William Booth

Who was William Booth?

William James Booth CVO was an Anglican priest. He had been a Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal, Deputy Clerk of the Closet, Subalmoner of the Royal Almonry and former domestic chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II, appointed in 1991, was the sole full-time member of the Ecclesiastical Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom.

Booth was born in 1939 and educated at Ballymena Academy, County Antrim, and Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He was ordained a deacon of the Church of Ireland in 1962 and a priest in 1963.

Booth's first appointment was as curate in St Luke's Parish, Belfast, from 1962 to 1964. From 1965 to 1974 he was Chaplain of Cranleigh School, Surrey, and from 1974 to 1991 he was Chaplain of Westminster School.

Additional appointments included Priest Vicar of Westminster Abbey, and Priest in Ordinary to Queen Elizabeth.

Booth retired from the Chapel Royal in March 2007 after serving the Queen's household for 16 years. He was appointed CVO by the Queen on 5 March 2007. A reception to mark his retirement was held at Buckingham Palace on 26 March 2007.