Declassified documents have revealed that Queen Elizabeth II was kept in the dark about the traitorous activities of Anthony Blunt, a former royal art advisor who was exposed as a Soviet spy in the 1960s.
Blunt, who served as the Surveyor of the Queen’s Pictures and was a prominent art historian, was revealed to be a member of the Cambridge Five spy ring, a group of British spies who passed classified information to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The declassified documents show that the Queen was not informed about Blunt’s treachery until after his exposure in 1964. The documents reveal that the decision to keep the Queen in the dark was made by senior officials in the British government, who believed that informing her could damage the monarchy’s reputation.
Blunt’s betrayal came as a shock to many in the British establishment, as he was a respected figure in the art world and had close ties to the royal family. The revelation of his espionage activities caused a scandal and led to his disgrace and removal from his position as the Queen’s art advisor.
The declassified documents also shed light on the government’s handling of the Blunt affair, revealing that officials were concerned about the potential fallout from his exposure and took steps to downplay his role in the spy ring.
The revelation of the Queen’s ignorance about Blunt’s activities has raised questions about the level of transparency within the royal household and the extent to which the monarch is kept informed about sensitive matters. Critics have argued that the decision to withhold information from the Queen was a disservice to her and undermined her ability to effectively carry out her duties as head of state.
The declassified documents provide a fascinating insight into a dark chapter of British history and highlight the complex relationship between the monarchy and the government. They also serve as a reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in all aspects of government, even when it involves sensitive and potentially damaging information.