The Duke of Edinburgh’s former Private Secretary, Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis, has died at the age of 79.
Sir Miles was Prince Philip’s right-hand man for 19 years, having taken his position at Buckingham Palace in 1991 as an Assistant Private Secretary, before being promoted in 1993 and retiring in 2010.
During his time with the Prince, the retired army officer took his role extremely seriously and was the Duke’s most trusted aide.
He was such a close confidant to the Duke that he and his wife were given permission to live in Nottingham Cottage – the current home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Sir Miles was an instrumental figure during the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales where he spoke of Prince Philip’s relationship with the late Princess.
At the inquest, the Private Secretary received a “grilling” from Michael Mansfield QC who represented the Fayad family.
During the inquest, Mr Mansfield accused Sir Miles of living in a “hermetically sealed” office when he claimed not to have discussed any personal issues with Prince Philip.
Sir Miles was such an important figure in the Royal Household that he was only one of three civilians to join members of The Royal Family on the Way Ahead Group – a committee which plans the activities of the royals and discusses ways to improve their image.
But the late Brigadier’s time at Buckingham Palace only accounted for a short period in his life.
In the 1960s, he joined the 6th Queen Elizabeth’s Own Gurkha Rifles which saw him in Borneo and Malaysia.
He was promoted to Major in 1971, and then Brigade Major of the 48th Gurkha Infantry Brigade from 1974-1976.
He was then again promoted to Commandant of the 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Gurkha Rifles before becoming In commander of the British Gurkhas in Nepal in 1985.
His final military position was in Hong Kong where he commanded the Brigade of Gurkhas before retiring in 1991 and joining the Royal Household.
Brigadier Sir Miles Hunt-Davis GCVO CBE died peacefully at home on the 23rd May 2018. He leaves behind his wife, Gay, and three children.
