Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Taylor was the first Private Secretary to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, serving George III, George IV, and William IV.

The private secretary to the sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the sovereign of the United Kingdom. The private secretary is the principal channel of communication between the monarch and the governments in most of the Commonwealth realms. They also have responsibility for the official programme and correspondence of the sovereign. Through these roles the position wields considerable influence. This is one of the most senior positions within the Royal Household.