The Piper to the Sovereign (), more commonly known as the King's Piper (Pìobaire an Rìgh) or Queen's Piper (Pìobaire a' Bhanrighe), is a position in the British Royal Household in which the holder of the office is responsible for playing the bagpipes at the Sovereign's request.

History The position was established in 1843 when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited John Campbell, 2nd Marquess of Breadalbane, at Taymouth Castle the previous year and discovered that the Marquess had his own personal piper. The Queen was taken with the idea of having one for herself, writing to her mother, the Dowager Duchess of Kent:

The office has been held continuously since then, apart from a brief interruption during World War II. The piper's main duty is to play at 9am for 15 minutes under the Sovereign's window, and on state occasions.

The first Piper to the Sovereign was Angus MacKay, a noted collector and publisher of piobaireachd. Every subsequent piper has been a serving non-commissioned officer and experienced pipe major (PM) from a Scottish regiment or an Irish Regiment. While the Piper is a member of the Royal Household, he retains his military rank for the duration of the secondment.

1843–1854: Angus MacKay 1854–1891: PM William Ross, 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch) 1891–1910: PM James Campbell, 42nd Highlanders (Black Watch) 1910–1941: PM Henry Forsyth, Scots Guards 1941–1945: None 1945–1965: PM Alexander MacDonald, Scots Guards 1965–1973: PM Andrew Pitkeathly, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1973–1980: PM David Caird, Royal Highland Fusiliers 1980–1995: PM Brian MacRae, Gordon Highlanders 1995–1998: PM Gordon Webster, Scots Guards 1998–2003: PM Jim Motherwell, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 2003–2006: PM Jim Stout, The Highlanders, 1st Battalion 2006–2008: PM Alastair Cuthbertson, 1st Battalion, Royal Scots 2008–2012: PM Derek Potter RVM, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards 2012–2015: PM David Rodgers, Irish Guards 2015–2019: PM Scott Methven, Royal Regiment of Scotland 2019–2021: PM Richard Grisdale RVM, Royal Regiment of Scotland 2021–2025: PM Paul Burns RVM, Royal Regiment of Scotland 2025–present: PM Andrew Reid, Royal Regiment of Scotland

See also Piper to the Queen Mother

References

External links Official Royal posts, The Queen's Piper