Robert Noel

Robert John Baptist Noel (born 15 October 1962) is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, who serves as Clarenceux King of Arms since October 2024.

Early life The younger son of barrister Gerard Eyre Wriothesley Noel, of Westington Mill, Chipping Campden, editor of the Catholic Herald, he is in remainder to his grandfather's earldom.

Robert Noel was educated at Ampleforth College, Exeter College, Oxford (MA) and St Edmund's College, Cambridge (MPhil).

Career Noel trained as a shipbroker, then as a library assistant at the College of Arms before joining the auctioneers, Christie's of London.

Appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms at the College of Arms on 27 October 1992, he succeeded Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones as Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary on 21 September 1999. On 6 April 2021, he was promoted Norroy and Ulster King of Arms in succession to Timothy Duke. In that role, he proclaimed the accession of Charles III from Hillsborough Castle, and took part in the Royal Procession at the Coronation of Charles III and Camilla in May 2023. On 28 October 2024, he was appointed Clarenceux King of Arms upon Timothy Duke's retirement.

A Freeman of the City of London, Noel is a Liveryman of the Glaziers' Company and serves as Genealogist of the Imperial Society of Knights Bachelor.

Noel was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in the 2025 Birthday Honours.

Personal life In 2013, Noel married Rowena Hale, daughter of Dennis Hale; having a son and a daughter.

Arms