Queen names ex-head of MI5 Andrew Parker as most senior member of her Royal household
- Baron Parker of Minsmere will take up new role as Lord Chamberlain on April 1
- He will succeed Earl Peel, 73, who is retiring after more than 14 years in the post
- Baron Parker served as director general of the MI5 from April 2013 until last year
- Earl Peel was due to step down at end of 2020 but delayed amid Covid-19 crisis
The Queen has named the former head of MI5 as the most senior member of her Royal household, Buckingham Palace has announced.
Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, will take up his new role as Lord Chamberlain on April 1, succeeding Earl Peel who is retiring after more than 14 years in the post.
Baron Parker served as director general of the MI5 from April 2013 until last year and was a career intelligence officer having joined the MI5 in 1983.
He hosted the Queen’s first visit to MI5’s headquarters in central London in February last year, when she praised the intelligence agency’s officers for the ‘tireless work you do to keep our country safe’.
The Queen (pictured right, in 2018) has named the former head of MI5 Andrew Parker (left, in 2017) as the most senior member of her Royal household, Buckingham Palace has announced
Earl Peel, 73, delayed his retirement amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis while the search for his successor took place.
He was due to step down at the end of 2020 but extended his notice period by around three months.
During his MI5 career Baron Parker led the intelligence agency’s response to the July 7 London terrorist attacks in 2005, and the following year his teams played the lead role in the disruption of al Qaeda’s attempt to attack multiple airliners with bombs hidden in drinks bottles.
He was later promoted to deputy director general of MI5 in 2007 before becoming head of the security service in 2013.
He retired from the post in April last year and in an interview that month said the pandemic could force ministers to ‘adjust the dials’ on public spending, potentially taking cash away from areas such as the intelligence agencies in the future.
But he insisted that MI5 was able to continue its work during the lockdown, adding that potential threats to the country were also subject to the restrictions.
Baron Parker hosted the Queen’s first visit to MI5’s headquarters (pictured above) in central London in February last year, when she praised the intelligence agency’s officers for the ‘tireless work you do to keep our country safe’
Queen Elizabeth II pictured talking to Baron Parker as she leaves after a visit to the headquarters of the MI5 at Thames House in London in February last year
Baron Parker will head the Queen’s working household and it will be his job to ensure the smooth running of all the different departments.
The post of Lord Chamberlain, which pays around £90,000 a year, is a part-time one and includes chairing regular meetings of all heads of department.
The Lord Chamberlain oversees all senior appointments in the household, is the channel of communication between the sovereign and the House of Lords and ensures co-ordination between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
The position dates from the Middle Ages, when the King’s Chamberlain often acted as the king’s spokesman in council and parliament.
On ceremonial occasions, the Lord Chamberlain carries a white staff and a gold key, the symbols of his office.
The Queen pictured alongside Earl Peel, 73, who had delayed his retirement amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis while the search for his successor took place (file photo)
Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere
During his MI5 career Baron Parker, above, led the intelligence agency’s response to the July 7 London terrorist attacks in 2005
Baron Parker served as director general of the MI5 from April 2013 until last year and was a career intelligence officer having joined the MI5 in 1983.
He hosted the Queen’s first visit to MI5’s headquarters in central London in February last year, when she praised the intelligence agency’s officers for the ‘tireless work you do to keep our country safe’.
During his MI5 career Baron Parker, born in 1962, led the intelligence agency’s response to the July 7 London terrorist attacks in 2005.
The following year his teams played the lead role in the disruption of al Qaeda’s attempt to attack multiple airliners with bombs hidden in drinks bottles.
He was later promoted to deputy director general of MI5 in 2007 before becoming head of the security service in 2013.
He retired from the post in April last year and in an interview that month said the pandemic could force ministers to ‘adjust the dials’ on public spending, potentially taking cash away from areas such as the intelligence agencies in the future.
William Peel, 3rd Earl Peel
Earl Peel, pictured, succeeded Lord Luce as Lord Chamberlain in October 2006
Earl Peel, whose given name is William James Robert Peel, is the current Lord Chamberlain.
The 73-year-old, who is the great-great grandson of PM Sir Robert Peel, delayed his retirement amid the ongoing Covid-19 crisis while the search for his successor took place.
From 1993 to 2006, Earl Peel was a member of the Prince’s Council and was also Lord Warden of the Stannaries between 1994 and 2006.
He succeeded Lord Luce as Lord Chamberlain in October 2006.
On the UK Parliament website, his career description reads: ‘Earl Peel is a Crossbench Excepted Hereditary peer who has sat under this title in the Lords since 23 May 1973.
‘His full title is The Rt Hon. the Earl Peel DL, and his given name is William James Robert Peel.
‘He currently holds the Government post of Lord Chamberlain (HM Household).’