Amanda Thirsk
Former private secretary of Prince Andrew
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amanda Jane Thirsk LVO (born 4 July 1965) is a British courtier and business executive who served as private secretary to Prince Andrew, Duke of York from 2012 to 2020.[1] As of 2024, she works in business development at the Chinese e-commerce company JD.com.[2]
- Private secretary to Prince Andrew, Duke of York
- Chief executive of Pitch@Palace
Amanda Thirsk | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 July 1965 |
| Education | St Paul's Girls' School |
| Alma mater | Selwyn College, Cambridge |
| Known for |
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Early life
She was educated at St Paul's Girls' School and completed a law degree at Selwyn College, Cambridge in 1987.[3]
Royal Household
Thirsk joined the royal household in 2004, as Prince Andrew's office controller.[4] In this role she was responsible for his public and private finances.[5] She became his private secretary in 2012.[6]
Newsnight interview
Thirsk was instrumental in organising Prince Andrew's infamous 2019 Newsnight interview,[7] which received widespread negative reaction, and was described as "disastrous".[8][9][10] Andrew withdrew from royal duties following the interview, and Thirsk was moved from the role of private secretary, to become chief executive of Pitch@Palace.[7]
She was portrayed by Keeley Hawes in the 2024 film Scoop,[11][12] and by Joanna Scanlan in the 2024 drama A Very Royal Scandal.[13]
Pitch@Palace
The Pitch@Palace initiative was founded by Prince Andrew in 2014 to support entrepreneurs by amplifying and accelerating their business ideas. Pitch@Palace Global Limited was founded in February 2017,[14] and held in the name of Thirsk.[15] Thirsk became chief executive of Pitch@Palace in November 2019, following Andrew's withdrawal from royal duties.[7] Thirsk resigned as chief executive of Pitch@Palace in April 2020,[16] and by early 2021, ownership was transferred to Knox House Trustees (UK) Limited, a company ultimately owned by Doug Barrowman.[15]
Personal life
Honours
She was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2013 Birthday Honours.[17]