Anissia Morel: Inside Her Work in Law and Cultural Diplomacy

Introduction

Anissia Morel is a French senior civil servant, legal official and cultural diplomat. She currently serves as Director of the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in London.

Her career has covered administrative law, national security, foreign policy, humanitarian affairs and cultural cooperation. She has worked for France’s Conseil d’État, the UK Foreign Office, the French Embassy and the French foreign minister.

Morel is also married to British Conservative politician Tom Tugendhat. However, she developed an important public-service career of her own. Her independent professional path can be compared with Victoria Starmer’s work in law and public healthcare.

Anissia Morel Quick Facts

Detail	Verified information
Full name	Anissia Morel
Nationality	French
Profession	Senior civil servant, legal official and cultural diplomat
Current role	Director of the Institut français du Royaume-Uni
Embassy role	Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in the UK
Legal position	Maîtresse des requêtes at the Conseil d’État
Professional fields	Law, diplomacy, security, culture and international affairs
Husband	Tom Tugendhat
Children	Two
Current professional base	London, United Kingdom

Who Is Anissia Morel?

Anissia Morel is a senior French public official with experience in law, government policy and international relations.

She joined France’s Conseil d’État in 2010. The Conseil d’État is the country’s highest court for administrative matters. It also advises the French government when new laws and important regulations are being prepared.

Morel gained experience in judicial review, which involves examining whether decisions made by public authorities follow the law.

She later moved into international policy and diplomacy. Her work has covered France–UK relations, Russia, Eastern Europe, the United Nations, the G7, humanitarian aid, climate policy and cultural cooperation.

The official Institut français profile confirms the main stages of her career.

Entering the French Civil Service

Morel entered the French civil service in 2008 through the École Nationale d’Administration, commonly known as ENA.

ENA trained many of France’s senior civil servants, diplomats and government advisers. Entry was highly competitive and prepared officials for important positions across the French state.

This training helped Morel begin a career involving government administration, legal analysis and public policy.

Career at the Conseil d’État

Morel joined the Conseil d’État in 2010 and worked in its Fifth Chamber. Her role gave her extensive experience in administrative law and judicial review.

She was also consulted as a legal adviser by French government departments, including ministries responsible for foreign affairs, defence and culture.

In 2012, she coordinated work connected with France’s White Paper on Defence and National Security. The document examined France’s military priorities, security challenges and international responsibilities.

Morel returned to the Conseil d’État’s advisory work in 2013. She helped examine proposed laws and contributed to the institution’s legal opinions.

In February 2014, she was appointed maître des requêtes. The feminine form of this senior Conseil d’État rank is maîtresse des requêtes.

Her professional rise reflects the value of legal knowledge and public-sector experience. Other leaders, including Abi Gbago in UK public leadership, have also built careers through years of public service.

Working at the UK Foreign Office

In 2015, Morel was seconded to the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The department is now called the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

She served as a senior policy planner covering:

• Strategic affairs
• Russia
• Eastern Europe
• European security
• Wider international policy

A secondment allows a professional to work temporarily for another organisation while remaining connected to their original institution.

The position gave Morel direct experience inside the British government. It also helped her understand how France and the UK approach international security and foreign policy.

Similar subjects appear in Sophia Gaston’s work on British foreign policy, although Gaston works as a researcher and policy adviser rather than a French civil servant.

Legal and Political Adviser in London

Morel became a legal and political adviser at the French Embassy in the United Kingdom in 2018.

Her responsibilities involved legal questions, political developments and relations between France and Britain. Her work took place during an important period shaped by Brexit and changes in the UK’s relationship with Europe.

The role required an understanding of French institutions, British politics and international law.

Her experience connects legal work with diplomacy and European security. These themes are also explored in Francesca Cortini’s international and NATO career.

Adviser to the French Foreign Minister

In 2022, Morel served as an adviser to the French foreign minister on the United Nations, G7 and global affairs.

Her portfolio included:

• France’s work within the United Nations
• Cooperation between G7 countries
• International development
• Humanitarian aid
• Climate and environmental policy
• Legal affairs
• Multilateral cooperation

Multilateral cooperation means several countries working together through international organisations, shared rules and agreements.

This position placed Morel close to important discussions about global security, humanitarian support and France’s international responsibilities.

Humanitarian Work Connected With Ukraine

In 2023, Morel worked on establishing a proposed British-based humanitarian foundation for Ukraine.

The project was connected with plans to use proceeds from sanctioned assets for humanitarian support.

During the same period, Morel returned to the Conseil d’État as a maîtresse des requêtes. She served in its Fourth Chamber, which handles matters connected with constitutional and domestic affairs.

Becoming Director of the Institut Français

Morel was appointed Director of the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy on 1 February 2024.

The Institut français promotes French language and culture across the United Kingdom. It supports cooperation involving:

• Schools and universities
• French-language learning
• Cinema and television
• Literature and public discussions
• Theatre and dance
• Music
• Visual arts
• Cultural organisations
• Artists from France and the UK

Morel said that she wanted to create closer cultural and educational ties between France and Britain.

Her appointment came during the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale. The historic agreement improved relations between the two countries in 1904.

What Does Anissia Morel Do Now?

As of July 2026, Morel continues to lead the Institut français in the United Kingdom while serving as Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy.

An official French government order continued her London secondment for two years from 1 September 2025. The appointment is recorded by France’s official Legifrance service.

Her current work involves promoting French culture, supporting language education and building partnerships between French and British institutions.

She also helps cultural programmes reach people outside London. This is important because the Institut français represents French culture across the whole United Kingdom, not only within the capital.

What Is Cultural Diplomacy?

Cultural diplomacy uses language, education, art and shared ideas to build stronger relationships between countries.

It can include:

• Student and teacher exchanges
• Film festivals
• Book events
• Art exhibitions
• Theatre performances
• Academic partnerships
• Public discussions
• Language programmes

These activities allow people from different countries to understand each other more clearly.

Morel’s legal and diplomatic background gives her a broad understanding of the political relationship surrounding this cultural work.

Marriage to Tom Tugendhat

Anissia Morel is married to Tom Tugendhat, a British Conservative politician.

Tugendhat has served as a Member of Parliament since 2015. He chaired the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee and served as the UK’s security minister from September 2022 until July 2024.

Both Morel and Tugendhat have professional experience involving international security, foreign affairs and relations between European countries.

However, Morel is not a British politician and does not hold a Conservative Party position. Her career belongs to the French civil service and diplomatic system.

British journalists regularly report on politicians and their families. Readers interested in this wider political environment can also explore Madeline Grant’s work in Westminster journalism.

Anissia Morel’s Children

Anissia Morel and Tom Tugendhat have two children.

The family has occasionally appeared in British media coverage, including during television interviews conducted from home.

Morel generally remains focused on her professional responsibilities rather than building a celebrity profile around her family.

Is Anissia Morel a Lawyer or a Judge?

Anissia Morel is a senior French legal official and member of the Conseil d’État.

British media sometimes describe her as a French lawyer or judge. These descriptions provide a simple explanation for international readers, but her official role is more specific.

Her Conseil d’État work has included:

• Judicial review
• Administrative law
• Examining proposed legislation
• Advising government departments
• Contributing to official legal opinions

It is therefore accurate to describe her as a senior civil servant and legal official with judicial and government-advisory experience.

Why Is Anissia Morel Known?

Anissia Morel is known for her work across several major public institutions.

Her most important career achievements include:

1. Entering the French civil service through ENA
2. Joining France’s Conseil d’État
3. Working on France’s defence and national-security review
4. Serving inside the UK Foreign Office
5. Advising the French Embassy in London
6. Working with the French foreign minister on the UN and G7
7. Supporting humanitarian planning connected with Ukraine
8. Leading the Institut français in the United Kingdom
9. Promoting cultural and educational cooperation between France and Britain

Her marriage to Tom Tugendhat has brought additional public attention, but her professional career remains the main reason her work is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Anissia Morel?

Anissia Morel is a French senior civil servant, legal official and cultural diplomat.

What does Anissia Morel do now?

She is Director of the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in London.

Is Anissia Morel French?

Yes. She works within the French civil service and diplomatic system.

Is Anissia Morel a lawyer?

She is a senior legal official at France’s Conseil d’État. Her work has included judicial review and advising government departments.

What did Anissia Morel do at the UK Foreign Office?

She worked as a senior policy planner covering strategic affairs, Russia and Eastern Europe.

Did Anissia Morel work for the French foreign minister?

Yes. In 2022, she advised the foreign minister on the United Nations, G7 and global affairs.

Who is Anissia Morel’s husband?

She is married to British Conservative politician Tom Tugendhat.

Does Anissia Morel have children?

Yes. She and Tom Tugendhat have two children.

What is the Institut français du Royaume-Uni?

It is a French cultural organisation that promotes language learning, cinema, literature, art, education and cooperation between France and the UK.

Why is Anissia Morel important?

Her career connects French law, British foreign policy and international cultural cooperation.

Conclusion

Anissia Morel has built a strong career across law, government policy, diplomacy and culture.

She developed legal experience at the Conseil d’État before working inside the UK Foreign Office and the French Embassy. She later advised France’s foreign minister on the United Nations, G7 and global affairs.

Her current role brings those experiences together. As Director of the Institut français in the UK, she helps strengthen cultural and educational cooperation between France and Britain.

Although many people recognise her as Tom Tugendhat’s wife, her work as a French legal official and cultural diplomat gives her a clear and independent public identity.