Paul Wright

Paul Stephen Wright (born 26 December 1966) is a British Anglican priest and chaplain. Since 2015, he has served as Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal and Deputy Clerk of the Closet: as such, he is the only full-time clerical member of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. Prior to his royal service, he was ordained in the Church of England and served in the Royal Army Chaplains' Department. His last post before leaving the military was as Chaplain of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Early life and education Wright was born on 26 December 1966 in Winstanley, Wigan, Lancashire, England. He studied at Lancashire Polytechnic, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1988. He undertook further studies at the University of Liverpool, completing a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1996, and at Cardiff University, completing a Master of Theology (MTh) degree in 2011. He has served with the Royal Artillery, the Army Foundation College, the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, the Queen's Dragoon Guards, the 2nd Infantry Brigade. In 2003 he served in Iraq and at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe in Belgium, while in 2005 he served in Bosnia and Kosovo as Senior Chaplain of the European Union Force.

On 19 January 2015, he was commissioned in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a chaplain with the rank of reverend (wing commander). In 2018, he was awarded the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military), awarded for 15 years' service in the British Army.

Royal service In January 2015, Wright was installed as Sub-Dean of the Chapel Royal during a service at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace, in succession to Bill Scott. As Sub-Dean, he is also Deputy Clerk of the Closet, Sub-Almoner, and Domestic Chaplain to the late Queen, Elizabeth II and now her son, Charles III. He took part in the Royal procession at the 2023 Coronation.

Writings In 2009, Wright wrote Funny Little Wars: Games of War in the Garden With Classic Toy Soldiers In The Spirit of Mr. H G Wells. In 2022, a revised edition was published, which added new content to complement the existing rules.

Personal life In 2006, Wright married his second wife, Georgina Elisabeth Peek. She is a trained singer. Wright has four children: two sons and two daughters.