Tommy Lascelles, as he was known, was christened Alan. His uncle was 5th Earl of Harewood, whose son married George V's daughter, the Princess Royal. Won MC during WWI, served briefly in India, where he met his future wife Joan, the daughter of the Viceroy. In the 1920s served as asst private secretary to Edward, Prince of Wales, when he resigned, despairing of his character. Served in Canada as private secretary to the Governor-General, returned to London to become asst private secretary to George V. Served Edward VIII as asst private secretary, then held the same post for George VI, becoming Private Secretary in 1943. On George VI's death he continued in the same role for Queen Elizabeth until the Coronation.