Harrow School flag is flying at half-mast this week in honour of Field Marshal Charles, the Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB GCVO LVO OBE DL (Newlands 1952³), who has died today, 18 September 2025, at the age of 86.

Charles Guthrie arrived at Harrow in 1952 and soon distinguished himself as a gifted sportsman and leader. He went on to serve at Head of School in 1957.

After Harrow, he attended Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Welsh Guards in 1959. His service with the Guards and the SAS took him to Aden, Malaya, Cyprus, East Africa and Northern Ireland before he rose to command at the very highest levels. He was Chief of the Defence Staff from 1997 to 2001, and in 2012 was promoted to the honorary rank of Field Marshal.

A devoted husband to Lady Guthrie, Catherine who predeceased him in 2022, he is survived by their sons David and Andrew, and two grandchildren.