Coroner of the Queen's Household

The Coroner of the King's/Queen's Household is an officer of the Medical Household of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

History

The first was appointed in 1887 by virtue of the Coroners Act of that year, section 29; to replace the former Coroner of the Verge. Nowadays, under section 29 of the Coroners Act 1988 his or her function is to investigate the death of anyone whose body is lying "within the limits of any of the Queen's palaces; or within the limits of any other house where Her Majesty is then residing." He is appointed by the Lord Steward of the Royal Household.

If he empanels a jury to investigate the death, all members of the jury have to be chosen from among the members of the Royal Household. This has led to some controversy concerning the independence of the jury in the 2006 second inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

There is usually also a deputy coroner, appointed by the coroner and the Lord Steward.

Section 46 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 provides for the abolition of the office of Coroner of the Queen's Household.^[1]

List of Coroners of the King's/Queen's Household

• Dr Michael Burgess 2002–
• Dr John Burton, CBE MVO MB BS MRCS LRCP c.1987–2002
• Lieutenant-Colonel Dr G McEwan, MB ChB RAMC c.1984 c.1986
• Dr AG Davies, MB BS MRCS LRCP 1959–1983
• Dr William Bentley Purchase, CBE MC c.1956
• Lieutenant-Colonel Dr WH McCarthy, MVO DSO MC MRCS LRCP 1934–1955

List of Deputy Coroners

• Baroness Butler-Sloss GBE PC
• Dr Michael Burgess 1991–2002
• Lieutenant-Colonel GLB Thurston, DCh FRCP FRCGP MRCS Barrister 1964–1980
• Derek Wheatley 1959–1964

References

1. ^ Coroners and Justice Act 2009, section 46

Bibliography

• Official text of the Coroners Act 1988 (c. 13) as amended and in force today within the United Kingdom, from the UK Statute Law Database