William Heseltine

Sir William Frederick Payne Heseltine, GCB, GCVO, AC, QSO (born 17 July 1930), is a former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II. He was in office from 1986 to 1990.

This article is about the Australian and British official. For the Australian cyclist, see Bill Heseltine. For the American scientist and businessman, see William A. Haseltine. For the American historian, see William B. Hesseltine.

The Right Honourable

Sir William Heseltine

GCB GCVO AC QSO
Private Secretary to the Sovereign
In office
1 April 1986 – 19 October 1990
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Philip Moore
Succeeded bySir Robert Fellowes
Acting Secretary to the Governor-General of Australia
The 1st Viscount De L'Isle
In office
May 1962 – August 1962
MonarchElizabeth II
Preceded bySir Murray Tyrrell
Succeeded bySir Murray Tyrrell
Personal details
Born (1930-07-17) 17 July 1930
Wyalkatchem, Western Australia, Australia
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Western Australia

Biography

Heseltine was educated at Richmond Primary School, Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont, Western Australia, and the University of Western Australia, where he received a 1st class BA (Hons) in history. Heseltine joined the Prime Minister's Department (Australia) in 1951, where he remained until 1962. He was Private Secretary to Sir Robert Menzies, Prime Minister (1955–1959), and Acting Official Secretary to The 1st Viscount De L'Isle, Governor-General, May to August 1962. In 1960-1961, he was temporary Assistant Press Secretary to the Queen.

From 1962-1964 he was Assistant Federal Director of the Liberal Party of Australia, and in 1964 was attached to The Age (Melbourne). In the same year, he was attached to Princess Marina for her tour of Australia. Heseltine joined the Press Office of The Royal Household as Assistant Press Secretary to the Queen in 1965-1967. He was Press Secretary 1968-1972.

In 1972, Heseltine was moved to the Private Secretary's Office proper, becoming Assistant Private Secretary. In 1977, he was promoted to Deputy Private Secretary and, in April 1986, to Private Secretary to the Sovereign, and Keeper of the Queen's Archives. He retired in October 1990.[1]

He was appointed an Extra Equerry while Deputy Private Secretary to the Queen. He has been a company director from 1991, including chairman of NZI Insurance Australia Ltd 1992 (deputy 1991-1992); director of NZI Insurance New Zealand 1996; P&O Australia Ltd 1990-; and West Coast Telecasters Ltd 1991-1996.

Appointments

Retirement

On leaving Royal service, Sir William retired to the historic town of York in his native Western Australia.

Honours
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)1990
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)1986
Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB)1977
Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)1990[2]
Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)1982
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)1969
Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)1961
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)1988[3]
Centenary Medal2001[4]
Queen's Service Order (QSO)1990 (New Zealand)
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria1969 (Austria)[5]

References
  2. It's an Honour: GCVO, 19 October 1990, Private Secretary to HM The Queen 1986-90
  3. It's an Honour: AC, 26 January 1988, For service to the Crown as Private Secretary to The Queen of Australia
  4. It's an Honour: Centenary Medal, 1 January 2001, For service to Her Majesty, The Queen.
  5. "Reply to a parliamentary question" (pdf) (in German). p. 275. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
Court offices
Preceded by
Sir Philip Moore		 Private Secretary to the Sovereign
1986–1990		 Succeeded by
Lord Fellowes
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