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Royal Aide's Media Revolution: Queen's Man Dies
3 Oct
Summary
- Sir William Heseltine, Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary, died at 96.
- He transformed the monarchy's media relations and invented the 'royal walkabout'.
- An Australian-born, he served the Queen for 27 years.
Sir William Heseltine, a distinguished Australian-born figure who served Queen Elizabeth II for 27 years, has died at the age of 96. He held the pivotal role of Private Secretary to the Sovereign, being the first Australian to do so.
Throughout his tenure, Heseltine maintained a close bond with the Queen, remaining in contact until her passing. Following his retirement in 1990, he resided in Perth, Western Australia, reflecting fondly on his time serving Her Majesty.
Heseltine's legacy includes significant transformations in how the British Monarchy interacted with the media and public. He was key in initiating the broadcast of documentaries capturing royal life and pioneered the 'royal walkabout' during a 1970 tour, a practice that enabled direct public engagement.
His efforts also aimed to demystify the Royal Family's press interactions, particularly during sensitive periods. Before his service to the Queen, Heseltine also served as private secretary to Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies.
