It is with great sadness that I advise members of our Order of the passing of The Rt Hon the Lord Vestey GCVO GCStJ DL. Lord Vestey was Lord Prior of our Most Venerable Order from 1991 until 2002, and one of our longest serving Lords Prior.
Lord Vestey had a distinguished career across a broad spectrum of professional and community interests. He was a highly respected and valued member of the Royal Household, holding the role of Master of the Horse to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from 1999 until 2018. Her Majesty recognised Lord Vestey’s exceptional contribution by appointing him as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order in 2018, having previously been appointed Knight of the same Order in 2009.
Lord Vestey was a distinguished and much-loved member of the family of the Order of St John, having served as Chancellor of the Order from 1988 until his appointment as Lord Prior. He led the transition from the Grand Priory to the establishment of the Priory of England and the Islands and of our Grand Council with the governance of the Order, involving all of the Priories across the world. Lord Vestey was a great leader of the Order and his ever-present enthusiasm for all manner of things that St John did was inspiring to all those he met. So many St John people from across our many Establishments still fondly recount meetings with him and the lasting positive and inspiring impression he left on them.
Lord Vestey was also a long-time supporter of the St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem and served for many years as Patron of the St John Eye Hospital Group. He remained in this position until the time of his passing. His constant encouragement of and enthusiasm for the work of the Hospital and its people was a constant source of inspiration, strength and support to Trustees and all those who worked for or volunteered for the Hospital.
Lord Vestey leaves a lasting legacy of devotion and dedication to our Order, the work of St John and the importance of what we do to make the world a better place through our work.
Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum.
The Vestey family has now suffered the tragedy of losing Lord Vestey and Lady (Celia) Vestey within months of each other. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they grieve these deep personal losses. May he and Lady Vestey Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.
Professor Mark Compton AM GCStJ
Lord Prior