He was the second longest - serving member of the Privy Council after the Duke of Edinburgh .
He was the longest - serving member of the House of Lords , and following the retirement of Lord Barber of Tewkesbury in 2016 , had been the oldest .
member was the second longest - serving member of the Privy Council after the Duke of Edinburgh .
He was the longest - serving member of the House of Lords , and following the retirement of Lord Barber of Tewkesbury in 2016 , had been the oldest .