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Alastair Bruce of Crionaich

CB OBE VR DL
Alastair Bruce (Edinburgh Castle) 2019.jpg
Major General Bruce in 2019
Birth name Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce
Born (1960-06-25) 25 June 1960 (age 65)
Winchester, Hampshire, England
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service 1979–2024
Rank Major General
Unit Scots Guards
Security Assistance Group
Commands held Governor of Edinburgh Castle
Battles/wars Falklands War
Iraq War
The Troubles
Awards Companion of the Order of the Bath
Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
Relations Earls of Elgin and Kincardine;
Earls of Portsmouth
Other work Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary
Dir. Ceremonies, Order of St John

Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich (born 25 June 1960) is a Scottish television journalist and a former senior officer in the British Army Reserves. He was the Governor of Edinburgh Castle from 2019 to 2024.

He is well-known as a commentator for Sky News, especially for important royal and national events. He has also worked for the BBC and was a historical adviser for films and TV shows like Downton Abbey. Major General Bruce has commented on many big events in the United Kingdom. These include the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Royal Wedding in 2011, and the Coronation in 2023. He also covered the funerals of important royal family members.

Before becoming Governor of Edinburgh Castle, Bruce led the TA Media Operations Group. He also continues to serve as an officer of arms in the Royal Household.

Early Life and Education

Alastair Bruce was born in Winchester, England, in 1960. He is the younger son of Lieutenant Commander Henry Victor Bruce of Salloch and Helen Vernon Wallop William-Powlett. His great-grandfather was the 8th Earl of Elgin. He grew up in Hampshire, England, but spent a lot of time in Sutherland, Scotland. His parents owned an estate there.

He went to Milton Abbey School, which was a boarding school for boys at the time. After that, he attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Berkshire. This is where many British Army officers are trained.

Life and Career

Serving in the Armed Forces

Alastair Bruce joined the British Army in 1979. The next year, he became a lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards. He served as a regular officer for four years. During this time, he saw active service in the Falklands War in 1982.

After the Falklands War, he built a cairn (a pile of stones) in Scotland. This was to remember his orderly, Guardsman James Reynolds, who died in the war. Reynolds was very brave and died trying to save a wounded friend. Lieutenant Bruce said he wanted to honor Jim Reynolds because he was a "brave young man."

From 1983 to 1989, Bruce worked for a company called Merrill Lynch. However, he also remained a military reservist. In 2004, he took charge of a reserve unit called the Media Operations Group. This group helps to manage how the military's activities are shown in the news. In the same year, he was sent to serve in Iraq during Operation TELIC.

He was promoted to Colonel in the Territorial Army. He also became an equerry to Prince Edward. An equerry is an officer who helps a member of the Royal Family. In 2010, he received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award for his service to the Territorial Army.

In 2019, Bruce became the Governor of Edinburgh Castle. This is an important ceremonial role. He was also promoted to the rank of major general. He was appointed as an Honorary Colonel for several military units in 2020 and 2021.

Officer of Arms

Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
Bruce processing as Fitzalan Pursuivant

In 1998, Queen Elizabeth II appointed Bruce as one of her heralds. A herald is an official who deals with coats of arms and ceremonies. His title was Fitzalan Pursuivant. He has also been a member of the Royal Company of Archers since 1990. This group is the Sovereign's ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland.

Television, Film, and Books

Historical Advisor

Alastair Bruce has worked as a historical advisor for many famous films and TV shows. These include Oscar-winning movies like The King's Speech (2010) and The Young Victoria (2009). He also advised on the BAFTA-winning TV series Downton Abbey (2010–2015). His job was to make sure everything was historically accurate. This included details about clothing, how people stood, how food was served, and even how people spoke.

Bruce has written several books. He has also worked on many TV documentaries that are shown on the BBC, America's PBS network, Discovery Channel, and A&E channels. Some of these documentaries include Nicholas and Alexandra and Victoria and Albert.

Royal Documentaries

In 2017, Bruce had a special conversation with Queen Elizabeth II for the BBC. In a program called The Coronation, the Queen talked about her own coronation, which happened more than 60 years earlier.

Teaching and Academia

Bruce has given many talks across Britain, Europe, and the United States. His talks cover topics from the last Tsars of Russia to the British monarchy and the Vatican. In 2011, he was made an Honorary Professor of Media at the University of Winchester.

Honours and Awards

Major General Bruce has received many awards and medals for his service and achievements. These include:

He also wears an aiguillette (a braided cord) on his uniform. This shows that he is an Equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh. He is also a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, which allows him to use the letters "DL" after his name.

See Also

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