It has been announced that The Queen’s ousted Private Secretary, Sir Christopher Geidt, is to become a Peer of the Realm in the House of Lords.
Sir Christopher, who will soon become Lord Geidt, will sit as a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords meaning he will not be aligned to any political party.
The appointment has been made by recommendation of the Prime Minister. Also joining the Lords alongside Her Majesty’s most trusted advisor is former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe.
The news of Sir Christopher’s appointment to the UK’s legislative body comes just days after he received his third knighthood from The Queen.
As well as being Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), and Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB), last week The Queen presented her trusted aide with the highest insignia in the Royal Victorian Order, the Knight Grand Cross (GCVO).
On Thursday, The Queen’s new Private Secretary and Sir Christopher’s replacement, Edward Young, was sworn in as a member of the Privy Council.
An investigation by The Times newspaper last month reported that Sir Christopher was forced out of the job by the Prince of Wales in what the paper describes as a ‘power struggle.’
Buckingham Palace and the Prince of Wales are said to be in the midst of a huge row over how best to manage the transition arrangements for when Prince Charles succeeds his mother as Monarch and becomes King.
Sir Christopher left his position in July after complaints by both the Prince of Wales and Duke of York. The Times report that this was the ultimate climax between Buckingham Palace and Clarence Hosue.
The power struggle is thought to revolve around plans to make Prince Charles King, and his staff are keen to increase his royal role significantly by the time he turns 70-years-old next year.
In a rare joint statement last month, the royal households said: “While we never comment on the confidential employment details of individuals, it was previously announced in July that Sir Christopher Geidt is stepping down after 10 years as private secretary.
“At the time of the announcement, the lord chamberlain paid tribute to the major contribution made by Sir Christopher who, in turn, commended the support offered to Her Majesty by other members of the royal family.
“Indeed, recent years have seen an ever-closer working relationship between all the different royal households and their respective teams.
“Beyond that, we are not going to engage with a story based on rumours from unnamed sources.”
Her Majesty has taken care of her former aide with an sinecure that’ll enhance his income comfortably in his retirement. Well played your Majesty!