In 1644, the future Charles II was placed in command of the West Country, with Hyde and his close friend Sir Ralph Hopton part of his Governing Council. When the Royalists surrendered in June 1646, Hyde went into exile with Charles, who became king after his father's execution in January 1649. He avoided participation in the Second or Third English Civil War, since both involved alliances with Scots and English Presbyterians, instead serving as a diplomat in Paris and Madrid. After The Restoration in 1660, Charles appointed him chancellor, while his daughter Anne married the future James II, making him grandfather of two queens, Mary II and Anne.