Royal Communications Explained

Royal Communications is a branch of the Private Secretary's Office of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom responsible for media relations and communicating with various organisations and authorities on matters to do with The King and the Royal Family. Until early 2014, Royal Communications was known as the Royal Household Press Office.

The head of Royal Communications is the Communications Secretary to the King and Queen. The post is currently held by Tobyn Andreae.

Communications Secretaries

In 2014, the press offices of members of the Royal Family merged for a time at Buckingham Palace, though individual Communications Secretaries for members of the Royal Family were retained. Those members of the Royal Family who do not have their own Communications Secretaries are represented by that of The King and Queen.

The current Communications Secretaries within the Royal Household are:

• Tobyn Andreae (Communications Secretary to The King and Queen)^[1]
• Lee Thompson (Communications Secretary to The Prince and Princess of Wales)^[2]

Former Press Office positions

Many officials have been made members of the Royal Victorian Order, at grade Member (MVO), Lieutenant (LVO), Commander (CVO), or Knight Commander (KCVO).

Director of Royal Communications (2014–2018)

• Sally Osman, LVO 2014–2018

The Queen's Media Secretary (2016–2018)

• Steve Kingstone, MVO 2016–2018

List of Communications & Press Secretary to The Queen

• James Roscoe, MVO 2013–2017
• Ailsa Anderson, LVO 2010–2013
• Samantha Cohen, LVO 2007–2010
• Miss Penelope Russell-Smith, CVO 2002–07

List of Deputy Press Secretary to The Queen

• Steve Kingstone, MVO 2013–2016
• James Roscoe, MVO 2012–2013
• Ed Perkins, MVO 2010–2012
• Ailsa Anderson, LVO 2007–2010
• Samantha Cohen, LVO 2003–2007
• Penelope Russell-Smith, LVO 1998–2002
• Geoffrey Crawford, CVO 1993–1997
• John Haslam, LVO 1988–1993

List of Communications Secretaries (1998–2002)

• Simon Walker 2000–2002
• Simon Lewis 1998–2000

List of Press Secretaries to the Sovereign (1918–2002)

• Penelope Russell-Smith, LVO 2000–2002
• Geoffrey Crawford, CVO 1997–2000
• Charles Anson, LVO 1990–1997
• Robin Janvrin, LVO 1987–1990
• Michael Shea, CVO 1978–1987
• Ronald Allison, CVO 1973–1978
• Robin Ludlow, 1972–1973
• William Heseltine, CVO 1968–1972
• Richard Colville, KCVO CB DSC 1947–1968
• Lewis Ritchie, KCVO CBE Royal Navy 1944–1947

vacant 1931–1944

• Sir Frank Mitchell, CBE MVO 1920–1931
• Samuel Pryor 1918–1920

List of Assistant Press Secretaries to the Sovereign

• 1947–1957: Hon. Alexander Hood
• 1958–1981: Anne Hawkins (Wall from 1975)
• 1959–1960: Joseph Bennet Odunton^{[3] [4] [5] [6]}
• 1965–1967: William Heseltine
• 1970–1974: Lawrence Bryant

Notes and References

1. Web site: Hall . Ellie . King Charles Hired A Former Top Editor At The Tabloids That Published Critical Kate Middleton Columns And The Story That Was An Impetus For The Breakdown Of Meghan Markle’s Relationship With Her Father . 2022-10-08 . BuzzFeed News . en.
2. Web site: 2022-06-11 . Kate Middleton and Prince William make big change to Kensington Palace operations - details . 2022-10-08 . HELLO! . en.
3. News: Marz . Blaine . 1959-05-15 . Queen Elizabeth Appoints Negro . The Times . 2018-09-03.
4. Book: Kay, Ernest . 1970 . Dictionary of African biography. registration .
5. News: 1959-06-10 . Mr. Odunton of Ghana makes Palace history . Trove . 2018-09-03.
6. The Times Cuttings: Africa West . University Microfil. 1958.