Who is Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell? Prince Philip's private secretary could be only non-royal to attend funeral
Preparations for Prince Phillips funerals are underway, amidst the pandemic. The funeral is to be held on Saturday, April 17, while maintaining strict protocol, seeing that only 30 members are allowed to attend the same.
Among these select 30 is Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell, the only non-royal family member who will be in attendance. Archie Miller-Bakewell was the Duke of Edinburgh’s private secretary. He worked for him for over a decade.
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Who is Brigadier Archie Miller Bakewell?
Other than having served the royal for over 10 years, not much is known about Archie Miller Bakewell. The private secretary has kept his personal life under wraps and has chosen to stay out of the limelight. As per the Royal Central, Miller Bakewell assumed his duties in 2010, taking on the role of the Duke’s most senior and trusted aide.
Among his many responsibilities, he managed the Duke's diary as well well as planned his public engagements up until 2017, before Prince Phillip retired. On numerous occasions, Brigadier Miller Bakewell represented the Duke of Edinburgh at official events as well, in situations where Prince Philip was unable to attend.
However, in an article by the Daily Mail, he was described as "charming, old school, Establishment – and completely wet". The article, which refers to a driving accident that took place back in 2019 involving Prince Philip, spoke about how no one could stop the then 97-year-old royal from driving, even though he was heavily advised against it.
The article states that there are a very few people Prince Phillip would've listened to — such as his respected former private secretary Miles Hunt-Davis, and Dick Griffin, his no-nonsense ‘old school’ former police chief were either dead or long retired.
The article also stated that a source mentioned that the open two were probably the only ones who could've convinced the aging royal. "Dick was an old-style copper and, along with Brigadier Hunt-Davis, was the only person able to stand up to the Duke," they said.
"He would have taken the duke’s keys away from him rather than let him drive, and Miles was just about the only person, aside from his wife, that could have made him realize was a damn fool he has been," they added.
In light of the pandemic, the public has been asked to stay away from the funeral, to avoid the gathering of crowds. The ceremony, however, will be a televised event.
As reported by The Sun, the Duke's death was to have a small 'no fuss' funeral. Code-named Operation Forth Bridge, the funeral did include full military honors which have now been scaled back. The service is to be held at St George’s Chapel in Windsor with the burial in Frogmore Gardens.