REQUEST ATTENDANCE BY THE
LORD-LIEUTENANT

When attending events as the representative of The King, the Lord-Lieutenant must be received with the etiquette and protocol that would be extended to a member of the Royal Family.

 

Traditional Protocol To Follow

When attending an official ceremony or formal occasion, including award presentations and processions, the Lord-Lieutenant takes precedence over other guests.

 

On arrival, the Lord-Lieutenant should be received by a named person, usually the host, and should continue to be accompanied throughout the entire engagement. The Lord-Lieutenant will arrive at a designated time that is slightly later than the other guests and should be the last person to take their seat.

 

Church Services

When attending church services, the Lord-Lieutenant always enters the church last, shortly before the service begins and should be seated on the front row. The Lord-Lieutenant is expected to be the first person to leave following the service (after the clergy).

 

When attending a funeral, the Lord-Lieutenant should be seated on the front row of the church on the opposite side to the family and will leave the church immediately after the family.

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Addressing the Lord-Lieutenant

Full style (introduction) and Written address: The Countess Howe, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire

Salutation: Dear Lord-Lieutenant or Dear Lady Howe

Speech: In the preamble the Lord-Lieutenant is sometimes referred to as 'My Lord-Lieutenant'

Form of Address: Initially, “Lord-Lieutenant” followed by “Ma’am” (to rhyme with jam) or “Lady Howe” subsequently, unless asked to do otherwise.

Notes:

• Incorrect Style: It is incorrect to use Countess Howe’s given name in association with the title Countess or Lady; i.e Elizabeth, Countess Howe; Countess Elizabeth Howe; Lady Elizabeth Howe should not be used. Please refer to Assistant Clerk for clarification.

• Lieutenant is pronounced “'LEF-tenant'”, not “LEW-tenant”.

 

Necessary Details

To allow events to run smoothly for the comfort of everyone, it is important to provide all the necessary details of the visit in advance including:

 

• Dress code

• Time and date

• Parking details (the Lord-Lieutenant will arrive by car, for which a space must be provided)

• Accurate venue details

• Detailed notes for any speech the Lord-Lieutenant is expected to deliver

• The name of the host who will be meeting the Lord-Lieutenant

• Details of the meeting point.

 

The protocol is helpful in making sure hosts and guests feel comfortable during a visit from the Lord-Lieutenant and uphold the dignity of the Crown.