BBC broadcaster and royal author Brian Hoey has died at the age of 92. The royal expert penned 36 books about the Royal Family during his career.
Career Highlights and Royal Coverage
He was one of the TV commentators at King Charles' wedding to Princess Diana in 1981, and 16 years later he covered Diana's funeral in 1997. Brian conducted various TV interviews with the royals, including King Charles when he was still Prince of Wales, Prince Philip, Princess Diana and Princess Anne.
Brian died in Cardiff on September 4, 2026, though news of his death has only just made public. Brian started out as the first presenter on BBC Wales Today in 1962.
Witness to Aberfan Disaster
He witnessed Queen Elizabeth II break down in tears at the site of the Aberfan disaster in 1966. He described his success at the scene as "being in the right place at the right time". The tragedy saw a colliery spoil tip collapse on a mountain slope above the Welsh village of Aberfan, engulfing a school and a row of houses. Sadly 144 people died in the disaster, 116 of whom were children.
Discussing the horror in 2024, he said: "I could see a steady stream of miners coming off the early morning shift. There was no talking. Without any instruction, they started picking through the wreckage."
Obituary and Tributes
Brian's obituary notice read: "Brian Hoey. Husband of Diana. Father of Laurence, Rebecca and Jessica. Grandfather of Charles, Lucinda, Theodore, Rose and Phoebe. The funeral has been held privately at his request."
Tributes have poured in for Brian, with journalist Kate Mansey writing: "RIP Brian Hoey, a much-respected royal commentator and journalist who was the first reporter on the scene when the Aberfan disaster happened." A second said: "The gentleman was simply a class act," somebody else echoed. A third wrote: "Farewell to distinguished royal biographer Brian Hoey." Another praised Brian as "always affable", and a fifth penned on X: "Oh Brian Hoey. Very sad. His Mountbatten book was excellent; unlike that dreadful Andrew Lownie, it was not gossip-strewn. May God rest his soul."
