Friday, October 2, 2026 - Sir William Heseltine, the Australian-born former private secretary to Queen Elizabeth II, has died aged 96.
Heseltine died on October 2, 2026, after a career spanning 27 years within the royal household, ultimately serving as the Queen’s private secretary from 1986 to 1990. He was the only Australian to hold that senior royal position.
Heseltine was widely associated with efforts to modernise the monarchy’s relationship with the public and media.
He helped drive the 1969 Royal Family television documentary and was involved in introducing the royal “walkabout,” an approach that brought members of the royal family into closer contact with crowds during public engagements.
News of his death is prompting renewed attention to the role he played behind the scenes at Buckingham Palace.
After retiring in 1990, Heseltine returned to Western Australia but remained in contact with Queen Elizabeth until her death in 2022. He is survived by his wife, Diana Lady Heseltine, and two children, John and Sophy.
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