Alastair Bruce of Crionaich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
|
|
|---|---|
_2019.jpg)
Major General Bruce in 2019
|
|
| Birth name | Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce |
| Born | 25 June 1960 Winchester, Hampshire, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
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.
Contents
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
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:
- The South Atlantic Medal for his service in the Falklands War.
- The Iraq Medal for his service in Iraq.
- The Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his service to the Territorial Army.
- The Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
- Medals for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, Diamond Jubilee, and Platinum Jubilee.
- The King Charles III Coronation Medal.
- The Volunteer Reserves Service Medal for his long service in the Army Reserve.
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
Images for kids
-
A Knight of Justice of the Order of St John
-
Cross of Merit with Swords Order Pro Merito Melitense
-
Ribbon for the Order of the Bath
-
Ribbon for the Order of the British Empire
-
Ribbon for the Order of St John
-
Ribbon for the General Service Medal
-
Ribbon for the South Atlantic Medal
-
Ribbon for the Iraq Medal
-
Ribbon for the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
-
Ribbon for the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
-
Ribbon for the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
-
Ribbon for the King Charles III Coronation Medal
-
Ribbon for the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
-
Ribbon for the Service Medal of the Order of St John
-
Ribbon for the Antigua & Barbuda 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal
-
Ribbon for the Order pro Merito Melitense
_Ribbon.svg){kind=small}
_ribbon_-vector.svg){kind=small}
