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Queen Elizabeth II Not Informed Until 1973 of Anthony Blunt's 1964 Confession as Soviet Spy, Cambridge Five Member

Jan 14, 2025, 01:00 PM

Newly declassified MI5 documents have revealed that Queen Elizabeth II was not officially informed until 1973 that one of her most senior courtiers, Anthony Blunt, had confessed in 1964 to being a Soviet spy. Blunt, a distinguished art historian and the surveyor of the Queen's pictures from 1945 to 1972, admitted to having spied for the Soviet Union since the 1930s. Despite his confession, palace officials chose not to inform the Queen until 1973, citing concerns about adding to her worries. The documents also detail Blunt's involvement with the Cambridge Five spy ring, alongside other notorious spies such as Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, and Guy Burgess. Blunt's confession was secured with a promise of immunity, and he continued his royal duties until his retirement. The Queen reportedly reacted calmly to the news of Blunt's treachery when she was finally informed.