Piper to the Sovereign

In 1842, Queen Victoria with her husband Albert, took anot be played twice.
trip to Taymouth Castle. She heard John BanThe Queen's Piper, as he is sometimes called,
MacKenzie playing the bagpipes and was delighted.coordinates twelve pipers to play in the dining room for
She sent a letter to her mother describing the eventofficial state banquets. He plays at the Queen's dinner
and told her that she had decided to have a piper. Thetable each evening at Balmoral, Holyroodhouse and
Marquis of Breadalbane recommended AngusWindsor.
MacKay as the Piper for the Queen. MacKayTo date, there have been 12 Piper's to the Sovereign.
accepted the job and moved to London where heThe position used to be held until the Piper's death;
became the first Piper to the Sovereign.however this is no longer the case. In 1965, the post of
Early on, the Piper to the Sovereign had several duties,Piper to the Sovereign was removed from the Civil
including serving as footman in the garden, waiting atList, and has since been given to a serving soldier and
dinner, greeting visitors and escorting them, and takingexperienced army Pipe Major. The Piper would
orders from the Sergeant Footman. Now, thebecome a Master of the Household's Department at
Sovereign's Piper plays every weekday morning atBuckingham Palace and retain his position until his
9:00am outside the Queen's window when she is atenlistment expires (maximum of 22 years). The Queen
Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, the Palace ofpersonally interviews Pipers for the position. The
Holyroodhouse, and Balmoral. He also plays at specialcurrent Piper to the Sovereign is PM Alistair
events and accompanies the Queen to variousCuthbertson. He was Pipe Major to the 1st Battalion
audiences. While at Balmoral during the summer, thethe Royal Scots when he took this position.
Queen has an unofficial rule that the same tunes can