Norfolk royal pageant master Bruno Peek dies at age of 75

Bruno Peek, 75 and who organised some of Britain’s biggest royal celebrations, died on Sunday after a long period of ill health.

Queen Elizabeth II, with Bruno Peek, symbolically leads the lighting of the principal Jubilee beacon at Windsor Castle. Image: PA (Image: PA)

He had spent more than 40 years organising national and royal events, most notably the lighting of beacons for the British monarchy across the UK and around the world.

He retired as pageant master in 2024, just two years after being honoured as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order - an award in the personal gift of the King - in recognition of his work organising the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee beacons project, which saw thousands of celebratory beacons lit around the world.

Bruno Peek behind Queen Elizabeth II the moment she began the principal lighting of the beacons for the Platinum Jubilee. Image: PA (Image: PA)

Mr Peek was previously awarded an MVO and an LVO in the Royal Victorian Order and an OBE for planning and coordinating events for the royal family, including projects for the Queen’s Golden and Diamond jubilees.

He also held the OPR order of merit from Poland.

Bruno Peek with Queen Elizabeth II and members of the Royal Family. Image: Bruno Peek (Image: Bruno Peek)

His career began with organising coastal beacons for the English Tourist Board to celebrate maritime England.

Mr Peek went on to co-ordinate beacon lightings for the Queen’s Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees.

On December 31, 1999, he presented the late Queen with a ceremonial torch to light the National Beacon on the River Thames, marking the start of Britain’s millennium celebrations.

He was born in King’s Lynn to Polish parents but was abandoned at 14-months-old, along with his identical twin brother George, on the steps of King’s Lynn police station.

The brothers were taken to a children’s home in Lowestoft and later adopted aged four by Gorleston couple Mildred and Leslie Peek.

Despite leaving school without qualifications, Mr Peek was determined to make a difference in his community.

While working as a welder, he was asked to help revive the Yarmouth Carnival and organised a committee that delivered a procession of more than 100 floats in 1981.

That same year, he proposed and organised a chain of 90 coastal beacons as part of an event called Operation Sea Fire.

From there, Mr Peek never looked back, as events grew bigger and bigger until his beacons were circling the world.

Having previously lived in Carlton Colville, Lowestoft Mr Peek is survived by his wife Moira.

He lived in Gorleston.