Newly released documents from the National Archives reveal that Queen Elizabeth II was not fully briefed on the shocking espionage activities of her trusted art surveyor, Anthony Blunt, until 1973—almost a decade after his confession.
Blunt, a distinguished art historian, was appointed surveyor of the Queen’s pictures by King George VI in 1945, a role he carried out with great acclaim for nearly 20 years. However, beneath his polished professional exterior, Blunt was a Soviet spy who admitted in 1964 to working for Russian intelligence since the 1930s. He was later exposed as the “fourth man” in the infamous Cambridge Five spy ring.
Despite his confession, Blunt continued in his royal role until his retirement in 1972, with palace officials deliberately withholding the full truth from the Queen.
When the Queen was finally informed of Blunt’s double life, she reacted with her trademark composure. A letter from her private secretary, Sir Martin Charteris, described her response as “calm and without surprise.”
The newly disclosed records show a deliberate effort by palace officials to shield the Queen from the details of Blunt’s betrayal. Sir Martin Charteris, who led the palace’s approach, resisted calls from MI5 to cut ties with Blunt, reasoning that his retirement was imminent and that the Queen rarely interacted with him.
In November 1972, MI5 Director-General Michael Hanley urged Charteris to sever Blunt’s royal connections. Charteris, however, argued there was “little point” in taking immediate action. He reportedly downplayed the issue, stating that the Queen “was not at all keen on Blunt and saw him rarely.”
Intervention by the Prime Minister
Then, Prime Minister Edward Heath took decisive action, ordering preparations for a potential media scandal and ensuring that Charteris fully briefed the Queen.
Blunt’s unmasking in the 1970s shocked the nation and tarnished his once-illustrious reputation as a leading art historian and royal servant. His betrayal underscored the complexities of balancing loyalty to the monarchy with the political and security challenges of the time.
This revelation adds another chapter to the intricate history of the monarchy, illustrating the lengths to which palace officials went to protect the Queen from unsettling truths.
