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Alastair Bruce of Crionaich

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"Alastair Bruce" redirects here. For the hereditary peer, see Alastair Bruce, 5th Baron Aberdare.

Major General

Alastair Bruce of Crionaich

OBE VR DL
Major General Bruce in 2019
Birth nameAlastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce[1]
Born (1960-06-25) 25 June 1960 (age 64)[1]
Winchester, Hampshire, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchBritish Army
Years of service1979–2024
RankMajor General
UnitScots Guards
General Staff
CommandsGovernor of Edinburgh Castle
Battles / warsFalklands War
Iraq War
The Troubles
AwardsOBE
VR
Spouse(s)
Stephen Knott
​
(m. 2021)​
RelationsEarls of Elgin and Kincardine
Other workFitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary
Dir. Ceremonies, Order of St John

Major-General Alastair Andrew Bernard Reibey Bruce of Crionaich OBE VR DL (born 25 June 1960), is a journalist and television correspondent,[2] and a senior British Army reservist and officer of arms in the Royal Household. He commanded the TA Media Operations Group before being appointed Governor of Edinburgh Castle in 2019.[3]

Royal, Religious and National Events Commentator for Sky News, Bruce was previously engaged by the BBC, and was historical adviser to several feature films and the ITV series Downton Abbey.[4] He has commentated on many major state events in the United Kingdom, including the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Royal Wedding in 2011, the Papal Visit in 2010, the Coronation in 2023, and the deaths and funerals of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, the Queen Mother in 2002, the Duke of Edinburgh in 2021, and Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Early life and education

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Bruce was born at Winchester in 1960, younger son of Lieutenant Commander Henry Victor Bruce of Salloch and Helen Vernon Wallop William-Powlett, daughter of Vice Admiral Sir Peveril William-Powlett. His great-grandfather was the 8th Earl of Elgin.[1] Brought up in Hampshire, he spent much of his childhood in Sutherland, in the far north of the Scottish Highlands,[5] where his parents owned the Sallachy Estate[6] near the village of Lairg.[7]

Bruce was educated at Milton Abbey School, an independent boarding school for boys (now co-educational), in Milton Abbas, Dorset, before attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Berkshire.[5]

Life and career

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Armed forces

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Commissioned in the British Army, in 1979, Bruce was promoted, the following year, to lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion[7] of the Scots Guards.[1] He served as a regular officer for four years, seeing active service in the Falklands War of 1982. The following year, he erected a cairn at Sallachy in Sutherland, in memory of his orderly in the Falklands, Guardsman James Reynolds, from the village of Bridge of Weir in Renfrewshire, who was killed in action while bringing back a wounded comrade, who survived. Reynolds died at the age of 19 at Tumbledown Mountain, and at the time was the only soldier to be awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal posthumously. At the time, Lieutenant Bruce said: "On returning to Britain after the Falklands, I decided I wanted to do something in honour of Jim Reynolds. He was such a brave young man who was well-liked by everyone".[7]

An Assistant Vice-president with Merrill Lynch from 1983 to 1989,[1] Bruce remained a military reservist. In 2004, he took command of the reserve unit, Media Operations Group, co-ordinating media representation of military activity.[8] In the same year, he was mobilised on active operations in Iraq, serving in Operation TELIC.[9] He was promoted colonel in the Territorial Army, and became the equerry to Prince Edward.[4] After serving as Director of Ceremonies of the Order of St John, in 2008, Bruce was appointed a Knight of St John[10] (OStJ (1991);[11] CStJ (1997)),[12] and in 2010, became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours for "services to the Territorial Army".[7][13] He was Deputy Commander of 3rd Division and Colonel of the London Scottish Regiment.[9]

In 2019, Bruce succeeded Major General Michael Riddell-Webster as Governor of Edinburgh Castle[14] and was promoted to the rank of major general.[15]

In 2020, Bruce was appointed honorary colonel of 5 Military Intelligence Battalion;[16] and in 2021, as honorary colonel of Tayforth Universities Officers' Training Corps.[17] He was further appointed honorary colonel of the 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland Army Reserve from 1 December 2023.[18]

Officer of Arms

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Bruce processing as Fitzalan Pursuivant

Queen Elizabeth II appointed Bruce as one of her heralds on 7 October 1998 as Fitzalan Pursuivant,[19] and he has been a member of the Royal Company of Archers,[20] the Sovereign's ceremonial bodyguard in Scotland, since 1990.[9]

Television, film and publications

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Historian

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Bruce has worked as a historical advisor to Oscar-winning films such as The King's Speech (2010) and The Young Victoria (2009), and the BAFTA-winning television series Downton Abbey (2010–2015) in which he provided historical accuracy as far as possible while balancing this with the need not to slow down the story unduly. He also advised on the minutiae of early 20th-century society protocol, in such subjects as dress, posture, the serving of food and even on matters that might initially appear trivial, such as the use of vocabulary or the correct way to step out of a car.[4][5]

Bruce has written many books, and worked with several independent production companies in the preparation of television documentaries which are regularly aired on the BBC, America's PBS network, Discovery Channel and A&E channels. Among these are Nicholas and Alexandra, Victoria and Albert (2001) and Days of Majesty.[9]

Royal documentary

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In 2017 Bruce recorded a conversation with Queen Elizabeth II for the BBC: the Queen spoke about her coronation, more than 60 years earlier, in a programme entitled The Coronation.[21]

Academia

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Bruce has lectured widely throughout Britain, Europe and the United States; his subjects range from the last Tsars of Russia to British monarchy and the Vatican. In 2011, he was appointed Honorary Professor of Media at the University of Winchester.[9]

On 29 August 2024, Bruce announced via X that he had submitted an application to run in the 2024 University of Oxford Chancellor election.[22]

Personal life

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Recognised in the name of Bruce of Crionaich by Lord Lyon King of Arms in 1984,[1] on 3 July 2021, after 20 years together, Bruce was married to Stephen Knott at St John's Episcopal Church by the Bishop of Edinburgh.[23][24][25]

Bruce is a godfather to James Windsor, Earl of Wessex, the only son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.[26]

Arms

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Coat of arms of Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich
Adopted
Matriculated 12 December 1981[27]
Crest
A lion statant, tail extended sable, armed and langued gules.
Helm
That of a Knight
Escutcheon
Or a saltire and chief gules, on a dexter canton argent a lion rampant azure armed and langued of the second, on a sinister canton argent a bend wavy sable.[28]
Motto
Fuimus et Sumus ("We have been and we are").
Orders
That of a Knight of Justice of the Order of St John

Honours

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[29] [29]
Country Date Appointment Ribbon Post-nominal letters Notes
United Kingdom 1982 South Atlantic Medal [30] With rosette
United Kingdom 6 February 2002 Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal [30]
United Kingdom 2004 Iraq Medal [30]
United Kingdom 2008 Knight of Justice of the Order of St John KStJ [30]
United Kingdom 2010 Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE [30]
United Kingdom 6 February 2012 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal [30]
United Kingdom 6 February 2022 Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal [30]
United Kingdom 6 May 2023 King Charles III Coronation Medal [30]
United Kingdom General Service Medal [30] With "NORTHERN IRELAND" clasp
United Kingdom Volunteer Reserves Service Decoration (VR) VR [30] 10 years' service in the Territorial Army.
United Kingdom Service Medal of the Order of St John [30] With 1 silver bar
Jamaica Governor-General's Medal [29] [30] (Silver Award) [31]
Antigua & Barbuda 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal [30][31]
St Lucia 30th Anniversary of Independence Medal [29] [30][31]
Sovereign Military Order of Malta Cross of Merit with Swords Order Pro Merito Melitense [32]

As an Equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh (formerly the Earl of Wessex) since 2004, Bruce wears an aiguillette on his right shoulder while in military uniform, as well the Royal Cypher of the Duke of Edinburgh on his epaulettes.[33][31] Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London on 9 October 2012, he is entitled to use the post-nominal letters "DL" in perpetuity.[34]

See also

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Publications

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  • Days of Majesty, (co-authored with Simon Welfare); Macmillan Publications, London (1993)
  • Keepers of the Kingdom: The Ancient Offices of Britain (co-authored with Mark Cator and Julian Calder); Cassell Illustrated Publications, London (1999)
  • The Oldest: In Celebration of Britain's Living History (co-authored with Julian Calder); Cassell Publications, London (2005)
  • The Butler's Guide to Running the Home and Other Graces (foreword by Alastair Bruce and written by Stanley Ager and Fiona St. Aubyn); Biteback Publications, London (2012)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Mosley, Charles, ed. (2003). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (107 ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. pp. 1297–1298. ISBN 0-9711966-2-1.
  2. ^ "Alastair Bruce and Dame Joanna Lumley join Sky News for the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort in Ultra HD". Sky News. 16 April 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Handover of the Governor of Edinburgh Castle". www.army.mod.uk. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c How Downton minds its manners Publisher: The Daily Telegraph. Published: 16 September 2011. Retrieved: 17 May 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Interview: Alastair Bruce – Lord of the Manners The Scotsman 31 October 2011. Retrieved: 29 March 2013.
  6. ^ www.sallachyestate.co.uk
  7. ^ a b c d North campaigners honoured Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Publisher: The Northern Times. Published: 17 June 2010. Retrieved: 29 March 2013.
  8. ^ "Army to set up 'social media unit'". BBC News. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  9. ^ a b c d e Biographies – Alastair Bruce[permanent dead link] Publisher: Sky News Press Office. Retrieved: 7 October 2015.
  10. ^ "No. 58905". The London Gazette. 8 December 2008. p. 19119.
  11. ^ "No. 52590". The London Gazette. 1 July 1991. p. 10030.
  12. ^ "No. 54940". The London Gazette. 6 November 1997. p. 12485.
  13. ^ "No. 59446". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2010. p. 5.
  14. ^ "The highest ranking Army Reservist has been installed as Governor of Edinburgh Castle - Defence in the media". modmedia.blog.gov.uk. 20 October 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  15. ^ Cawthorn, Joe (4 April 2019). "Alastair Bruce appointed new Governor of Edinburgh Castle". Edinburgh News. Edinburgh. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  16. ^ "Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich OBE VR DL Governor of Edinburgh Castle". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  17. ^ "No. 63548". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 December 2021. p. 22147.
  18. ^ "No. 64301". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 January 2024. p. 1770.
  19. ^ "No. 55291". The London Gazette. 26 October 1998. p. 11553.
  20. ^ "The Royal Company of Archers". Royal Household. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Coronation details revealed in documentary". BBC News. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  22. ^ Bruce, Alastair (29 August 2024). "After 5yrs raising profile of a great Scottish role, as Governor@edinburghcastle, I now seek honour to do same, as Chancellor of Oxford University, promoting university's research & academic mission; its global community & its intent to remain world class in research & teaching".
  23. ^ Flockhart, Gary (5 July 2021). "'Attitudes change but love is constant': Major General marries partner of 20 years at same-sex wedding in Edinburgh". The Scotsman. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  24. ^ "Major General Alastair Bruce Married In Edinburgh". Forces.net. 5 July 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2021.
  25. ^ "Alastair Bruce on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  26. ^ "Our Ambassadors". hampshirescouts.org.uk. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Court of Lord Lyon - mygov.scot". www.mygov.scot.
  28. ^ Chesshyre, D. H. B.; Ailes, Adrian (1 January 2001). Heralds of Today: A Biographical List of the Officers of the College of Arms, London, 1987-2001. Illuminata. p. 54. ISBN 9780953784516.
  29. ^ a b c d No image of the ribbon was found.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n https://twitter.com/AlastairBruce_/status/1139138948322746368/photo/1. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ a b c d "Alastair Bruce on Twitter". Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  32. ^ https://twitter.com/AlastairBruce_/status/1139656661789007872. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  33. ^ "Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich OBE VR DL Governor of Edinburgh Castle". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  34. ^ "Greater London Lieutenancy | Deputy Lieutenant Commissions | the Gazette".
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Governor of Edinburgh Castle
2019 – 2024 		Succeeded by
Major General
Robert Bruce
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