Declassified MI5 Files Reveal Queen Elizabeth II Was Kept in the Dark About Soviet Spy Anthony Blunt for Nearly a Decade

Newly released documents show that the late monarch was officially informed of Blunt’s espionage only in 1973, years after his confession and continued role in the royal household.

Anthony Blunt, a prominent art historian and Keeper of the Queen’s Pictures, confessed in 1964 to being part of the Soviet-aligned Cambridge Five spy ring but was granted immunity from prosecution.
Despite his confession, Blunt continued his work at Buckingham Palace until his retirement in 1972, with senior officials deciding not to inform Queen Elizabeth II to avoid causing her unnecessary concern.
The Queen was formally briefed on Blunt’s espionage in 1973, reportedly reacting calmly, though some experts suggest she may have been informally aware of suspicions earlier.
The decision to keep Blunt’s double life a secret was influenced by fears of public embarrassment and political fallout, as well as the desire to maintain the Palace’s integrity.
Blunt’s identity as a Soviet spy became public in 1979 when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher exposed him in Parliament, leading to his disgrace and the stripping of his knighthood.