Jean-Christophe Gray Explained

Jean-Christophe Gray
Office:Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales
Termstart:September 2022
Termend:March 2024
Successor:Ian Patrick
Predecessor:Clive Alderton (as Private Secretary to Prince Charles)
Office1:Private Secretary to the
Duke of Cambridge
Termstart1:February 2021
Termend1:September 2022
Predecessor1:Christian Jones
Successor1:himself (as Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales)
Office2:Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson
Termstart2:2012
Termend2:2015
Successor2:Helen Bower
Predecessor2:Steve Field
Primeminister2:David Cameron
Birth Name:Jean-Christophe Nicholas Gray

Jean-Christophe Nicholas Gray, (born November 1975) is a former British civil servant who served as the Prime Minister's official spokesperson for David Cameron between 2012 and 2015. He later served as the Private Secretary to William, Prince of Wales between 2021 and 2024.[1]

Career

Gray read Modern History at the University of Oxford (1994–1997) and went on to earn an MSc degree in European Politics & Policy from the London School of Economics (1997–1998).[2]

Gray was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 dissolution honours for public service.[3]

In February 2021, he became the Private Secretary to then-Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.[4] [5] [6] He stepped down from the role in March 2024 and was succeeded by Ian Patrick.[7] [8] In the 2024 King's Birthday Honours, Gray was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO) for his services.[9]

According to The Times, "Jean-Christophe Gray has a reputation as Whitehall's most assiduous bean counter".[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prince William appoints David Cameron's former spokesperson as his new private secretary. 21 February 2021. Royal Central. 4 February 2022.
  2. News: Shipman. Roya Nikkhah Tim. Treasury 'velociraptor' to claw back prince's spending. . en. 2021-04-03. 0140-0460.
  3. Web site: Dissolution Honours 2015. 2022-02-11. GOV.UK. en.
  4. Web site: The team. 2021-04-03. Royal Foundation. en-GB.
  5. Web site: Cope. Rebecca. The Duke of Cambridge hires David Cameron's former spokesman Jean-Christophe Gray as private secretary. 2021-04-03. Tatler. 22 February 2021 . en-GB.
  6. Web site: Prince William's new private secretary could see royal engagements change dramatically. Women and Home. 1 April 2021.
  7. Web site: Prince William and Princess Kate make big changes to royal team - details. Hello!. Phoebe. Tatham. 8 October 2023. 8 October 2023. According to The Times, Jean-Christophe is on secondment from Whitehall and will leave Kensington Palace in spring 2024..
  8. Web site: 2024-03-08 . Prince William Steps Out With His New Private Secretary . 2024-07-17 . Town & Country . en-US.
  9. News: King honours his royal doctors for their personal service amid cancer treatment . 15 June 2024 . . 17 June 2024.