Having already halted a breakaway bid by Prince Harry and Meghan to create their own household, the Queen has now brought back one of her most loyal lieutenants to ‘keep an eye’ on the ambitious couple.
I hear she has quietly appointed Sir Christopher Geidt as her Permanent Lord in Waiting. He resigned as her private secretary after an alleged palace coup two years ago.
‘Her Majesty values Lord Geidt’s wise counsel,’ a courtier tells me. ‘This new role gives him a formal status again.’
Sir Christopher Geidt will be working with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
The Duchess of Sussex (left) with Lord Geidt (right), former Private Secretary to Queen Elizabeth II and The Queen's Commonwealth Trust chairman
The Queen (pictured above) has appointed Lord Geidt at her own personal discretion
It’s a non-political appointment and was made at the Queen’s personal discretion. Geidt will be involved in ceremonial events and greet heads of state, such as President Trump, when they visit Buckingham Palace.
Importantly, Sir Christopher will be working closely with the Duchess of Sussex at the Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, of which he is chairman. The Queen made Meghan vice-president of the organisation, which she holds dear, earlier this month.
‘This was all part of the plan to introduce the Duchess to royal life,’ explains the courtier. ‘Lord Geidt will be Her Majesty’s eyes and ears.’
Lord Geit (right) was seen greeting Meghan Markle (left) at an event for International Women's Day
Sir Christopher was seen greeting the American former actress when she visited King’s College London on International Women’s Day. He is the new chairman of the governing council.
Harry and Meghan’s ambitious plans to seek total royal freedom have already been rejected by the Queen.
They are said to be keen to build a global ‘Sussex brand’ of philanthropy and humanitarianism, and to have lobbied for an autonomous new court.
Lord Geit (right) had previously been private secretary to the Queen (left in pink)
However, the Queen and Prince Charles, who will jointly fund their office, thought otherwise.
A royal source claimed last week: ‘They wanted their household to be entirely independent of Buckingham Palace, but were told
