Major General Alastair Bruce was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in 1980. During his time as a platoon commander he saw active service on peacekeeping operations in Northern Ireland and later in the Falklands War of 1982.

 

He left the Regular Army in 1983. In 1993, he re-joined the Army as a Reservist and went on to assume command of the Media Operations Group in 2004, having completed his period of mobilised service on Op TELIC in Iraq.  

 

In 2010, he was awarded an OBE for influencing communications doctrine during Ops TELIC & HERRICK. He has also served as Deputy Commander, 3rd UK Division. He assumed office as The Governor of Edinburgh Castle on 24 June 2019.

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In 1994, Alastair was appointed the Royal, Constitutional, and Religious Commentator for Sky News and has covered occasions including royal weddings, the Queen’s Jubilees, and the funerals of The Queen Mother, Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. He was also granted the privilege of a unique televised conversation with the Queen for his BBC1 film Coronation about the crowns and crowning of 1953.

 

As a commentator and historian, he contributes to ABC News and presents documentaries for ABC America, Sky TV, and PBS.

 

He has worked, as historical adviser, on many drama productions such as Downton Abbey, The Young Victoria, The Greatest Showman, The King’s Speech, Belgravia and The English Game. A documentary maker and presenter, his works include Manners of Downton Abbey and Days of Majesty.

 

A successful author, his works include Days of Majesty, Keepers of the Kingdom, The Oldest (exploring the oldest things in Britain) and The Queen’s Birthday Parade.

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In 1998, the Queen appointed Alastair Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary, an Officer of Arms with responsibility to support Garter King of Arms with Royal heraldry and advises the Palace and Government on how the nation should ‘celebrate’ itself during state occasions: especially with his expertise in coronation ritual and history.

In 2004 he was appointed an Equerry to Their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Forfar. Formerly Colonel, London Scottish Regiment, Alastair became Honorary Colonel, 5th Military Intelligence Battalion in July 2020 and of Tayforth Universities Officers' Training Corps in December 2021.

Alastair is actively involved with the Army Multicultural Network team and has been appointed the Army Race Advocate, playing an important role in promoting diversity and inclusion, influence and reach across the Ministry of Defence.

General Alastair is married to Stephen Knott who is the Archbishops' Secretary for Appointments, working for the Archbishops of Canterbury and York overseeing the appointment of diocesan bishops and cathedral deans in the Church of England, as well as senior lay appointments.

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The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans is delighted to have welcomed Major General Alastair Bruce as an ambassador for the charity in December 2018.