UK

Former MI5 spy chief steps down from role as King’s Lord Chamberlain

Baron Parker of Minsmere served as the late Queen’s most senior official for just over two years prior to her death.

The King watches as the Lord Chamberlain breaks his Wand of Office at the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II
The King watches as the Lord Chamberlain breaks his Wand of Office at the committal service for Queen Elizabeth II (Ben Birchall/PA)
By Laura Elston, PA Court Reporter

Former MI5 spy chief Baron Parker – the most senior official in the royal household – is to step down from his role as Lord Chamberlain.

Buckingham Palace said the move follows precedent and would complete the “transition to a new household for the new reign”.

At Elizabeth II’s committal service in St George’s Chapel, Lord Parker “broke” his Wand of Office – dismantling it into two halves – and placed it on the late Queen’s coffin.

The Lord Chamberlain Baron Parker ceremonially breaks his Wand of Office as he stands in front of the late Queen’s coffin in St George’s Chapel
The Lord Chamberlain Baron Parker ceremonially breaks his Wand of Office as he stands in front of the late Queen’s coffin in St George’s Chapel (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The symbolic breaking of the staff signified the end of his service to the Queen as sovereign.

The Palace said it has been consistent practice for generations for there to be a new Lord Chamberlain following the initial transition period after the death of a sovereign.

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“In the meantime, Lord Parker will continue to support their majesties in their service to the nation and beyond,” a Palace spokesperson said.

Lord Parker, who will step down later this year, heads the King’s working household and it is his job to ensure the smooth running of all the different departments.

He oversaw the funeral of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, in 2021.

The Queen with then MI5 director general Andrew Parker during a visit to the security services HQ at Thames House in 2020
The Queen with then MI5 director general Andrew Parker during a visit to the security services HQ at Thames House in 2020 (Victoria Jones/PA)

Andrew Parker, whose full title is Baron Parker of Minsmere, took up the role of Lord Chamberlain on April 1 2021, just over a week before Philip died at the aged of 99.

He served as director general of MI5 from April 2013 for seven years and hosted a visit by the Queen to the intelligence agency in 2020.

His predecessor as Lord Chamberlain was the Earl Peel, who was in the job for nearly 15 years.

Lord Parker’s successor has yet to be announced.

The post, which pays up to £140,000 a year – or as much as £165,000 including pension payments – is a part-time one and includes chairing a monthly meeting of all heads of department and a weekly update.

The late Queen looks at artefacts relating to MI5 D-Day operations with then-director general Andrew Parker
The late Queen looks at artefacts relating to MI5 D-Day operations with then-director general Andrew Parker (Victoria Jones/PA)

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 other households.

The position dates from the Middle Ages, when the King’s Chamberlain often acted as the King’s spokesman in Council and Parliament.

Until 1924, the appointment was a political one but now the Lord Chamberlain does not participate in political activities.