Latest Press Release
Two senior appointments in The Prince of Wales's Household
7th September 2005
Mr Kevin Knott, currently Treasurer to The Prince of Wales, has been appointed to the new post of Master of The Prince of Wales’s Household, where his responsibilities will include overall supervision of His Royal Highness’s programme and diary, residences, security matters, personal and domestic staff, official and private entertaining and various other issues, including the Home Farm at Highgrove.
Mr Knott starts his new role with immediate effect, and a new Treasurer will be appointed as soon as possible. The Prince of Wales also appointed today Mrs Manon Williams as Assistant Private Secretary, with, in particular, responsibility for His Royal Highness’s interests in Wales and in architectural, heritage and other built environment matters.
She will take over from Mr Paul Kefford, whose extended period of secondment from the Cabinet Office finishes at the end of the year.
Mrs Williams joins the office from the BBC - where she is currently Head of Public Policy for Nations and Regions - on December 1, and will work alongside the Deputy Private Secretary, Miss Elizabeth Buchanan, and the two other Assistant Private Secretaries, Mr Mark Leishman and Mr James Kidner.
Together, the Private Secretaries help compile The Prince of Wales’s diary, organise his UK and overseas visits, arrange briefing sessions, receptions and other functions, coordinate research and briefing to support his work, and liaise with and oversee His Royal Highness’s charities.
Sir Michael Peat, Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales, said today: “We mentioned in the Annual Review that there would be one or two appointments during the year to strengthen further the management team in The Prince of Wales’s Office, and The Prince of Wales is delighted that Kevin Knott is to be his first Master of the Household and that Manon Williams is returning to the Office as Assistant Private Secretary.
“These appointments will help ensure that we can provide His Royal Highness with the best possible support for his wide range of royal duties, charitable activities and other work.”