BBC Radio 4 LW

Desert Island Discs

Castaway guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Eight tracks, a book and a luxury: what would you take to a desert island? Guests share the soundtrack of their lives.

Desert Island Discs: Lord Charteris

09/09/1990

Lord Charteris

BBC Radio 4 - Desert Island Discs, Lord Charteris

Sue Lawley's castaway is former private secretary to the Queen Lord Charteris

Sue Lawley's castaway is former private secretary to the Queen Lord Charteris.

The castaway in this week's Desert Island Discs is a pillar of the British Establishment, Lord Charteris of Amisfield.

Educated at Eton and Sandhurst, he became, at the age of 36, Private Secretary to the young Princess Elizabeth, whom he was to serve for nearly 30 years, retiring only after when, as Queen Elizabeth the Second, she celebrated her Silver Jubilee. After leaving the royal household, he went back to Eton, where he has been Provost for the last 12 years. Among many things, Lord Charteris will be talking to Sue Lawley about the job of Private Secretary to the Queen, and how the Eton of today differs from the Eton he attended as a schoolboy some 50 years ago.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs] 

Favourite track: Emperor Concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven
Book: War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Luxury: Set of wood-carving tools

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics, as broadcast on BBC Radio 4 from 1946 – 2004.

Alistair Cooke’s weekly talks on American life, history and politics. Over 900 programmes, as broadcast from 1946 – 2004.

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke: Chernobyl and the Star Wars defence program

Chernobyl and the Star Wars defence program

BBC Radio 4 - Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, Chernobyl and the Star Wars defence program

What can the accident at Chernobyl teach us about the future for nuclear weapons?

The lessons learned from Chernobyl, the hesitation in Congress over the Star Wars defence program, and the motivations of American doctors conducting clinical trials abroad.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Letter from America by Alistair Cooke

Chernobyl and the Star Wars defence program

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4

About this data