Royal Librarian

The office of Royal Librarian in the Royal Collection Department of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom is responsible for the care and maintenance of the royal collection of books and manuscripts owned by the Sovereign in an official capacity — as distinct from those owned privately and displayed at Sandringham House and Balmoral Castle and elsewhere.

Although a Librarian was always required for any sizeable royal collection of books, the present office dates from 1836, when the then existing collections of books at Windsor Castle were consolidated. The office was admitted to the Royal Household only late in the nineteenth century. John Glover, appointed in 1836, held office until 1860. Two Librarians dominated much of the twentieth century. They were Sir Owen Morshead, GCVO (1926–1958) and Sir Robin Mackworth-Young, GCVO (1958–1985).

The Librarian now has oversight of the Royal Library, Windsor, and the Print Room. The latter contains the royal collections of drawings and engravings. The Librarian organises exhibitions and loans, recommends purchases, and advises on publications on the royal library, print room and on the history of Windsor Castle.

The current Librarian is Jane Austin, the Hon. Lady Roberts, CVO (Curator of the Print Room), appointed in 2002. Prior to the appointment of Lady Roberts the recent Librarians were often not professional librarians, and relied upon the support of the Curator of the Print Room, and the Bibliographer of the Royal Library, for professional advice with respect to their respective collections. The last non-professional Librarian was Oliver Everett, CVO.