Declassified MI5 documents show Queen Elizabeth II was unaware of a Soviet spy in her palace, raising questions about palace secrecy.
London: So, it turns out Queen Elizabeth II had no clue that her art adviser, Anthony Blunt, was a Soviet spy. Newly released MI5 files show that palace officials kept this from her to avoid adding to her worries.
These documents, released by Britain’s National Archives, reveal a lot about a spy ring from the 1930s linked to Cambridge University. Blunt, who worked at Buckingham Palace, was suspected for years before he finally admitted in 1964 that he had shared secrets with Soviet agents during World War II.
Interestingly, Blunt felt a “profound relief” after confessing. He was allowed to keep his job and his knighthood, while the Queen remained blissfully unaware. In 1972, her private secretary told MI5 that it was better for her not to know, as it would only worry her more.
Eventually, in 1973, they decided to inform her, fearing a media frenzy when Blunt passed away. When she finally learned the truth, she took it calmly, recalling that he had been under suspicion years earlier.
Blunt was publicly outed as a spy by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1979. He lost his knighthood but was never prosecuted and passed away in 1983.
These newly released files are part of a move towards more transparency from Britain’s intelligence services. Some will be showcased in an upcoming exhibition at the National Archives in London.
The Cambridge spies, including Blunt, have inspired countless books and shows, including the recent series “A Spy Among Friends.” It’s fascinating how these historical events continue to capture our imagination.
