In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves through royal circles, recently declassified MI5 documents indicate that Queen Elizabeth II remained uninformed about Anthony Blunt—a prominent art historian and member of her household—being a Soviet double agent for nearly ten years.

Blunt, who was also the surveyor of the Queen’s pictures and a key figure in the notorious Cambridge Five spy ring, confessed to his espionage activities during an interrogation in April 1964, yet the Queen was reportedly only briefed about these explosive details in 1973.

This delay raises questions about the level of transparency within the British security services and their management of sensitive information regarding national security. The MI5 files suggest that fears over Blunt’s declining health and the potential for a scandal after his passing finally compelled Edward Heath’s administration to inform the Queen through her private secretary, Martin Charteris.

Interestingly, according to MI5’s then director general, Michael Hanley, the Queen was surprisingly calm upon being informed, recalling that Blunt had long been under suspicion since the fallout of the Burgess and Maclean case in the early 1950s.

“Charteris thought that the Queen did not know and he saw no advantage in telling her about it now; it would only add to her worries,” Hanley noted.

The files reveal that even the Queen’s private secretary, Michael Adeane, was kept largely in the dark, receiving minimal information about MI5's plans regarding Blunt in 1964 before being officially briefed on his confession until 1967.

The Home Office later confirmed that the Queen had no knowledge of Blunt’s dubious security record, raising eyebrows over how closely information was managed within the royal household.

Previously, it was believed that the Queen was briefed shortly after Blunt's confession, but these documents suggest she was kept in ignorance, mirroring the experience of former Prime Minister Alec Douglas-Home, who only learned about the spy’s true identity in the late 1970s when the information was made public by Margaret Thatcher.

Blunt, who ultimately passed away in 1983, was one of the Cambridge Five—a group of Soviet spies who infiltrated the British intelligence community during the Cold War.

Their covert activities, and the protection they received from key institutions, highlight the complexities and moral dilemmas faced within British intelligence during this tense period.

The MI5 files detail the gripping confrontation between agent Arthur Martin and Blunt in 1964, where Blunt’s anxiety became evident as he was pressed about his actions.

Describing the scene, Martin recounted how Blunt expressed profound relief upon finally confessing, revealing a web of secrets concerning his involvement with fellow spies and his eventual recruitment by Soviet handlers.

With these sensational revelations coming to light, questions naturally arise about how much the monarchy and the government know about espionage activities and the extent to which national security is prioritized over the royal family’s peace of mind.

The release of these files coincides with an upcoming exhibition at the National Archives in Kew, London, spotlighting the intricate history of MI5.

Exhibits will feature insights into Blunt's confession and other remarkable narratives of espionage that have shaped modern British history.

As we peel back the layers of this historical cover-up, one has to wonder: just how deep does the rabbit hole go? This saga leaves us contemplating the delicate balance between state secrets and the right to know for those in the highest echelons of power.

Stay tuned for more revelations as this story continues to unfold!