Description
It is April 1998. I am in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary, by now a democracy free of the Soviet Union and Communism. Moreover, I am sitting with the President of Hungary, having just presented my credentials as British Ambassador to his country. I am excited and a little overwhelmed. Everyone is calling me ‘Excellency’ which I am not (yet) used to. I have a chauffeur outside, in a British racing green Jaguar which flies the Union Jack, waiting to drive me to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior where I shall lay a wreath. Is this really me? How on earth did all this happen? I was just an ordinary boy from South London with no expectations of anything as a child or even a young adult. What happened? It is a curious tale: of bad judgements, good timing and luck. Here is my story.
Nigel Thorpe
Nigel Thorpe (born 1945) grew up in South London before moving, aged eleven, to East Grinstead, where he attended the grammar school. After gaining a first-class honours degree in History from University College, Cardiff, he joined HM Diplomatic Service. As well as positions in London, especially as head of Central European Department (1992–96), he served in Poland (twice), Bangladesh, Canada and Zimbabwe, finishing his career as ambassador to Hungary (1998–2003). He then worked for Vodafone before immersing himself in voluntary work in London. He has been married twice and is close to his children from both marriages.
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