Penny Mordaunt and Boris Johnson lead tributes to ‘dedicated and devoted’ Christopher Meyer after Britain’s colourful former ambassador to the US died in the French Alps aged 78 while watching a film with his wife
- Baroness Meyer heard her husband drop his iPad and realised he had fallen over
- He was pronounced dead at the scene despite paramedics attending to him
- A family friend said his death was a ‘huge shock’ as he had tweeted hours before
Boris Johnson and Penny Mourdant have led the tributes pouring in for Sir Christopher Meyer after the former ambassador to the US died from a massive stroke aged 78 yesterday.
The ‘colourful’ and ‘dedicated’ career diplomat had been watching a film with his wife Baroness Catherine Meyer, 69, at their second home in the village of Megeve in the French Alps, when tragedy struck.
His wife of 25 years heard him drop his iPad and realised he had fallen ill, before raising the alarm.
Paramedics rushed to the home and battled for around 50 minutes to save Sir Christopher’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, in what a family friend described as a ‘huge shock’.
Outgoing prime minister Mr Johnson said today that he was ‘saddened’ to hear of his death, adding in a tweet: ‘He was a dedicated public servant throughout his career and devoted his life to international diplomacy.
‘My thoughts are with his wife Catherine and his loved ones.’
That sentiment has been shared with some of Britain’s leading political figures.
Sir Christopher Meyer (pictured) had been watching a film with his wife Baroness Catherine Meyer, 69, at their second home in the village of Megeve in the French Alps, when tragedy struck
Paramedics rushed to the home and battled for around 50 minutes to save Sir Christopher’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, in what a family friend described as a ‘huge shock’. (Pictured: Sir Christopher with former US President George W Bush)
Boris Johnson remembered Sir Christopher as a ‘dedicated public servant’ in a tribute tweet on Friday
His wife of 25 years (pictured together in 2013) heard him drop his iPad and realised he had fallen ill, before raising the alarm
Penny Mourdant, who made it to the final three in the Tory leadership race, described Sir Christopher as a ‘great public servant and friend.’
She added: ‘I loved his passion for his country, his warmth and humour. Thoughts with his family and all who loved him.’
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said he was ‘deeply saddened’ by the news.
He added: ‘He was a formidable diplomat, who strengthened the UK/US special relationship, and a man of great acumen, wit and wisdom. My thoughts are with Catherine and his loved ones.’
Just hours before he passed away, Sir Christopher was sharing his views on the Tory leadership race as he tweeted under the moniker ‘SirSocks’.
He had 32,600 followers and remained engaged in current affairs.
He had married Baroness Meyer, a former businesswoman and charity boss, in 1997.
Conservative MP for Chelsea & Fulham Greg Hands said he was ‘very sorry’ to hear of the death of the ‘brilliant’ Sir Christopher.
He added: ‘Always great company and an original thinker… thoughts with his equally brilliant widow Catherine at this time.’
Penny Mourdant was among those to pay tribute to Sir Christopher following his sudden death from a massive stroke
Christine Hamilton also took to social media to pay her respects.
‘Deeply shocked to learn that ‘Sir Socks’ died suddenly yesterday,’ she wrote.
‘What a gloriously colourful character, great diplomat and dear friend… such a sad loss.’
Sir Christopher had two sons from his first marriage and was also close to his wife’s two children from her previous marriage.
The couple met during her attempts to track down her sons, who had been abducted as children by their German father after their divorce.
Sir Christopher Meyer with his wife Baroness Catherine Meyer
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is flanked by Sir Christopher Meyer (left), and former US Chief of Protocol Donald Ensenat (right), on his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in 2002
Baroness Meyer is being supported by her family in France today. Sir Christopher’s funeral will be in France, where he will be buried.
A long career as a diplomat culminated when he was made ambassador to the US in 1997, a post he held for six years. Previously he had been ambassador to Germany and had postings to the former Soviet Union, Spain and the European Union.
He was also press secretary to prime minister John Major between 1993 and 1996, press secretary to foreign secretary Lord Howe, and speech writer to three foreign secretaries – James Callaghan, Anthony Crosland and David Owen.
Sir Christopher led the Press Complaints Commission from 2003 to 2009.
He had a fondness for red socks and was once described by Labour ex-deputy PM John Prescott as a ‘red-socked fop’ over his memoir DC Confidential, which included insights into the run-up to the Iraq War.
In a 2019 interview with the Daily Mail, Sir Christopher said he had been ‘determined to lead a monastic life, devoted to work’ – until he met Baroness Meyer.
In 2018, he was beaten up at Victoria tube station in London. He later said he was glad his teenage attacker was spared jail.
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