Alexander Hardinge, 2nd Baron Hardinge Of Penshurst

Major Alexander Henry Louis Hardinge, 2nd Baron Hardinge of Penshurst, was born on 17 May 1894. He was the son of Charles Hardinge, who was created Baron Hardinge of Penshurst in 1910 and served as Viceroy of India from 1910 to 1916. Hardinge was educated at Harrow School and Trinity College, Cambridge.

He received a commission in the Grenadier Guards and served in the First World War, attaining the rank of Lieutenant and being awarded the Military Cross. Between 1915 and 1916, he served as Aide-de-Camp to his father, the Viceroy of India.

In 1920, Hardinge became Assistant Private Secretary to King George V. He was promoted to the rank of Captain during this period. On 8 February 1921, he married Helen Gascoyne-Cecil, the daughter of Lord Edward Gascoyne-Cecil. The couple had three children. Hardinge was promoted to Major in 1929. He continued serving as Assistant Private Secretary until the death of George V in January 1936.

Following the accession of Edward VIII in 1936, Hardinge was promoted to Private Secretary to the new monarch. During this tenure, he played a role in negotiations between Edward VIII and the British government, which eventually led to the king's abdication in December 1936. Hardinge maintained his role under King George VI until his early retirement in 1943. His successor as Private Secretary was Alan Lascelles, Assistant Private Secretary, who effectively effected Hardinge's resignation.

Hardinge’s professional loyalty was primarily to the constitutional framework of the monarchy and Parliament, rather than to the individual monarch. This is exemplified by a warning letter he sent to Edward VIII on 13 November 1936, which indicated prior consultation with Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin and reflected concerns about Edward’s relationship with Wallis Simpson, which was opposed by the government. The letter exemplifies Hardinge’s stance on constitutional propriety and his commitment to the institution of the monarchy.

Major Hardinge died on 29 May 1960. His title was inherited by his son, George Hardinge. His wife, Helen Gascoyne-Cecil, authored a biography titled "Loyal to Three Kings," published by William Kimber in London in 1967.