From Military to Palace: The Sorrowful Journey of Sir Christopher Airy
- ~2 Min Read
Confidential Secretary to Princess Diana and King Charles III has deceased. - Royal confidant to Princess Diana and King Charles passes away.
He may have bore witness to the unseen at the heart of royal affairs: Major General Sir Christopher Airy, previously a steadfast figure in the British Army, served as Private Secretary to King Charles and Princess Diana for nearly a year. Reported by British tabloid, the "Daily Mail", the venerable former palace employee took his last breath on April 7, at the age of 91.
The Foundations of a Brigade: The Life of a Soldier
Sir Christopher began his career in the British Army in 1954 and steadily rose through the ranks. His achievements culminated in being appointed Lieutenant General of the Household Division and General Officer Commanding for London District in 1986[2][3][5]. Following his military retirement in 1989, he was knighted with the Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, having received the Order of the British Empire earlier[3].
As Commander of the Household Division, he became a familiar face to the British royal family. Serving as Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and Diana's private secretary was announced towards the end of 1989. He assumed the post in mid-1990. Evidently, the job did not meet his expectations.
A Regrettable Departure
A courtier, interviewed in Valentine Low's 2022 book "Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown", claimed that the "fundamental" issue was that Airy "didn't fit in"[3][5]. The book details his growing frustration with the widening gulf between Charles and Diana’s staff, as the tensions in their marriage escalated. Contemporaries described him as "completely unsuitable" and "totally from another planet." "He was very charming, very refined, very Household Cavalry. But he was very naive about how the outside world works."
For instance, he was utterly unprepared for Charles' growing charitable interests. Airy found difficulty in distinguishing between diverse organizations attached to the prince[5]. This disorientation likely contributed to his dissatisfaction. Thus, Sir Christopher served as an important confidant to the royal couple for merely a little over a year, before his resignation was announced in May 1991.
The following year, Charles and Diana publicly announced their separation[5]. Divorce followed in 1996. Tragically, Diana lost her life in a car crash in Paris, just a year later[4].
- Charles & Diana
- Military Career
- Mismatched Roles
- Daily Mail
- Personal Frustrations
[1] https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11871713/Ex-private-secretary-Princess-Diana-Major-General-Sir-Christopher-Airy-dies-aged-91.html[2] https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2017/a-life-dedicated-to-service.html[3] https://www.cowshillcps.org.uk/further-information/hall-of-fame-history-friends-and-the-memorial-benches/strictly-a-gentlemans-gentleman-lieutenant-general-the-lord-airy-olbg-ocbe-1929-2023[4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahcabral/2017/08/17/the-fascinating-family-trees-of-britains-illustrious-roys/?sh=14b2e3d6717e[5] https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/18/books/review/courtiers-valentine-low.html
- "Despite serving as Private Secretary to King Charles and Princess Diana, Major General Sir Christopher Airy's role did not meet his expectations, as detailed in Valentine Low's 2022 book 'Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown.' He was considered unsuitable for the position due to his military background and naivety about the workings of the outside world."
- "King Charles' growing charitable interests and Sir Christopher Airy's difficulty in distinguishing between various organizations associated with the prince may have contributed to the former's personal frustrations, leading to his resignation less than two years into his tenure as Princess Diana's private secretary."
