The incumbent is always made a Privy Counsellor on appointment, and has customarily received a peerage upon retirement (a life peerage since 1972, although a small number have been given hereditary titles). Until 1965, peerages granted to Private Secretaries were hereditary baronies, with the exception of Lord Knollys, who was created a viscount in 1911. All Private Secretaries since the time of Lord Stamfordham have been created peers, with the exceptions of Sir Alexander Hardinge (inherited his father's barony in 1944), Sir Alan Lascelles (declined as he felt titles to be a show of self-importance) and Sir William Heseltine (who is an Australian). Private Secretaries to the Sovereign are always appointed Knights Bachelor (Kt), or knights of one of the orders of chivalry, typically the Order of The Bath or The Royal Victorian Order. The same is true for Principal Private Secretaries to other members of the Royal Household, such as The Prince of Wales. The Private Secretary is head of only one of the several operational divisions of the Royal Household. However, he or she is involved in co-ordination between various parts of the Household, and has direct control over the Press Office, the Royal Archives, and the office of the Defence Services Secretary. Liaison with the government The Private Secretary is responsible for liaising with the Cabinet Secretary, the Privy Council Office (PCO), and the Ministry of Justice's Crown Office in relation to: appointments that are formally made by the Sovereign; the scheduling of the meetings of the Privy Council; and the transmission of official documents that need to be signed by the Sovereign. Security Reporting to the Private Secretary is the role of Director for Security Liaison which was established following a recommendation of the Security Commission in 2004. The post was first held by Brigadier Jeffrey Cook, OBE MC, who was in office 2004-2008. The Private Secretary has general oversight of security policy, though the Master of the Household is also involved, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse has responsibility for the ceremonial bodyguards, such as the Gentlemen at Arms and the Yeomen of the Guard. List of Private Secretaries to the Sovereign since 1805 Deputy Private Secretaries to the Sovereign since 1972 Assistant Private Secretaries to the Sovereign since 1878 See also Canadian Secretary to the King Private secretary Notes References British monarchy Positions within the British Royal Household 1805 establishments in the United