Chanticleer

Queen’s banker: my lunch with Her Majesty

Brian Hartzer was privileged to sit next to Queen Elizabeth II at lunch in the dining room of Coutts & Co in London a decade ago. It gave him insights into her curiosity and love of Australia.

Updated Sep 9, 2022 – 11.50am, first published at 11.19am

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Former Westpac chief executive Brian Hartzer has met many famous people during his three decades in business, but none can match the remarkable experience of having lunch with Queen Elizabeth II in 2011.

Hartzer was CEO of Coutts & Co, the banker to the royal family since the 18th century, when the bank’s chairman, David Douglas-Home (Earl of Home), suggested it would be nice if the Queen came in for a Christmas lunch.

Tony Boyd is the former Chanticleer columnist. He has more than 35 years' experience as a finance journalist. Connect with Tony on Twitter. Email Tony at tony.boyd@afr.com