LONDON: A former senior royal aide Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton has offered a rare glimpse into life inside the British royal family, describing the late Queen Mother as resilient and saying the Princess of Wales shares many of her defining qualities.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who served as private secretary to Princes William and Harry for a decade and later helped Catherine, Princess of Wales, adjust to royal life, reflected on his years working with the family in a recent interview.
Before joining the royal household, Lowther-Pinkerton served as an equerry to the Queen Mother and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his role in efforts to dismantle a Colombian drug cartel.
Recalling his time with the Queen Mother, he said one of his regular duties was preparing her signature pre-dinner martini.
"The recipe was seven parts gin to one part vermouth," he said, adding that only a small amount of vermouth was used.
He also described the Queen Mother as a gracious hostess who would often ask for extra ice when her drink was refilled, a habit he said allowed her guests to enjoy themselves while she remained composed.
Lowther-Pinkerton said their conversations frequently focused on World War II, when the Queen Mother became a symbol of British resilience.
He noted that her reputation was underscored by Adolf Hitler's reported description of her as "the most dangerous woman in Europe."
Reflecting on the Princess of Wales, Lowther-Pinkerton said she reminds him of the Queen Mother because of her understated nature, strong sense of duty and inner strength.
He also recalled the Queen Mother's playful personality, including an occasion when she encouraged him to flick peas into the bowl of a dining-room chandelier.
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Looking back on his decade working with Princes William and Harry, Lowther-Pinkerton said it was a privilege to help guide the brothers through some of the most significant years of their lives.
