He fought in the First World War as a major in the Irish Guards, was mentioned in dispatches, wounded and awarded the Military Cross.

[citation needed] Nugent was appointed Equerry to the Duke of York (the future George VI) in 1927, a post he held until 1936.

He subsequently served as Comptroller of the Lord Chamberlain's Office between 1936 and 1960 and as an Extra Equerry to George VI between 1937 and 1952 and to Elizabeth II between 1952 and 1960.

[citation needed] He was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 1927,[1] promoted to Commander (CVO) in 1937,[2] to Knight Commander (KCVO) in 1945[citation needed] and to Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) in 1952.

[citation needed] Nugent appeared for the Eton XI before the First World War and following it was a regular club cricketer, most frequently playing for the Household Brigade team.