Michael Parker (courtier)

Lieutenant-Commander John Michael Avison Parker CVO AM (1920 - 2001) was an officer of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), and served as Private Secretary to the Duke of Edinburgh between 1947 and 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, between 1938 and 1947, reaching the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. Posts during this time included First Lieutenant of HMS Lauderdale in 1942, then of HMS Wessex in the 27th Destroyer Flotilla of 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 Australia.^[1]

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.

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