Capt Sir Alastair Aird

Published on Monday 5 October 2009 20:41

Private secretary to the Queen Mother

Born: 14 January, 1931, in India.

Died: 30 September, 2009, in Dorset, aged 78.

HE WAS the quiet and diplomatic private secretary to the Queen Mother for the last decade of her life. Diligent and punctilious, Sir Alastair Aird, as a servant of the Royal Household for many years, had to cope with several internal altercations of aggrieved personalities at the Queen Mother's London residence at Clarence House. Aird always travelled with his boss to Birkhall and the Castle of Mey and remained on duty throughout such visits, although he usually found time to enjoy his twin loves of shooting and fishing.

Aird's diplomatic skills ensured his ability to get on with all his colleagues in the household and it was to his credit that he was able to fill the considerable shoes of his predecessor, Sir Martin Gilliat, with such distinction. Gilliat, a genial figure, was much loved by his employer, and his retirement had been delayed at the her behest. This meant Aird filled the post of assistant for many years, private secretary in all but name.

On his appointment, the Queen sent her mother a letter assuring her Aird would be "very good", underlined twice. Aird immediately had to use all his tact to sort out certain internal matters. Some of the old guard had, perhaps, remained in their posts longer than was necessary. In truth, the Queen Mother was known not to like change and preferred to maintain the household she knew. Aird also had to deal with the high-profile William Tallon, the Queen Mother's page, who was something of a law unto himself at Clarence House.

Alastair Sturgis Aird was born in India and educated at Eton and Sandhurst. Commissioned into the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's), he served in Germany before leaving the army and serving as an equerry to the Queen Mother from 1960. In 1964 he was appointed her assistant private secretary and ten years later was promoted to act as her comptroller, which involved the upkeep and management of her homes, staff and social events.

Aird represented the Queen Mother at numerous events, especially in her last few years. He attended memorial services and wrote personal letters to friends who sent greetings for her birthday. But there were also the more private matters: Aird approached the Queen Mother as she fished the Polveir pool on the Dee in August 1979 (her favourite pool) to inform her as gently as possible of the murder of Lord Mountbatten.

Aird was one of the last people to speak to the Queen Mother, who, over Easter 2002, did not join the family but remained at Royal Lodge. In William Shawcross's book Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: The Official Biography (2009) Aird recalls his visit to her on the Friday. "She had a smile on her face and I suddenly had the feeling that was the last time we would meet and that she was, in her own way, saying goodbye to me." Aird was much involved with the arrangements for her state funeral and attended the ceremony at Westminster Abbey and the more private service at Windsor.

Aird was always on hand to ensure all visits to the Queen Mother were memorable. In 1991 the Russian Air Force and the Red Arrows were to do a flypast over Birkhall, her home on the Balmoral estate. The Russians had brought a gift to the Queen Mother of a replica of a traditional highly ornate Russian samovar. It had to be rapidly transported north overnight and Aird set up the presentation with no warning on the lawn of Birkhall. Typically, the Queen Mother then took the rather exhausted RAF officers for a cup of tea and a walk in her private garden.

Aird's last years as private secretary were not easy. The Queen Mother's health was clearly in decline and Aird dealt with the many questions about her health with sensitivity. Throughout this time, and despite his own increasing old age, Aird remained at Clarence House to ensure the smooth running of the Queen Mother's affairs. He continued to serve her loyally and with immense courtesy until her death.

Aird was appointed a GCVO in 1997 and served on the committees of several charities including the Feathers Association of Youth Clubs. He was also an honorary bencher at Middle Temple. Aird married, in 1963, Fiona Myddelton, who was Princess Margaret's lady-in-waiting from 1960-63 and is a godmother to the Conservative leader, David Cameron. He is survived by Lady Aird and their two daughters.