Queen Elizabeth II Appoints Former MI5 Spy Chief For Big Job At The Palace

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Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen Elizabeth II appoints a new member of staff, former MI5 spy chief as Lord Chamberlain at the palace.

Buckingham Palace in a statement said that, "The Queen has appointed Andrew Parker, Baron Parker of Minsmere, as Lord Chamberlain to succeed Lord Peel, who will retire on March 31. On 1 April 2021, Lord Parker will take up his appointment."

About Lord Parker's career spans 37 years in the Security Service (MI5), most recently serving as Director General of MI5 from 2013 until 2020. He is having an MA degree in Natural Sciences from Churchill College, Cambridge; he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in 2019. Lord Parker was created a cross bench life peer in December 2020.

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He has been a non-executive director of Babcock International since November 2020 and is an advisor to Telicent.

He has worked for several years with the Security Service and MI5 - the UK domestic counter-intelligence and security agency.

The Royal Household's most senior officer post is of Lord Chamberlain who oversees the general business of the royal household, communicating between the sovereign and the House of Lords.

The Lord Chamberlain of the palace is also a link between the Queen and The House of Lord, as well as responsible for coordinating activities of different household offices.

They are also responsible for organising parts of the Queen's program that involve ceremonial activity or public-facing events, such as state visits or royal weddings.

Lord Peel announced his intention to retire last spring. He was appointed in June 2006 and led the royal household during a period of significant progress and change, including the introduction of the Sovereign Grant in 2012, as well as overseeing the Buckingham Palace restoration project. He also played a key role during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012.

Lord Peel has worked for 37 years in Security Service after joining in in 1983. He became the director of international terrorism at the service in February 2005, just months before the London bombings, leading the Security Service's response after the attack.

Lord Peel went on to become director-general of MI5 in April 2013.

In a statement, he said: "During the 14 years that I have served in this role, I have witnessed a great deal of positive change across the royal households. It has of course been both a great privilege and pleasure to be part of so many significant events, and to be able to serve Her Majesty and the Royal Household in this unique position."