Royal Press Secretary Dies

20 October 2009

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth has been "saddened" by the death of her former press secretary.

Michael Shea - who was also a diplomat and author - died in his Edinburgh home aged 71.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said the 83-year-old monarch has been informed of the death, and was upset by the news.

Michael was appointed press secretary to Elizabeth in 1978 and served during the courtship and marriage of Prince Charles and Princess Diana and the incident that saw an intruder break into the palace and sit on the queen's bed.

He travelled to 65 countries during his royal service, which ended in 1987 when he stepped down to become chairman of the Royal Lyceum Theatre and director of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

He also wrote several fiction and non-fiction books including 'Sonntag', 'Spin Doctor', 'The British Ambassador' and 'From the Sidelines'.

He is survived by his wife Mona and two daughters.

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