His father was the second son of five children born to Captain David Longfield Beatty and Katherine Edith Beatty (née Sadleir), both from Ireland: David Longfield had been an officer in the Fourth Hussars where he formed a relationship with Katrine, the wife of another officer.
In 1919, he gained the courtesy title of Viscount Borodale when his father was created Earl Beatty.
Beatty, holding the rank of lieutenant commander, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942.
His half-brother Ronald Tree also sat in Parliament at this time, as member for Market Harborough, Leicestershire.
He moved to the House of Lords when he succeeded as 2nd Earl Beatty on his father's death on 11 March 1936.