Christopher Bray, Royal Staff Member and Page, Passes Away

Christopher Bray Passes Away After Decades of Royal Service

Christopher Bray, a devoted royal staff member who began working at Buckingham Palace at age 16, has passed away, according to the magazine HELLO!. Bray spent his entire career serving Queen Elizabeth II, eventually rising from footman to page.

Bray joined the palace household straight out of school. Over the years, he forged a close working relationship with the late monarch, sharing duties with fellow page Paul Whybrew. Their daily routine included serving meals, handling correspondence, and assisting the Queen with newspapers and messages.

Private Jokes and Gundog Names Honoring Palace Staff

The Queen and Bray shared a playful sense of humor. A former colleague revealed that the monarch frequently winked at Bray after returning from formal engagements, signaling a private moment to relax after public duties like the State Opening of Parliament.

The bond extended beyond daily palace chores. The Queen grew so fond of Bray that she named two of her gundogs Christopher and Bray in his honor. When a superior attempted to address him more formally by his last name, the monarch insisted on keeping it personal, stating, “No, that is too formal, he will remain Chris.”

Public Wit and Royal Engagements Remembered

Queen Elizabeth II was known for her witty comments, often using humor to break the tension during high-profile public appearances. During the 2021 G7 summit in Cornwall, she lightened the mood for photographers by asking then-Boris Johnson, “Are you supposed to be looking as if you’re enjoying yourself?”

Earlier, in 2013, as the world awaited news about the birth of Prince George, the Queen visited the Lake District. When a primary school pupil asked whether she preferred a boy or a girl, she replied that she did not mind, adding, “I hope it arrives soon because I’m going on holiday.”

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