Sir Anthony Rumbold, 10th Baronet facts for kids

Sir Anthony Rumbold (born March 7, 1911, died December 4, 1983) was an important British diplomat. He worked for his country in many places, including serving as an ambassador in Thailand and Austria. He was also known as the 10th Baronet of Rumbold. KCMG KCVO CB

Early Life and Education

Anthony Rumbold was born Horace Anthony Claude Rumbold. His father was Sir Horace Rumbold, 9th Baronet. Anthony went to famous schools like Eton College and Magdalen College, Oxford. For a short time, he was a Fellow at Queen's College, Oxford. In 1935, he joined the Diplomatic Service, which is like working for the government to represent your country in other nations.

A Career in Diplomacy

Starting His Diplomatic Journey

Rumbold began his career working in the Foreign Office in London. This office helps manage Britain's relationships with other countries. In 1937, he was sent to Washington, D.C., in the United States.

He returned to the Foreign Office in 1942. Then, in 1944, he was posted to Italy. There, he worked with Harold Macmillan, who was a British minister.

Important Roles and Travels

In 1947, Rumbold moved to Prague. He came back to the Foreign Office in 1949. He became the head of the Southern Europe department. This meant he was in charge of Britain's relations with countries in southern Europe.

In 1951, he was posted to Paris. In March 1954, he got a very important job. He became the principal private secretary (PPS) to the Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden. A PPS is a top assistant who helps a senior government official with their daily work and important meetings.

Rumbold traveled with Anthony Eden on many trips. These included the Geneva Conference in May 1954. He also went with Eden and Winston Churchill to Washington in June. They met with the US Secretary of State and President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Later, in September 1954, he joined a tour of European capitals.

Working with Prime Ministers

When Winston Churchill stepped down, Anthony Eden became Prime Minister in April 1955. Rumbold stayed on as PPS for a few months. He worked for the new Foreign Secretary, Harold Macmillan. He went with Macmillan to San Francisco in June 1955. They met with other foreign ministers to prepare for the Geneva Summit.

Rumbold later returned to the Foreign Office. From 1957 to 1960, he was an assistant Under-Secretary of State. He was responsible for relations between European countries and East-West relations. He continued to travel with the Foreign Secretary, Selwyn Lloyd. He helped prepare for important meetings, like the 1960 Paris Summit. This summit did not go as planned because of the U-2 incident, where a US spy plane was shot down.

Ambassador Roles

In June 1960, Rumbold was appointed as a Minister in Paris. This was a high-ranking position under the ambassador.

In 1965, he became the Ambassador to Thailand. While there, he also represented the UK on the Council of SEATO, a group of countries working together for security.

His final appointment was in 1967. He became the Ambassador to Austria. He retired from the Diplomatic Service in 1970.

Awards and Honours

Anthony Rumbold received many awards for his service. He was appointed CMG in 1953. This was when he was working at the Embassy in Paris. He also received the CB in 1955 for his work as PPS to the Foreign Secretary.

He was knighted KCMG in 1962. This meant he could use "Sir" before his name. He also received the KCVO in 1969. The government of Norway made him Commander of the Order of St. Olav in 1955. Austria gave him the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit in 1969.

Personal Life

Anthony Rumbold became the 10th Baronet of Rumbold when his father, Sir Horace Rumbold, 9th Baronet, passed away in 1941. This meant he was called Sir Anthony even before he received his knighthood.

In 1937, he married Felicity Ann Bailey at St Margaret's, Westminster. They had three daughters and one son. His son, Sir Henry Rumbold, later inherited the baronetcy.

Anthony Rumbold's best man at his wedding was his friend and fellow diplomat Donald Maclean. Years later, Donald Maclean was found to be a spy for the Soviet Union.

In 1974, Sir Anthony and Lady Rumbold divorced. He then married Mrs Pauline Graham. She passed away in 2008. They did not have any children together.