Sir William Heseltine, Queen's private secretary who brought royals to TV, dies at 96
Sir William Frederick Payne Heseltine, who served as Queen Elizabeth II's private secretary from 1986 to 1990, has died aged 96.
He died on 2 October 2026, according to The Guardian.
The private secretary is the monarch's senior working aide, responsible for official papers, correspondence and the daily programme of audiences and visits. Heseltine spent 27 years at Buckingham Palace, rising from assistant information officer to that top post. He was the first Australian to enter the royal household.
He was born on 17 July 1930 in Fremantle, Western Australia. He was educated at Christ Church Grammar School in Claremont, then took a first-class history degree at the University of Western Australia. He began his civil service career in the private office of Australian Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies.
In 1960 Heseltine was seconded for two years to Australia House in London. From there he joined Buckingham Palace as a junior press officer. After that first posting he served as official secretary to Australia's governor-general before returning to the Queen as assistant press secretary.
Heseltine suggested and organised the 1969 Royal Family television documentary, which opened palace life to cameras in a way not seen before. It was watched by an estimated 68% of the British public, according to The Guardian. The idea stuck.
He also instigated the royal walkabout on public visits, the practice of stopping to meet crowds face to face rather than driving past. What makes this stand out is the shift in method. Both the film and the walkabout changed how the public saw the working day, without changing the office itself.
The Guardian described him as having a strong claim to have been one of the most consequential royal courtiers. He retired from royal service in October 1990. He held the honour GCB, Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, a senior award for Crown and public service.
