Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: Andrew Rosindell details plans

Queen Elizabeth II, 94, has appointed a new Lord Chamberlain one week after it was revealed her current top aide Lord Peel had delayed his retirement from the role by several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. The most senior position in the royal household is due to be filled by former MI5 chief Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, 59, who will take over from Lord Peel on April 1.

Daily Express royal correspondent Richard Palmer tweeted on Friday: “The Queen has appointed the former director-general of MI5, Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, as Lord Chamberlain to succeed Lord Peel, who will retire on March 31.

“Lord Parker will take up his appointment on April 1, 2021.”

What is Lord Chamberlain?

The Lord Chamberlain or Lord Chamberlain of the Household is the most senior officer of Britain’s royal household.

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Their job is to supervise the departments which support and provide advice to the Queen while also acting as the main channel of communication between her and the House of Lords.

The office organises all ceremonial activity including garden parties, state visits, royal weddings, and the State Opening of Parliament.

Next year the Queen will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee as she marks an extraordinary 70 years on the throne.

The new Lord Chamberlain will be tasked with overseeing plans for the nationwide celebrations which will take place next spring.

Last year, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden confirmed Britons would receive an extra day off to celebrate the special milestone.

The traditional May bank holiday will be moved to June 2 and an extra bank holiday will be added on June 3 to make a new four-day bank holiday.

According to the culture secretary, the four-day celebrations will include a mix of events that mix the “best of British ceremonial splendour and pageantry with cutting edge artistic and technological displays.”

The Lord Chamberlain also handles the Royal Mews and Royal Travel, as well as ceremonies around the awarding of honours.

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Who is Lord Parker of Minsmere?

Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, also known as Lord Parker of Minsmere, will come to the Royal Household after more than three decades of working at MI5.

He spent 37 years at MI5, most recently serving as director-general from 2013 to 2020.

Lord Minsmere is also a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Crown.

Asked his views on Lord Parker of Minsmere’s appointment, one royal expert claimed he was an “excellent” choice for the job.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “The Queen’s choice of the former head of M15, Lord Parker of Minsmere, as Lord Chamberlain seems an excellent choice as the conduit between the Queen and the House of Lords and an organiser of ceremonial royal events.

“He is, after all the ultimate insider and will invaluable in this important non-executive but extremely important post.

“The current incumbent Lord Peel oversaw the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, the introduction of the Sovereign Grant and the arrangements for the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.

“He delayed his retirement which was originally planned for last year.”

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