Sir Charles Phipps

by Scott Mehl  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Col. The Honourable Sir Charles Phipps, c1859. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2910608

Sir Charles Phipps

Sir Charles Beaumont Phipps held several positions in the Royal Household of Queen Victoria from 1846 until 1866. He aided Sir Charles Grey in his duties as Private Secretary to Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert in 1861 until his death in 1866. Charles was born on December 27, 1801 at Mulgrave Castle in Yorkshire, the second son of Henry Phipps, 1st Earl of Mulgrave and Martha Maling. His siblings included:

  • Constantine Phipps, 1st Marquess of Normanby (1797) – married The Hon. Maria Liddell, had issue. Maria Liddell served as a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria from 1837-1841, and her sister, Georgiana Liddell, was a Maid of Honour from 1841-1845.
  • The Hon. Edmund Phipps (1808) – married Maria Campbell, had issue
  • The Hon. Augustus Phipps (1809) – married Lady Mary FitzRoy, had issue
  • Lady Lepell Charlotte Phipps – married Sir John Wallis Alexander, 4th Baronet, no issue

After his education at Harrow, Charles joined the British Army in August 1820, serving in the Scots Fusilier Guards. Over the next 34 years, he advanced in rank, retiring in 1854 with the rank of Colonel, although he had been unattached from the military for several years.

In 1832, Charles’ elder brother, Constantine was appointed Governor of Jamaica. Charles accompanied him and served as his private secretary. Three years later, he accompanied Constantine to his new appointment as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, this time serving as Steward of his household.

That same year, on June 25, 1835, Charles married Margaret Anne Bathurst, the daughter of the Right Reverend Henry Bathurst and Grace Coote. Charles and Margaret had four children:

  • Maria Phipps (1836) – married (1) Captain Frederick Sayer, had issue; (2) Lt. Col. WIlliam Chaine, had issue
  • Harriet Lepel Phipps (1841) – unmarried
  • Charles Phipps (1844) – married Susan Geddes, had issue
  • Albert Phipps (1847) – unmarried

The Phipps Family at Balmoral, August 1860. Sir Charles with (l-r) his younger son Albert, daughter Maria, wife Margaret, and daughter Harriet. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2906852

Three of Charles’ children also served in the Royal Household. His eldest daughter Maria served as Keeper of the State Apartments at Kensington Palace, and her husband served as Marshal of the Ceremonies and then Assistant Master of the Ceremonies to Queen Victoria from 1881 until 1901. His second daughter, Harriet, served as a Maid of Honour to Queen Victoria from 1862 until 1869, and then as a Woman of the Bedchamber from 1889 until 1901. And his son, Charles, served as a Page of Honour and Groom-in-Waiting to The Queen.

The Prince Consort and The Prince of Wales with guests at Buckingham Palace, April 1857. (l-r) Sir Charles Phipps, Mr. Frederick Gibbs, The Prince of Wales, The Prince Consort, Baron Christian Stockmar, Dr. Ernst Becker, Baron Ernst Stockmar. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2932751

On August 1, 1846, Charles was appointed Equerry in Ordinary to Queen Victoria, beginning his nearly 20 years of royal service. Just five months later, on January 1, 1847, he became Private Secretary to Prince Albert, serving for nearly three years. He resigned on October 10, 1849 to become Keeper of the Privy Purse, a position he held until his death in 1866. He was also appointed Treasurer and Cofferer to The Prince of Wales, and Treasurer to Prince Albert.

In December 1861, Prince Albert died at Windsor Castle. Sir Charles Grey – who had replaced Charles as private secretary to the Prince in 1849 – was named Private Secretary to The Queen. Charles assisted him in this role, although he was never officially titled as Private Secretary himself. In May 1862 he was appointed Receiver-General of the Duchy of Cornwall, and in January 1863 was appointed to the Council of the Prince of Wales. In February 1864 he was also appointed Secretary, Chamberlain, and Receiver-General and Keeper of the Signet to The Prince of Wales, in his role as Prince and Steward of Scotland.

After developing bronchitis, Sir Charles Phipps died at St. James’s Palace in London, England on February 24, 1866. He is buried in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

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Recommended Book – Serving Queen Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard