Vice-Chamberlain of the Royal Household - 'Royal Telegrams' While in the Conservative Whips Office the Conservative Party were in Government from June 1970 to February 1974 and Weatherill held various posts in the Royal Household. One of these was as Vice-Chamberlain, a post which he held from October 1971 to April 1973. The duties of the post holder included writing a daily letter of about 500 words to the Queen, giving her an account of the proceedings in the House of Commons. The letter is delivered by despatch rider in the early evening to Buckingham Palace or telegraphed direct from the House of Commons when she is at any of the other royal residences. This account was for the monarch's eyes only but Weatherill kept carbon copies usually of his hand written draft, which survive for the period November 1971 to October 1972. There are also a few copies for 1973, when presumably Weatherill performed this duty for an absent colleague. September 1971-November 1973