Short answers, pulled from the story.
Chatham House originated on the 30th of May 1919 when Lionel Curtis convened a meeting of American and British delegates at the Paris Peace Conference. This gathering marked the birth of what would become the Royal Institute of International Affairs.
The headquarters of Chatham House are located at 10 St James's Square in London. Canadian philanthropists Lieutenant-Colonel Reuben Wells Leonard and Kate Rowlands Leonard purchased this property in 1923 and donated it to the institute as its permanent base.
The Chatham House Rule allows participants to discuss meeting content freely outside the room without identifying who attended or naming specific individuals. Speakers may share what was said while maintaining confidentiality regarding individual contributions to encourage frank discussion on controversial issues.
As of 2025, Sir Simon Fraser serves as chairman of the Council while Bronwen Maddox holds the director and CEO position. Three presidents guide strategic direction including Theresa May former prime minister of the United Kingdom, Valerie Amos Baroness Amos and Helen Clark former prime minister of New Zealand.
Chatham House received its royal charter in 1926 which transformed it into the Royal Institute of International Affairs. The name Chatham House became associated with the house due to William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham after Canadian philanthropists purchased the property at 10 St James's Square in 1923.