Queen’s top aide ousted in power struggle
The Queen’s most senior courtier was forced out in a power struggle between Buckingham Palace and the Prince of Wales.
Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen’s private secretary, left his post in July after complaints by the prince and his brother, the Duke of York, sources said.
The unprecedented ousting – the first time the Queen has got rid of her private secretary – was the climax of increasing tensions between the two royal households.
It came amid differences over how to manage the transition of power between the Queen, who is 91, and her eldest son.
Royal sources said the prince’s staff were keen to ‘‘accelerate’’ plans to increase his involvement in key royal events by the time he turns 70 in November next year. The plans are referred to in some circles as ‘‘Project 70’’.
Charles’s team is thought to want him to be more involved in occasions such as the Royal Maundy service, when the monarch distributes alms to pensioners on the day before Good Friday, and in Commonwealth events. It would, one source said, be ‘‘to show that he is the king in waiting’’.
Charles, the Prince of Wales, is the longest-serving heir apparent in British history, having been next in line to the throne since his mother became queen in 1952. His age also means that should he become king, he will be the oldest person to be crowned in Britain.
Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles, has denied the existence of Project 70 and maintains that the prince has never demanded a more prominent role for himself.
However, tensions have been evident for many years between Buckingham Palace and Clarence House. These culminated in July with the ousting of Geidt, who had been the Queen’s private secretary for 10 years.
Geidt, 56, has denied that he was forced out but is said to be feeling bruised over his treatment and thinks that the Queen failed to support him.
A former army intelligence officer and diplomat, Geidt has played a key role in the transition to the next generation of the royal family. He was awarded a second knighthood in 2014 for his ‘‘new approach to constitutional matters . . . [and] the preparation for the transition to a change of reign’’.
A close colleague said: ‘‘He has been a great private secretary. He has really steered the Queen through a very successful 10 years.’’
However, he is said to have infuriated Charles after a speech he gave to 500 royal staff in May. Announcing the retirement of the Duke of Edinburgh from public life, Geidt called for the royal households to unite in support of the Queen. His manner was allegedly regarded as presumptuous by some within Clarence House.
Charles’s staff are said to have complained about his behaviour to their boss. Both allegations have been denied by Clarence House.
‘‘Charles was told about this, was furious, and went to see his mother,’’ one source claimed. The message was: ‘‘This is just not possible, and Geidt has got to go.’’
Geidt was allegedly told that his future was untenable by Earl Peel, the lord chamberlain.
Prince Andrew is understood to have thrown his support behind his brother, helping to seal the courtier’s fate. ‘‘Prince Andrew deeply dislikes him,’’ a source said. ‘‘The feeling is mutual.’’
It has been suggested that Andrew’s antipathy stems from the role played by Geidt in forcing him to step down as trade ambassador in 2011 over his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Another source suggested that Andrew disliked the fact that Geidt controlled his expenditure.
Samantha Cohen, who as the Queen’s assistant private secretary was Geidt’s No 3, is said to have resigned in solidarity. She is thought to have been persuaded by the Queen to stay on long enough to look after the Commonwealth summit next April.
Geidt’s removal makes it more likely that the transition will proceed at a pace that meets with Charles’s approval. The prince will take over the Queen’s estates, including Sandringham and Balmoral, which are run by the Duke of Edinburgh. Charles is thought to want Sandringham to go organic.
Geidt, who is understood to have been allowed to keep his home at Kensington Palace, is being replaced by his deputy, Edward Young, a former adviser to Lord Hague of Richmond.
A statement by Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Kensington Palace 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.
‘‘Recent years have seen an evercloser working relationship between all the different royal households and their respective teams. The Prince of Wales and the entire royal family are committed to supporting the Queen in whatever way they can at Her Majesty’s request.
‘‘Beyond that, we are not going to engage with a story based on rumours from unnamed sources.’’