PEOPLE
CANON DONALD GRAY, FORMER CHAPLAIN TO THE QUEEN In the heart of Stamford, tucked away in a quiet little mews, lives a former Chaplain to the Queen. Harjit Gammon went along to discuss the time Canon Donald Gray spent ministering to the Queen’s spiritual needs over a period spanning over 20 years
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s one might expect of a clergyman, it seems to me that Gray is an embodiment of what Jeremy Paxman described in his book ‘The English’ as “the virtues of the Church, its gentleness, tolerance and compassion”. When I arrive he welcomes me in warmly, and is naturally attentive. As he ushers me into the cosy house I notice a tray laid with two cups and a plate of shortbread in preparation for our chat. After a tour of the house, which is generously endowed with pictures of Gray variously meeting the Pope, Nelson Mandela or posing with numerous Speakers of the House of Commons, he busies himself making tea for us before settling me down in a comfy chair and fixing me up with a side table for my cup. This is a man content with the satisfaction of having led a life which he has clearly relished and enjoyed. In particular I sense a deep and ongoing affinity with the city and urban life. When I ask what brought his late wife Joyce and him to Stamford he lets out a deep chuckle and says “We chose it because it is only a couple of hours to London”. He goes on to tell me, with evident pleasure, that he still visits London at least once a month, if not more often not least because his
beloved wife is at rest there. Gray was appointed honorary Chaplain to the Queen in 1974-1977 whilst Rector of Liverpool, for services to the Territorial Army, before being promoted to Chaplain to the Queen in 1982. A post he held for 18 years until 2000. Gray explains that the position of Royal Chaplain is a very ancient one. The College of Chaplains consists of 36 members. There are 36 members he adds to represent the 36 weeks a year when there are services to be held in St James’s Palace. The Chaplains preach according to a Rota of Waits in the Chapels Royal. During this period Gray left Liverpool to become a Canon (the Board of Directors) at Westminster Abbey (1987-1998), or to call it by its correct name The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Westminster. Westminster is unusual amongst churches in England in being a ‘Royal Peculiar’. This means it is under the jurisdiction of the crown and not within any diocese. During this time Canon Gray, as a member of the royal household was frequently in the company of the Queen. He recalls, “She was often in and out of Westminster”. I ask him what she is really like. “She is very, very pleasant.
Very sharp, and very interested in the work of the church as a whole. She is very obviously deeply Christian”. He goes on to say, “Her concern was not how she was prayed for but that she was prayed for”. The author of the ‘Book of Prayers by Royalty for Royalty’, among other books, Canon Gray recounts receiving a telephone call in 2000 at his home in Stamford. “This is Buckingham Palace”, the voice announced. Could he bring her a copy of his book? “So I put on my coat and took it. I had a 20 minute private audience”. As a former member of the Royal Household, in his capacity as the Queen’s Chaplain, Canon Gray had frequently been in her company. He attended around 20 garden parties at the palace. One was expected to be sociable and put guests at ease at the parties he tells me. “One of the things I enjoyed enormously was the friendships I made in the House of Commons (he was Chaplain to two of the Speakers of the House). I served with Bernard Weatherill (known as Jack) and Betty Boothroyd, with whom I’m still in touch”. As I leave he reflects a little wistfully, “The job came to an end, and I enjoyed every minute of it”. STAMFORD Living JUNE 2012
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