Sir John Riddell, 13th Baronet

Sir John Charles Buchanan Riddell, 13th Baronet, (3 January 1934 – 24 July 2010) was Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales from 1985 to 1990. He was Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland from 2000 to 2009.

Early life Riddell was born at Hepple, Northumberland. He succeeded to the Baronetcy of Riddell as an infant, on the death of his father, Sir Walter Robert Buchanan Riddell, 12th Baronet, in 1934. The family seat at Whitefield House, Hepple was bought by his ancestor Sir John Buchanan Riddell (1796–1822) from the Duke of Portland in 1804.

Riddell was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, (deputy chairman from 1992). He was trustee of The Frank Buttle Trust from 1981 to 1987, a member of the Bloomsbury District Health Authority from 1982 to 1985, and deputy chairman of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) from 1981 to 1985. He became an executive director of MC Securities Ltd in 1995. He was an Extra Equerry from 1990 until his death.

Riddell was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1990 on his retirement as Private Secretary. He was made a Knight of the Venerable Order of Saint John in 2002. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland in 1990 and became Lord Lieutenant in 2000, stepping down in 2009.

Personal life In 1969 he married Sarah, daughter of Baron Richardson of Duntisbourne, who bore him three sons between 1974 and 1982, including:

Sir Walter John Buchanan Riddell, 14th Baronet (born 1974)

Riddell died on 24 July 2010, at Rothbury Community Hospital, Northumberland, aged 76. His eldest son Walter John Buchanan Riddell inherited the baronetcy.