HM's Personal Private Secretary, Christopher Geidt
Wonder why the Royal Family are suddenly getting everything right? Meet the VERY discreet new power behind the throne | Mail Online
For the past three years the Queen has been steered by a steady hand; someone who has done more than anyone to ensure the family firm finally understands the necessity of discreet but professional image-building. He is the Rt Hon
Christopher Geidt, her personal private secretary, arguably one of the most influential men in the land and certainly a key power behind the throne. With the exception of her husband, Geidt is the man whose advice and judgment the Queen trusts above all others.
The 50-year-old former Army sergeant (who underwent officer training at Sandhurst), diplomat and Foreign Office mandarin, has been a huge success since joining the Royal household as an assistant private secretary to the Queen in 2002. Geidt got the top job in 2007 after the retirement of Lord Janvrin.
Often described as the Queen’s ‘eyes and ears’, Geidt is the channel of communication between her and the Government, both here and in the 15 other nations of which she is sovereign. His official role is to inform and advise the Queen on constitutional, governmental and political matters. But unofficially, he has brought a modernity to the Monarchy and a greater air of professionalism to Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.
Royal commentator Brian Hoey says: ‘Her Majesty trusts his counsel completely and they have a remarkably good relationship. She likes that he’s not a yes man, not afraid to speak his mind. He has no problem telling the Queen if he believes she’s wrong or, indeed, anything that he thinks she should hear. He’s the first non-commissioned officer to hold this position and is a brilliant strategist. He sees a problem before it’s even happened and pays remarkable attention to detail. He plans ahead and sees potential pitfalls way before they happen. He was in Army intelligence and then the diplomatic corps so he knows how to win an argument. Aside from Royal favourite Angela Kelly, the Queen’s former dresser and now personal assistant, he is the only member of the household who has unfettered access to the Monarch. He is relatively new, but the Queen is very fond of him.’
Geidt always travels with the Queen overseas to ensure it all runs smoothly. But there was added pressure with Ireland because of the political and historic significance. A member of the Royal household said: ‘Christopher not only helped to write her speech [along with David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague], but apparently it was his idea for her to open in Gaelic, to the obvious delight and audible gasp of the VIP guests.’ He would also have known the impact of the Queen wearing green. But while some might have gone for emerald, Geidt is believed to have suggested the less obvious choice.
After last year's election Geidt was briefed to observe proceedings and keep the Queen informed. His role was to protect the Monarchy and advise the Queen to appoint a Prime Minister only when a decision was ‘clear and uncontroversial’.
Geidt’s job also includes liaising with the rest of the Royal Family, the Armed Forces, the Church and the bodies of which the Queen is patron. It’s a big job and is reflected in his £146,000 salary, a shade more than the Prime Minister’s £142,500. His wife Emma is the daughter of Baron Neill of Bladen, former chairman of both the Press Council and the Committee on Standards in Public Life.