William Booth (priest) facts for kids
William James Booth was an Anglican priest who held important roles, including serving as a chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II. He was also a priest vicar at the famous Westminster Abbey in London.
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Early Life and Education
William Booth was born in 1939. He came from a family with roots in Dublin. He went to school at Ballymena Academy in County Antrim. Later, he studied at Trinity College, Dublin, where he earned his first degree in 1960. He continued his studies and received a Master of Arts degree in 1975.
Career as a Priest and Chaplain
William Booth became a deacon in the Church of Ireland in 1962. A year later, in 1963, he was ordained as a full priest. His first job was as a curate at St Luke's Parish in Belfast, where he worked from 1962 to 1964.
After that, he became a chaplain at two schools. He served at Cranleigh School in Surrey from 1965 to 1974. Then, he moved to Westminster School, where he was chaplain from 1974 to 1991.
Serving the Royal Family
William Booth held several significant positions serving Queen Elizabeth II. From 1991, he was the sub-dean of the Chapel Royal. He was also the Queen's domestic chaplain, which meant he was the main full-time religious advisor for the Queen's household.
He also served as a priest vicar at Westminster Abbey from 1987 to 1993. Additionally, he was a priest in ordinary to Queen Elizabeth from 1976 to 1993.
Retirement and Final Years
William Booth retired from his duties with the Queen's household in March 2007. He had served the Royal Family for 16 years. To honor his service, the Queen appointed him a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) on March 5, 2007. A special party was held for his retirement at Buckingham Palace later that month.
After retiring, he continued to work. He was an acting chaplain at New College, Oxford, from January to June 2009. He also served as the club chaplain at the East India Club in London. William Booth passed away in Oxford on June 2, 2009. His funeral was held at Queens Chapel in London, and a memorial service took place at St Margaret's Chapel, Westminster, soon after.
