A senior royal aide who once served as the right-hand woman to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been appointed a Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in King Charles’s New Year Honours list, marking the culmination of decades of behind-the-scenes service to the Crown.
Charlotte Manley, a long-serving member of the Royal Household, has been recognised for her contribution to public and royal life, much of it carried out far from public view. The honour comes as the King’s 2026 New Year Honours acknowledge not only figures from the worlds of culture and public service, but also a number of trusted royal staff whose work has shaped the modern monarchy.
Ms Manley worked in a variety of senior roles for the Royal Family, most notably as private secretary and treasurer to the former Duke of York in the early 2000s. During her tenure, from 2001 to 2003, she was a central figure in managing the duke’s official programme at a time when he was serving as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment.
The role required frequent overseas travel, with Ms Manley accompanying Andrew on high-level visits and trade missions across the globe. Colleagues from the period have described her as meticulous, resilient and deeply committed, operating under intense pressure while navigating complex diplomatic and logistical demands.
Her career, however, extended well beyond her time in the former Duke of York’s household. After stepping down from the role in 2003, Ms Manley became Chapter Clerk of St George’s Chapel, Windsor – a highly regarded and historically significant position within the royal ecclesiastical establishment. She remained in the role for two decades, overseeing the administration of the chapel, which sits at the spiritual heart of Windsor Castle and hosts some of the monarchy’s most important ceremonies.
Her retirement from the post was announced in October earlier this year, with the damehood understood to recognise the achievements and continuity she brought to the role over many years.
Before joining Andrew’s household, Ms Manley had built an extensive career in defence and government service. After being promoted to Commander in 1993, she joined the staff of the Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command. Three years later, she moved on to a short-term contract in the Cabinet Office before taking up her royal appointments as assistant private secretary and comptroller.
This is not the first time her work has been recognised by the Royal Household. She was appointed an OBE in 1996, became a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) in 2003, and was promoted to Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 2018. Her elevation to Dame Commander represents the highest point in a steady progression of royal recognition over nearly three decades.
The Royal Victorian Order is unique within the honours system, as it is granted entirely at the discretion of the monarch rather than on ministerial advice, making it a direct expression of royal gratitude for personal service.
