William Nye

Who is William Nye?

William Nye was appointed Principal Private Secretary to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, effective 12 September 2011.

Nye was educated at Christ's Hospital, Horsham, and earned a BA in economics from Cambridge University as well as an MA in economics from Yale University. After university, he joined the British Civil Service, and came to hold a number of senior appointments at the Home Office and the Treasury, his last being that of Director in the National Security Secretariat at the Cabinet Office.

Nye succeeded Sir Michael Peat, whose resignation as Principal Private Secretary to Their Royal Highnesses was announced on 24 January 2011. In November of that year, it was reported that Nye would not be given the use of the Kensington Palace apartment that Peat vacated, nor would Nye be provided grace-and-favour housing of any kind.

Nye "has overall responsibility for the Prince’s household and also keeps an eye on the running of the Duchy of Cornwall, his private estate, and his residences at Highgrove and Birkhall." Nye also serves as a trustee of The Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation.