John Michael Avison Parker (Royal Household)

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Lieutenant-Commander Michael Parker, CVO, AM (1920 – 2002) was Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh 1947-1957.

The son of Captain C A Parker, CBE RAN, he was educated at Xavier College, Melbourne.

He served in the Royal Australian Navy, and then the Royal Navy 1938-1947, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Posts included 1st Lieutenant of HMS Lauderdale in 1942, and of HMS Wessex in the 27th Destroyer Flotilla in the British Pacific Fleet.

In 1947 he joined the Household of the Duke of Edinburgh as Private Secretary, initially on a part-time basis. He also became Equerry to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh. In 1952 he became full-time Private Secretary, and relinquished his post as Equerry to the Princess and Duke.

He died in his native Australia.

Parker was made a MVO in 1953, and promoted to CVO in 1957. In 1996 he was appointed AM - a Member of the Order of Australia.