ADEANE, Hon George Edward (1939-2015)

[Richard R]

He was s of the LP Baron ADEANE (1910-84), sometime private secretary to THE QUEEN, and Helen (1916-94) d of Richard CHETWYND-STAPLETON (1880-1945), scion of the CHETWYND viscounts, and Vera Helen MAITLAND MAKGILL CRICHTON (1894-1959), scion of the LAUDERDALE earls and HULSE Bts. He is survived by his companion Brent SNAPE.

Obit in Telegraph of 22 May 2015: 

EXTRACT

Edward Adeane, courtier - obituary

Libel lawyer born into a family of courtiers who became private secretary to the Prince of Wales

Edward Adeane, who has died aged 75, was a former private secretary and treasurer to the Prince of Wales, descended from a distinguished line of courtiers.

He was the son of Sir Michael (later Lord) Adeane, a long-serving private secretary to the Queen. Neither would have served had the Zulus not severed the arteries of the Prince Imperial in 1879. Queen Victoria wished to recognise the services of one Arthur Bigge to the ill-fated prince, and thus she adopted him into her household. He went on to become private secretary to King George V, dying in office as Lord Stamfordham in 1931. His daughter, Victoria, was the mother of Michael Adeane.

An only son, George Edward Adeane was born on October 4 1939. His mother, Helen, was the daughter of Richard Chetwynd-Stapleton. He was educated at Eton and Magdalene College, Cambridge, and was a page of honour to the Queen from 1954 to 1956...

Adeane gave up his practice at the Bar in 1979 to succeed Squadron Leader David Checketts as private secretary to the Prince of Wales. At the time of his appointment it was widely thought that he would become a permanent fixture, emulating his great-grandfather, Lord Stamfordham, of whom King George V wrote: “He taught me how to be a king. He was the most loyal friend I have ever had.” ...

[He] did not lay the foundations for a felicitous relationship between the Prince’s bride and his private secretary. Adeane soon found himself one of several figures who were sidelined by the nervous and suspicious Princess as she disposed in quick succession of a number of the Prince’s long-serving and loyal staff. Nevertheless he was additionally appointed private secretary to the Princess in 1984, following the resignation of Oliver Everett.

In 1985 Adeane resigned after a number of disagreements, including accusations that he had made plans without consulting the Prince and that his style was too much of the old school. On the other hand, Adeane found that the Prince almost invariably did the opposite of what he advised. A point at issue was the lack of time that he spent in the Principality of Wales, something Adeane tried in vain to alter. ...

Adeane may have lost the official favour of the Prince of Wales, but he continued to be a regular guest of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Birkhall each September. Latterly he held various directorships and was for some years a member of the British Library board and a trustee of Lambeth Palace library.

Edward Adeane was a retiring figure, remembered as having disliked games at school, and as being fond of fine food (he always ate out, even breakfast). He was a well-liked man.

He is survived by his companion, Brent Snape.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11621568/Edward-Adeane-courtier-obituary.html

[Richard R]

The official death notice from the Telegraph and Times of 2 June 2015: ADEANE  Hon George Edward C.V.O., died peacefully on 20th May 2015, at the age of 75. A private committal will take place. No flowers please. A memorial service to be followed by a reception will be held, and details of this together with donations, if desired, will be published when arrangements have been finalised.