Martin Charteris, Baron Charteris of Amisfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Charteris of Amisfield
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Charteris in 1962
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| Private Secretary to the Sovereign | |
| In office 1 April 1972 – 12 November 1977 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir Michael Adeane |
| Succeeded by | Sir Philip Moore |
| Assistant Private Secretary to the Sovereign | |
| In office 1 January 1954 – 1 April 1972 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 7 February 1978 – 23 December 1999 Life Peerage |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 September 1913 London, England |
| Died | 23 December 1999 (aged 86) Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England |
| Alma mater | Royal Military College, Sandhurst |
| Military career | |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Years of service | 1933–1951 |
| Rank | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| Unit | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Martin Michael Charles Charteris (born September 7, 1913 – died December 23, 1999) was an important person who worked for Queen Elizabeth II. He was a British Army officer and later became a key helper to the Queen. He was known as Baron Charteris of Amisfield.
He served as the Queen's Assistant Private Secretary to the Sovereign for over 18 years. This was the longest time anyone held that role. Later, he became the main Private Secretary to the Sovereign.
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Early Life and Education
Martin Charteris was born in London, England, on September 7, 1913. His father, Hugo Francis Charteris, died in the First World War when Martin was young. His mother, Lady Violet Catherine Manners, later remarried.
Martin went to Eton College, a famous school. After that, he studied at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is where people train to become officers in the British Army.
Military Service in World War II
After his training, Martin joined the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He fought in the Second World War in the Middle East. He rose through the ranks to become a lieutenant-colonel.
In 1944, while serving in Jerusalem, he married Mary Margesson. They had three children together. He left the Army in 1951.
Working for the Queen
In 1950, Martin Charteris started working for Princess Elizabeth. At that time, she was the Duchess of Edinburgh and was expected to become Queen.
When Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II in 1952, Martin continued to work for her. He was her Assistant Private Secretary until 1972.
Becoming Private Secretary
In 1972, he was promoted to Private Secretary to the Sovereign. This is a very important job. The Private Secretary is the Queen's main advisor and helps manage her official duties.
He held this important role until he retired in 1977. After retiring, he became the Provost of Eton College. He was also given the special honour of being a Permanent Lord in Waiting.
His Public Comments
Martin Charteris was known for being very honest. In an interview in 1995, he shared his opinions about some members of the Royal Family. He described the Duchess of York as "vulgar" and the then Prince of Wales (now Charles III) as "whiny." He also said the Queen Mother was "a bit of an ostrich" because she avoided things she didn't want to see.
Awards and Honours
Martin Charteris received many awards for his service. These honours recognized his military career and his long service to the Royal Family.
British Honours
- He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1946.
- He received the Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1953.
- He became a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1958.
- He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1962.
- In 1970, he received the Queen Elizabeth II Version of the Royal Household Long and Faithful Service Medal. This was for 20 years of service to the Royal Family.
- He became a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 1972.
- In 1976, he was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order.
- He received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1977.
- He was awarded the Queen's Service Order in 1978.
- In 1978, he was made a life peer. This meant he became Baron Charteris of Amisfield and could sit in the House of Lords.
- He received the Royal Victorian Chain in 1992.
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Foreign Honours
- From
Malaysia, he received the Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia in 1972. - From
Austria, he received the Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria in 1966.
Portrayals in Media
Martin Charteris has been shown in the popular Netflix series The Crown.
- In the first two seasons, he was played by Harry Hadden-Paton.
- In seasons 3 and 4, an older Martin Charteris was played by Charles Edwards.
The show sometimes showed him holding his job as Private Secretary for longer than he did in real life.
