The Prince of Wales has rewarded one of his wife’s most trusted former members of staff with a rare mark of honour.
Mother-of-two Rebecca Priestly, who was known by her maiden name of Deacon when she worked as Catherine’s private secretary, has been appointed as an ‘Extra Equerry’ to His Royal Highness, it can be revealed.
And yesterday she conducted her first official engagement on his behalf by representing the heir to the throne at a memorial ceremony in Hertfordshire for Alan Rind, a property developer and philanthropist. It was recorded in the official Court Circular.
An Extra Equerry is personal attendant to the Royal Household. It is not generally a full-time role but someone who is asked to step in and represent a member of the Royal Family when required.
Kate’s former private secretary, Rebecca Priestley, is made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order by Prince William
Rebecca chats to Prince William and Andrew Tucker, the prince’s polo manager at Coworth Park in 2012
It is only bestowed on the most trusted of former staff or friends and is a sign of how much William and Kate thought of the softly-spoken and charming ‘Becca’, as she was known to them.
Newcastle University-educated Mrs Priestly was first appointed to the Royal Household in 2007, working for Prince Harry by supporting his official programme, both domestically and internationally, and managing communications for his Africa based charity, Sentebale.
She was then appointed Assistant Private Secretary to the then Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry. This followed her work helping to organise William and Kate’s wedding.
Rebecca chats to William and Kate in the velodrome on the first day of the London 2012 Olympics
Rebecca carries flowers and a stuffed kangaroo as Catherine does a walkabout in Brisbane in 2014
In 2012 the calm and unflappable staffer was promoted to the post of Private Secretary to The Duchess of Cambridge.
She attracted attention in her role collecting and carrying gifts and posies for the duchess – and gained a fandom in her own right, to the extent that her fashion choices were poured over.
She even gave rise to the phenomena ‘What Rebecca Wore’ – a play on the words of a popular social media handle, ‘What Kate Wore’ (which focused on the young royal’s sell-out fashion choices.)
Rebecca Priestly, former Private Secretary to Catherine, stands alongside Miguel Head, former Private Secretary to Prince William
Kate and Rebecca together in Anglesey in 2013
But ‘Becca’ was so much more than a ‘Girl Friday’, she was effectively Kate’s right-hand woman and during her six years with the duchess, was responsible for the overall strategic narrative and delivery of all her public work, and the establishment and growth of her office at Kensington Palace.
She left in 2018 and now specialises as a mentor and executive coach in ‘high profile, high stakes professional and family systems’.
‘She offers strategic thinking and empathetic support at critical times of change and personal development,’ her biography reads, making her the perfect sounding board for the Prince and Princess of Wales at this new stage in their lives.
One source told the Mail: ‘Becca is trustworthy and loyal. She will always have your back. And those are qualities highly valued by the prince and princess.’
Mrs Priestly is also a Trustee for The Forward Trust, charity that empowers people to break the cycles of addiction or crime – an organisation of which Kate is now patron.
Rebecca has already been honoured as a member of the Royal Victorian Order. Now she is an Extra Equerry, tasked with representing her former royal employers from time to time
She married her husband, Adam, in 2017 in the Chapel Royal at St James’ Palace and in the same year was awarded the Royal Victorian Order at Buckingham Palace by Prince William. The honour is for people who have served Her Majesty or the monarchy personally.
Kensington Palace said she was appointed an Extra Equerry to the prince last year.
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