, and pedigrees in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and in some Commonwealth realms.

Certain independent and honorific posts include Master of the King's Music, Piper to the Sovereign, Poet Laureate, and Astronomer Royal. The King's Bargemaster, the Keeper of the Jewel House, the Serjeants-at-Arms, and the Warden and Marker of the Swans, perform less celebrated functions.

The offices of Treasurer of the Household, Comptroller of the Household, and Vice-Chamberlain of the Household are held by senior government whips in the House of Commons. In the House of Lords, the Government Chief Whip is usually appointed Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms and the Deputy Chief Whip as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard, with junior whips appointed as lords-in-waiting and baronesses-in-waiting. Occasionally these officers are called upon to undertake Household duties, especially the Vice-Chamberlain, who is responsible for writing regular parliamentary reports for the King.

If the monarch is female she has ladies-in-waiting (formally styled either ladies of the bedchamber or women of the bedchamber), some of whom are in personal attendance on a daily basis. They are overseen by the Mistress of the Robes, who traditionally was head of the female household. If the monarch is male these roles are instead attached to the Household of the Queen consort.

The Household includes a number of honorary military appointments: the aides-de-camp to the King (who are usually very high-ranking officers of the three armed services), the two Gold Sticks and the Vice Admiral and Rear Admiral of the United Kingdom. In addition, the two corps of royal bodyguards (the Gentlemen at Arms and the Yeomen of the Guard) are part of the Household.

Gentlemen ushers are unpaid members of the Royal Household, often retired military officers, who provide occasional assistance as marshals at royal events. The Lady Usher of the Black Rod is an important official in the Houses of Parliament; but technically she too is a member of the Royal Household (and acts as the King's messenger at the State Opening).

The royal residences (see list of British royal residences) in current use are cared for and maintained by the Royal Household Property Section directly from the grant-in-aid provided by Parliament, whereas Balmoral Castle and Sandringham House are privately owned and maintained. The unoccupied royal residences (including the Tower of London) are run by the Historic Royal Palaces Agency, which is self-funding.

The Scottish Royal Household

The Royal Household in Scotland includes offices of personal, honorary and state appointments. Many appointments are vacant having fallen into abeyance; been abolished or returned to The Crown; merged with other positions both before and after the Union of the Crown with England; or due to lack of a clear office holder.

The Great Officers of the Royal Household (not to be confused with the Great Officers of State of Scotland which are political and judicial appointments, or the Great Officers of the Crown of Scotland though some officers are shared) are:

• Lord High Constable – Merlin Hay, 24th Earl of Erroll
• Master of the Household – Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
• Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Alexander Douglas-Hamilton, 16th Duke of Hamilton
• Armour-Bearer and Squire of His Majesty's Body – traditionally held by the Setons of Touch
• Bearer of the Royal Banner – Alexander Scrymgeour, 12th Earl of Dundee
• Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland – Ian Maitland, 18th Earl of Lauderdale
• Lord Justice General of Scotland – Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway
• Great Steward of Scotland – William, Duke of Rothesay

Ecclesiastical officers of the Ecclesiastical Household of Scotland:

• Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland – Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
• Bishop of the Chapel Royal – (Vacant since the ruination of the Chapel Royal and disestablishment of the (Episcopal) Church of Scotland c. 1689)
• Royal Almoner – (Vacant)
• Dean of the Chapel Royal – Professor David Fergusson OBE QHC FRSE FBA
• Dean of the Thistle, an officer of the Order of the Thistle – Professor David Fergusson OBE QHC FRSE FBA
• 2 Chaplains:
  • The minister at Crathie Kirk
  • The minister at Canongate Kirk
• 10 Church of Scotland Honorary Chaplains to the King

Officers of Administration and Legal Officers:

• Lord High Chamberlain – (Vacant)
• Treasurer of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Comptroller of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Great Marischal of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Knight Marischal – (Vacant)
• Justiciar of Scotia – (Vacant)
• Justiciar of Lothian – (Vacant)
• Justiciar of Galloway – (Vacant)
• King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer – John Logue
• Gentleman Usher of the White Rod – The Rt Rev. Dr John A. Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh
• Master of the Mint in Scotland – (Vacant)
• Bailie of the Abbey Court of Holyroodhouse –

Governors, Captains and Keepers of Palaces and Castles:

• Governor of Edinburgh Castle – Major General Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce of Crionaich OBE VR DL
• Falkland Palace – Ninian Crichton-Stuart
• Stirling Castle – the Earl of Mar and Kellie
• Dunstaffnage Castle – the Duke of Argyll
• Dunconnel Castle – Sir Charles Edward Maclean of Dunconnel Bt, 2nd Baronet of Strachur and Glensluain, Baron Strachur
• Linlithgow Palace – (Vacant)
• Carrick Castle – the Duke of Argyll
• Dumbarton Castle – Brigadier Donald Hardie
• Dunstaffnage Castle – the Duke of Argyll
• Tarbert Castle – the Duke of Argyll
• Dunfermline Palace – (Vacant)
• Castle Sween – the Duke of Argyll
• Blackness Castle – (Vacant)
• Keeper and Ranger of the Park of Holyroodhouse – (Vacant – associated with the Earl of Haddington until 1844)

Heraldic Officers and Keepers of the Regalia:

• Lord Lyon King of Arms – The Reverend Canon Joseph John Morrow CBE KStJ KC DL
• The Lord Lyon King of Arms's heralds and pursuivants
• Commissioners for the Safekeeping of the Regalia
• Deputy-keeper of the Honours of Scotland
• Yeoman-Keepers of the Honours of Scotland

Officers of the Order of the Thistle:

• Chancellor of the Order of the Thistle – (Vacant)
• Secretary of the Order of the Thistle - Mrs Elizabeth Roads LVO
• Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod – Rear Admiral Christopher Hope Layman CB DSO LVO

The Household Division, Sovereign's Body Guard, King's Guard, and ceremonial military posts and bodies:

• Lieutenant General of the North – (Vacant)
• Lord Warden of the Marches – (Vacant)
• Lord High Admiral of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Vice Admiral of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Admiral of the Western Coasts and Isles – Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll
• Lord High Admiral of the Firth of Forth
• Vice-Admiral of Orkney and Shetland – (Vacant – historically associated with the Sheriff Depute of Orkney and Shetland)
• Gold Stick and Silver Stick for Scotland
• The Royal Company of Archers, the monarch's bodyguard in Scotland
• High Constables and Guard of Honour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse
• Doorward Guard of Partisans – personal retainers of the Lord High Constable of Scotland and bodyguard to the sovereign
• The Scots Guards
• The Mounted Troop of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards – Ceremonial mounted unit based at Edinburgh Castle, assembled for events such as the Waterloo Day celebrations
• Balaklava Company of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland – tasked with State and Ceremonial Duties in Scotland such as mounting the Guard at Holyrood Palace
• Piper to the Sovereign and senior members of the Royal Family
• Her Majesty's state trumpeters in Scotland
• Postilions, Grooms and Footmen of the Scottish State Coach

Other hereditary and non-hereditary offices and Court appointments:

• Master Carver for Scotland – Sir Sebastian Anstruther of Balcluskie
• Butler of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Pantler of Scotland – (Vacant)
• Washer of the Sovereign's Hands in Scotland – Simon Houison Craufurd, 29th Laird of Craufurdland Castle
• Hereditary Royal Falconer of Scotland – John Hugh Borthwick, 24th Lord Borthwick
• Historiographer Royal – Christopher Smout CBE FBA FRSE FRSGS
• His Majesty's Botanist – Professor Stephen Blackmore CBE FRSE FRSB FLS
• Master of Work to the Crown of Scotland – (Vacant)
• The Painter and Limner – (Vacant since 2021)
• Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland – Alexander Stoddart FRSE
• Surveyor of the King's Pictures – (Vacant – in abeyance since 2020)
• Astronomer Royal for Scotland – Catherine Heymans FRSE
• Geographer Royal for Scotland – Professor Charles Withers FBA FRSE FAcSS FRSGS
• Various other Royal physicians, surgeons, apothecaries, chemists, etc.
• The Crown Jeweller
• Her Majesty's Clockmaker and Keeper and Dresser of His Majesty's Clocks in Scotland – Hamilton & Inches
• Court Postmaster

Household of the Prince and Princess of Wales

A part-time Private Secretary to Prince William and Prince Harry (James Lowther-Pinkerton MVO MBE Irish Guards (Rtd.)) was appointed in the Household of the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales in May 2005. In January 2009, a separate Household of Prince William and Prince Harry was established (formally "The Household of His Royal Highness Prince William of Wales and His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales"), headed by Lowther-Pinkerton. Following their marriages, the Household also additionally served their wives. The Household's offices are currently based in Kensington Palace, having formerly been based in St James's Palace. The Household, as of 2011, had the equivalent of 7.8 full-time staff.

It was announced in June 2011 that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would temporarily move their official London residence to an apartment in Kensington Palace, a move that was completed in August of that year. The Duke and Duchess' primary residence continued to be the island of Anglesey in Wales, where the Duke served as an RAF search and rescue pilot. The couple previously shared an apartment at Clarence House with Prince Harry, which he retained. On 6 November 2011, it was announced that the Duke, Duchess and Prince Harry, along with Elizabeth II and the Prince of Wales (later King Charles) had approved a plan that would have the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge permanently move to a larger apartment in Kensington Palace in 2013, after it is renovated. This apartment was previously occupied by the Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon and her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones, Earl of Snowdon after their marriage in 1960. The apartment was retained by Princess Margaret after her divorce in 1978 and was her London residence until her death in 2002. Prince Harry then moved his official residence from Clarence House to the apartment vacated by the Cambridges. In addition, once the move was complete, their official household was also moved to Kensington Palace from St James's Palace, although the household remained shared. Until the moves were complete, their Household remained based at St James's Palace and continued to be shared.

It was later announced in early May 2013 that the royal couple's private secretary, James Lowther-Pinkerton, intended to leave his post as private secretary for the private sector, and his position was split with each member of the household receiving a private secretary. In September 2013, Miguel Head became Private Secretary to the Duke of Cambridge and Rebecca Deacon assumed the role of Private Secretary to the Duchess of Cambridge. Ed Perkins left his post as communication secretary at the household in 2014. On 21 November 2014, the palace announced his replacement as Jason Knauf.

List of Household staff

Private Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

• 2005–2013: Major James Lowther-Pinkerton LVO MBE Irish Guards (Retd.) Lowther-Pinkerton left his post in September 2013, but intended to spend one day a week at St James's Palace to act as a sounding board for the much younger members of staff who would take his place.

Private Secretary to the Duke of Cambridge

• 2013–2018: Miguel Head
• 2018–2020: Simon Case
• 2020–2021: Christian Jones

Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales

• 2021–2024: Jean-Christophe Gray
• 2024–present: Ian Patrick

Private Secretary to the Duchess of Cambridge

• 2013–2017: Rebecca Deacon
• 2017–2019: Catherine Quinn
• 2020–2022: Hannah Cockburn-Logie

Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales

• 2024–present: Tom White

Assistant Private Secretary to the Duke of Cambridge

• 2018–2022: Zoë Ware

Assistant Private Secretary to the Princess of Wales

• 2017–: Natalie Barrows

Advisor to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

• 2009–2019: Sir David Manning GCMG KCVO

Advisor to the Prince and Princess of Wales

• 2019–present: Jason Knauf

Communication Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

• 2014–2019: Jason Knauf
• 2019–2020: Christian Jones

Communication Secretary to the Prince and Princess of Wales

• 2022–present: Lee Thompson

Deputy Communication Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

• –2016: Nick Loughran

Digital and Social Lead to the Prince and Princess of Wales

• 2020–present: David Watkins

Senior Private Executive Assistant to the Prince and Princess of Wales

• 2024–present: Natasha Archer

Official Spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry

• –2013: Paddy Harverson, also Communications Secretary at Clarence House

Household of the Princess Royal

The Household of the Princess Royal provides the administrative support to Anne, Princess Royal, the only sister of the King. While the Princess Royal's private residence is Gatcombe Park; her office, headed by the Private Secretary, is based at Buckingham Palace while her official London residence is located at St James's Palace.

Private Secretaries to the Princess Royal

• 1974–1976: Major Benjamin Herman MVO RM
• 1976–1982: Major Nicholas Lawson LVO
• 1982–1997: Lieutenant Colonel Sir Peter Gibbs KCVO
• 1997–1999: Rupert McGuigan
• 1999–2002: Colonel Timothy Earl OBE
• 2002–2019: Captain Sir Nick Wright KCVO, RN
• 2019–2024: Charles Davies
• 2024–present: Colonel John Boyd

Assistant Private Secretary

• 2010–present: Commander Anne Sullivan LVO RN

Office Secretary

• ?–: Mrs Isabella Ward
• ?–: Mrs Anne King

Extra Equerry to the Princess Royal

• 2019–: Captain Sir Nicholas Wright, KCVO

Ladies in Waiting to the Princess Royal

• 2005–2024: Mrs. Brian Hammond
• ?–2024: Lady Carew Pole, DCVO
• ?–2024: Honourable Dame Shan Legge-Bourke, DCVO
• ?–2024: Dame Rowena Jane Feilden, DCVO

Extra Ladies-in-Waiting to the Princess Royal

• 2023–present: Mrs. Susanna Cross
• 2024–present: Lady McFarlane
• 2024–present: Lady Elizabeth Leeming, LVO
• 2024–present: Mrs. John Armstrong
• 2024–present: Mrs. Dolly Maude
• 2024–present: Mrs. Simon (Susan) Rhodes, LVO

Household of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh

The Household of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh provides administrative support to the Duke of Edinburgh, youngest brother of the King, and to his wife, the Duchess of Edinburgh. While their private residence is Bagshot Park, their office, headed by the private secretary, is based at Buckingham Palace.

In 1980 of Sqn Ldr Adam Wise was appointed to assist the Prince with his work – although he still shared staff with the Queen and Prince Andrew. In 1983, Wise was promoted to wing commander and appointed Private Secretary to Princes Edward and Andrew, severing his link with The Royal Household. He left in 1987, when Lt Col. Sean O'Dwyer was appointed – also jointly with Prince Andrew.

Private Secretaries to the Earl and Countess of Wessex

• 1983–1987: Wg Cdr Adam Wise LVO MBE
• 1987–2001: Lt Col. Sean O'Dwyer LVO DL Irish Guards (Retd.)
• 2002–2014: Brig. John Smedley CVO
• 2014–2018: Mr. Tim Roberts

Private Secretary to the Duke of Edinburgh

• 2019–2023: Captain Andrew Aspden
• 2023–present: Brigadier Alexander Potts

Private Secretary to the Duchess of Edinburgh

• 2019–present: Captain Alexander Stonor

Lesser households

Household of the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

• Lady-in-waiting to the Duchess of Gloucester: Mrs Susan Wigley, CVO

Household of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent

• Private Secretary to Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO at Kensington Palace: Mr Nicholas Chance, CVO (1997–2016)

Former households

Household of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra

Main article: Household of Edward VII and Alexandra

Household of King George V and Queen Mary

Main article: Household of George V and Mary

Household of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother

This is an incomplete list of those who served Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

Comptroller

• 1952–1953: Peter Townsend
• 1953–1974: Lord Adam Gordon
• 1974–2002: Sir Alastair Aird

Equerries

• 1950–1956: Capt. Oliver Dawnay
• 1955–1956: Sir Martin Gilliat
• 1956–1984: Sir Francis Legh
• 1959–2002: Sir Ralph Anstruther Bt
• 1968–1970: Richard Jenkins
• 1984–2002: Maj. George Seymour
• 1992–1994: Edward Dawson-Damer
• 1993–2002: Sir Alastair Aird

Extra Equerries

• 1953–2002: The Rt Hon. The Lord Sinclair
• 1955–?: Sir Harvey Kearsley
• 1956: Maj Raymond Seymour
• 1956–1962: Capt. Oliver Dawnay
• 1958–?: Maj. Sir John Griffin
• 1964–1973: Alastair Aird
• 1995–2002: Capt. Ashe Windham
• 1998–2002: Nicholas Assheton

Temporary Equerries

• 1955: Maj. Raymond Seymour
• 1956–1958: Maj. John Griffin
• 1958–1960: Capt. William Richardson
• 1960–1964: Capt. Alastair Aird
• 1980–1982: Capt. Ashe Windham
• 1982–1984: Capt. the Hon. Jeremy Stopford
• 1984–1986: Capt. Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
• 1986–1988 Capt. Niall Hall
• 1988–1990 Capt. Giles Bassett
• ?–1994: Capt. Edward Dawson-Damer
• 1994–?: Maj. Colin Burgess
• 2000–2002: Capt. Mark Grayson

Ladies-in-Waiting

• 1923–1926: Lady Katharine Meade
• 1926–1932: Lady Helen Graham
• 1932–1936: Lettice Bowlby
• 1985–2002: Jane Walker-Okeover
• 1990–2002: Lady Margaret Colville
• 1991–2002: Margaret Rhodes
• 1993–2002: Jennifer Gordon-Lennox

Extra Ladies-in-Waiting

• 1929–?: Lady Annaly

Ladies of the Bedchamber

• 1937–1941: Viscountess Halifax (extra 1946–?)
• 1937–1947: Lady Nunburnholme
• 1937–1972: Countess Spencer DCVO OBE
• 1937–1994: Viscountess Hambleden GCVO (as Dowager Viscountess from 1948)
• 1945–1967: Lady Harlech (extra 1941–1945; as Dowager Lady from 1964)
• 1947–1979: The Countess of Scarbrough as Dowager Countess from 1969
• 1973–2002: Lady Grimthorpe (daughter of the above Countess of Scarbrough)
• 1994–2002: The Countess of Scarbrough (daughter-in-law of the above Countess of Scarbrough)

Lord Chamberlain

• 1937–1965: Col The Earl of Airlie KT GCVO MC
• 1965–1992: The Earl of Dalhousie KT GCVO GBE MC DL
• 1992–2002: The Earl of Crawford KT GCVO PC

Mistress of the Robes

• 1937–1964: Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of Northumberland GCVO
• 1964–1990: Her Grace The Duchess of Abercorn DCVO
• 1990–2002: Vacant

Pages of Honour

• 1962–1964: James Charteris, Lord Neidpath
• 1964–1966: John Dalrymple-Hamilton
• 1966–1967: Valentine Cecil
• 1967–1969: Richard Scott, Lord Eskdaill (later Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry)
• 1969–1971: Simon Mulholland Esq.
• 1971–1973: Michael Bowes-Lyon, Lord Glamis (later Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne)
• 1973–1974: Gilbert Clayton Esq.
• 1974–1975: Colin Campbell-Preston
• 1975–1977: Charles Bruce, Lord Bruce
• 1977–1979: Gavin Rankin Esq.
• 1979–1982: Henry Beaumont
• 1982–1984: The Hon. Maurice Roche (later Baron Fermoy)
• 1984–1986: Andrew Hope, Viscount Aithrie (later Earl of Hopetoun)
• 1987–1989: Andrew Lillingston
• 1989–1991: Richard Lumley, Viscount Lumley (later Earl of Scarbrough)
• 1991–1993: John Carew-Pole
• 1993–1995: Arthur Wellesley, Earl of Mornington
• 1995–1998: The Hon. Thomas Lumley
• 1998–1999: Harry Bengough
• 1999–2002: Andrew Matheson

Press secretary

• 1956–2001: Sir John Griffin

Private secretaries

• 1937–1946: Lt Col. Richard Streatfield
• 1946–1951: Maj. Thomas Harvey
• 1951–1956: Capt. Oliver Dawnay
• 1956–1993: Sir Martin Gilliat
• 1993–2002: Sir Alastair Aird

Assistant private secretaries

• 1953–1974: Lord Adam Gordon
• 1955–1956: Martin Gilliat
• 1956–1959: Francis Legh
• 1959–1964: Sir Ralph Anstruther Bt
• 1964–1973: Alastair Aird
• 1993–2002: Maj. George Seymour

Treasurers

• 1937–1946: Sir Basil Brooke
• 1946–1960: Sir Arthur Penn
• 1961–1998: Sir Ralph Anstruther Bt
• 1998–2002: Nicholas Assheton

Women of the Bedchamber

• 1937–1939: Lady Helen Graham
• 1937–1960: Lady Katharine Seymour
• 1937–1961: Marion Hyde, Lady Hyde
• 1937–1944: Lettice Bowlby
• 1939–?: Lady Adelaide Peel
• 1944–1947: Lady Mary Herbert
• 1947–2001: Lady Jean Rankin
• 1951–1961: The Hon Olivia Mulholland
• 1960–1993: Lady Ruth Burke Roche, Baroness Fermoy
• 1961–1963: Lady Mary Harvey
• 1965–2002: Dame Frances Campbell-Preston DCVO
• 1981–2002: Lady Angela Oswald CVO

Extra Women of the Bedchamber

• 1937–1994: Lady Victoria Wemyss (née Cavendish-Bentinck)
• 1939–?: Lady Helen Graham
• 1944–1988: Hon. Lettice Bowlby (née Annesley)
• 1947–?: Lady Mary Herbert
• 1947: Lady Jean Rankin
• 1947–?: Alexandra Pelham, Lady Worsley CBE
• 1948–1951: Pamela Hore-Ruthven (later Cooper), Viscountess Ruthven of Canberra
• 1956–1960: The Dowager Lady Fermoy
• 1959–1981: Lady Elizabeth Basset
• 1960–?: Lady Katherine Seymour

Temporary Women of the Bedchamber

• 1963–1965: Lady Caroline Douglas-Home

Apothecaries

• 1954–?: Dr John Nigel Loring

Physicians

• 1936–?: George Frederick Still
• 1936–?: Sir John Weir
• 1936–?: Henry Letheby Tidy
• 1936–?: Daniel Thomas Davies

Surgeons

• 1936–?: Sir Lancelot Barrington-Ward
• 1936–1946: Arthur Porritt

Surgeon-Apothecary

• 1956–?: Richard May Esq.

Honorific positions

• Piper to the Queen Mother (1953–2002)

Household of Queen Elizabeth II

Main article: Household of Elizabeth II

Household of the Duke of Edinburgh

The Household of the Duke of Edinburgh provided administrative support to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It was based at Buckingham Palace, and was headed by his Private Secretary—the Treasurer (part-time 1970–1976) was formerly the senior officer. An equerry (a major or equivalent from any of the three armed services), and three temporary equerries (usually a captain from the Royal Marines, a captain from the Grenadier Guards, and a captain from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) were part of the household.

Treasurers

• 1952–1959: Lt Gen. Sir Frederick Browning GCVO KBE CB DSO
• Acting, 1957–1960: Capt. David Alexander RM
• 1959–1970: RAdm Sir Christopher Bonham-Carter CB GCVO
• 1970–1982: Lord Rupert Nevill CVO JP DL KStJ
• Acting, 1982–1984: Sir Richard Davies KCVO CBE
• 1984–1995: Sir Brian McGrath GCVO

Private Secretaries

• 1947–1957: Lt Cdr Michael Parker CVO AM RAN
• 1957–1970: James Orr CVO
• May–November 1970: RAdm Sir Christopher Bonham-Carter GCVO CB
• 1970–1976: Cdr William Willett OBE MVO DSC RN
• 1976–1982: Lord Rupert Nevill CVO DL
• Acting 1982–1984: Sir Richard Davies KCVO CBE
• 1984–1992: Sir Brian McGrath GCVO
• 1993–2010: Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis GCVO CBE
• 2010–2021: Brigadier Archie Miller-Bakewell

Household of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall

The Household of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall was the organised office and support system for Charles, Prince of Wales, and his consort Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. At the time of their 2009 annual review the Office of the Prince of Wales had the full-time equivalent of 121 staff. The head of the Household was the Principal Private Secretary, Clive Alderton. Senior officials included the Deputy Private Secretary, a senior diplomat seconded from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to advise The Prince on Foreign and Commonwealth affairs, Scott Furssedonn-Wood; Master of the Household, Earl of Rosslyn; the Treasurer, Andrew Wright; Communications Secretary, Julian Payne; and the Equerry, Commander Iain Kearsley RN.

In 2000, the Prince revived a tradition of having an official harpist, a role last seen under Queen Victoria. The first holder of the office was Catrin Finch, followed in 2004 by Jemima Phillips, and in 2007 by Claire Jones.

The Prince of Wales' Office was principally based at Clarence House, London, but also occupied rooms in the rest of St James's Palace. There were also offices for official staff at Highgrove House and Birkhall House, the Prince's private residences.

Most of the expenses incurred in operating the office came from the Prince's private appanage, the Duchy of Cornwall. The only significant costs met by grant-in-aid provided by the Government was for the upkeep of Clarence House, and for official travel by air and rail, and for communications support.

Details of the Prince's Senior Staff were available in his office's annual reports. The following titles all have "to/of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall" suffixed when written in full. Prior to the Prince's 2005 marriage, they were instead suffixed "to/of The Prince of Wales".

Principal Private Secretaries

• 2005–12 September 2011: Sir Michael Peat KCVO
• 12 September 2011 – 2015: William Nye LVO
• 2015–2022 Sir Clive Alderton KCVO

Private Secretaries

• 1970–1978: Sqn Ldr Sir David Checketts KCVO
• 1979–1985: Edward Adeane CVO
• Acting 1 April–September 1985 David Roycroft
• September 1985–1990: Sir John Riddell Bt CVO FRSA
• 1990–1991: Maj. Gen. Sir Christopher Airy KCVO CBE
• 1991–1996: Cdr Richard Aylard CVO RN
• 1996–2002: Sir Stephen Lamport KCVO
• 2002–2005: Sir Michael Peat KCVO
• 2001–2008: Elizabeth Buchanan CVO
• 2005–2011: Manon Williams MVO, Private Secretary for Wales (part-time)
• 2009–: Mark Leishman, LVO (as "Senior Deputy Private Secretary" January – July 2009)
• 2009–2012: Clive Alderton, Private Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

Masters of the Household

• 2005–2006: Kevin Knott
• 2006–2008: Lt Col. Sir Malcolm Ross
• 2008–2014: Wing Cdr Richard Pattle
• 2014–: Cdr The Earl of Rosslyn, CVO, QPM

Deputy Masters of the Household

• 2006–2009: Andrew Farquharson

Treasurers

• –2005: Kevin Knott
• 2005–2012: Leslie Ferrar
• 2012–: Andrew Wright

Deputy Private Secretaries

• 1986–1988: Col. Humphrey Mews
• 1988–1990: David Wright LVO
• 1990–1993: Sir Peter Westmacott KCMG LVO
• 1993–1996: Stephen Lamport
• 1998–2002: Mark Bolland
• 2002–2005: Elizabeth Buchanan LVO
• 2005: James Kidner MVO
• 2005–?: Mrs Manon Williams
• 2005–2008: Mark Leishman
• 2006–2008: Clive Alderton
• 2008–2013: Benet Northcote
• 2012–2014: Simon Martin
• 2014–2017: Jamie Bowden CMG OBE MVO
• 2017–: Scott Furssedonn-Wood

Assistant Private Secretaries

• 1994–1998: Mrs Manon Williams
• 2000–2003: Nigel Baker
• 2002–2005: Paul Kefford
• 2003–2005: James Kidner
• 2003–2005: Mark Leishman
• 2004–2005: Mrs Manon Williams
• 2005–: Joy Camm & Amanda MacManus (each part-time)
• 2005–2007: Katy Golding
• 2006–: Jonathan Hellewell
• 2006–2008: Anita Kumar
• 2008–: Sophie Densham LVO
• 2008: Shilpa Sinha
• ?–2011: Sarah Kennedy-Good
• 2011–2013: Joshua Puls MVO
• 2013–2015: Craig Kowalik MVO
• ?–*: Emily Cherrington
• 2015–2017: Melissa Hayden-Clarke
• 2017–2019: Bernadette Smith
• 2019–2022: Jennifer Jordan-Saifi
• 2020–2022: Claire Saunders

Equerries

• 1970–1972: Lt the Hon. Nicholas Soames, 11th Hussars
• c.1971: Lt David Wilson
• 1972–: Lt Gilbert Kerruish, RRW
• 1976–1978 Capt. T P G N Ward Welsh Guards
• c.1976–1977: Capt. Alun James Davies, RRW
• 1977–: Capt. Christopher Haslett Elliott, RRW
• c.1979: Capt. Anthony Asquith, RRW
• –1982: Maj. Quentin Winter, PARA
• 1982–1984: Maj. David Bromhead
• 1984–1986: Maj. Jack Stenhouse
• 1986–1987: Lt Col. Brian Anderson
• 1987–1989: Maj. Christopher Lavender
• 1989–1991: Cdr Alastair Watson
• 1991–1994: Lt Cdr Robert Fraser
• 1994–1996: Maj. Patrick Tabor
• 1996–1999: Lt Cdr John Lavery
• 1999–2002: Lt Cdr William Entwisle
• 2002–2004: Lt Cdr Alastair Graham
• 2003–2004: Maj. Rupert Lendrum (Senior Equerry)
• 2004–2006: Wing Cdr Richard Pattle, RAF
• 2006–2008: Sqn Ldr Jayne Casebury, RAF
• 2008–2011: Maj. Will Mackinlay The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards
• 2011–2013: Maj. Peter Flynn, Parachute Regiment
• 2013–2015: Maj. David Bevan, Welsh Guards
• 2015–2018: Maj. Harry Pilcher, Queen's Dragoon Guards
• 2018–2020: Cdr. Iain Kearsley, Royal Navy
• 2020–2022: Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Thompson, Royal Regiment of Scotland

Assistant Masters of the Household

• 2007–: The Honourable Virginia Carington, LVO
  • as "Special Assistant" until 2007
  • as "Assistant Master of the Household" since 2007

Communications Secretary

• 2016–2021: Julian Payne
• 2021–2022: Simon Enright
• 2022: Tobyn Andreae

Household of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

In 2013, it was announced that Prince Harry had appointed former Household Cavalry captain, Edward Lane Fox, as his private secretary effective July 2013.

In March 2019, it was announced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would establish a new household for themselves, following the birth of their child in spring as well as the move of their official residence to Frogmore Cottage, with their office set to be located at Buckingham Palace. Following the decision to step back from royal duties, it was announced in February 2020 that they would close their office at Buckingham Palace.

List of Household staff

Private Secretary to the Duke of Sussex

• 2013–2018: Edward Lane Fox

Private Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2018–2019: Samantha Cohen
• 2019–2020: Fiona Mcilwham

Deputy Private Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2019–2020: Heather Wong

Assistant Private Secretary to the Duchess of Sussex

• 2018–2019: Amy Pickerill

Personal Assistant to the Duchess of Sussex

• 2018: Melissa Touabti

Communication Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2019–2020: Sara Latham

Assistant Communication Secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2018: Katrina McKeever
• Marnie Gaffney

Projects Manager to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2018–2020: Clara Madden

Digital Communications Lead to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

• 2019–2020: David Watkins

Household of the Duke of York

The Household of the Duke of York provided administrative support for the royal duties of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, along with his immediate family. From 1971, Prince Andrew (then aged 11 years), had the assistance of one of the Queen's equerries when required. The first was Sqn Ldr Peter Beer, who served until he was replaced by Maj. George Broke Royal Artillery in 1974, and Lt Cdr Robert Guy RN in 1977.

It was only with the appointment in 1980 of Sqn Ldr Adam Wise, that the Prince could be said to have acquired the assistance of his own staff – although he was still shared with the Queen and Prince Edward. In 1983, Wise was promoted to wing commander and appointed Private Secretary to Princes Andrew and Edward, severing his link with The Royal Household. He left the Duke of York's service in 1987, when Lt Col. Sean O'Dwyer was appointed – also jointly with Prince Edward.

The Duke of York was assisted by a private secretary, deputy private secretary, assistant private secretary and equerry. There were an office assistant, and a handful of personal staff including cook and butler. The Duke of York's office was based at Buckingham Palace, and the Duke has a residence at the Royal Lodge, Windsor, into which he moved during 2004, from Sunninghill Park, Ascot.

In December 2022, it was reported that as a non-working member of the royal family he would no longer have an office at Buckingham Palace.

Private Secretaries to the Duke of York

• 1983–1987: Wg Cdr Adam Wise LVO MBE
• 1987–1990: Lt Col. Sean O'Dwyer MVO DL Irish Guards (Retd.)
• 1990–2001: Capt. Neil Blair CVO RN
• 2001–2003: Cdr Charlotte Manley LVO OBE RN
• 2003–2012: Maj. Alastair Watson LVO
• 2012–2020: Mrs Amanda Thirsk

Assistant Private Secretaries to the Duke of York

• ?–present: James Upsher

Equerry to the Duke of York

• 2014-2017: Lieutenant Jack Cooper, RN
• 2017–2019: Captain Edward Monckton
• 2019–: Lieutenant Commander Alex Davies, RN

See also

• Finances of the British royal family
• Funeral directors to the Royal Household
• Monarchy of Canada § Federal residences and royal household
• Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal

References

• Barlow, Frank (1997). Edward the Confessor (New ed.). Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-07156-6.
• Green, Judith A. (1986). The Government of England under Henry I. Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought: Fourth Series. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511560248. ISBN 9780511560248.
• Hollister, C. Warren (2001). Henry I. Yale University Press.
• Huscroft, Richard (2016). Ruling England, 1042–1217 (2nd ed.). Routledge. ISBN 978-1138786554. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
• Jolliffe, J. E. A. (1961). The Constitutional History of Medieval England from the English Settlement to 1485 (4th ed.). Adams and Charles Black.
• Loyn, H. R. (1984). "The Household". The Governance of Anglo-Saxon England, 500–1087. Governance of England. Vol. 1. Stanford University Press. pp. 95–100. ISBN 9780804712170.
• Lyon, Bryce (1980). A Constitutional and Legal History of Medieval England (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-95132-4. 1st edition available to read online here.
• Prestwich, Michael (2005). Plantagenet England, 1225–1360. New Oxford History of England. Clarendon Press. ISBN 0198228449.
• Tinniswood, Adrian (2018). Behind the Throne: A Domestic History of the British Royal Household. Basic Books. ISBN 978-0-465-09403-5. Archived from the original on 10 May 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
• Williams, Ann (2008). The World Before Domesday: The English Aristocracy, 900–1066. London: Continuum. ISBN 9781847252395.

Further reading

• Larson, Laurence Marcellus (1904). The King's Household in England Before the Norman Conquest. Madison, Wisconsin, US: University of Wisconsin. ISBN 978-0-7222-2854-8.

External links

• The Royal Household of HM The King, Official website of the British monarchy
• Prince of Wales Official Website