Background
Richard Aylard was born on 10 April 1952 in Street Pancras, London, and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Barnet.
captain navy officer private secretary commander
Richard Aylard was born on 10 April 1952 in Street Pancras, London, and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Barnet.
Richard Aylard was born on 10 April 1952 in Street Pancras, London, and educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Barnet. He studied at the University of Reading, graduating with a Bachelor of Science(Honours) in Applied Zoology with Mathematics, and at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management.
From 1991-1996 he was Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales. Aylard joined the Supply and Secretariat Branch of the in 1972. He served on HMS Shavington, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Fox between 1974 and 1977, being promoted to Lieutenant from 16 November 1975.
From 1977 to 1979 he was on the staff of FOSM, and 1979-1981 was Flag Lieutenant to Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic).
He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander 16 November 1983 and between 1984—1985, was Supply Officer on HMS Brazen, where he served alongside Prince Andrew. In November 1985 he was appointed Equerry to Diana Princess of Wales, an office he held until 1988.
He became a Commander 30 June 1987 and from 31 May to 30 September 1988, was temporary Assistant Private Secretary to the Princess. Aylard left the in July 1989, and from May 1989 to 1991, was Assistant Private Secretary and Comptroller to the Prince and Princess of Wales.
From May 1991 until his retirement in 1996, he was Private Secretary and Treasurer to the Prince of Wales.
He remains an Extra Equerry to the Prince of Wales. He was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1994. From 1996 to 2002, Aylard was a consultant on environmental issues and public affairs at Burson-Marsteller.
In 2002, he joined Thames Water as Corporate Responsibility Director, became their External Affairs and Sustainability Director is now a Director and Special Advisor to the Chief Executive.