The Role of a Lord-Lieutenant

The fundamental principle concerning the office of Lord-Lieutenant is that he/she is Her Majesty’s representative in their county and consequently it is their first and foremost duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown. In this role the Lord-Lieutenant supports The Queen in Her capacity as 'Head of Nation' in which The Sovereign acts as a focus for national identity, unity and pride; gives a sense of stability and continuity; officially recognises success and excellence; and supports the ideal of voluntary service.

The Lord-Lieutenant’s tasks are to help maintain respect for the Monarchy through their valuable community networks; to organise and/or assist with Royal Visits within their counties; to promote and assess nominations for honours and awards; to support local units of the Armed Forces; to represent The Queen, including duties with the military and presenting honours and awards; and to lead the local magistracy (England and Wales only).

The Lord-Lieutenant will follow the example of The Queen and other Members of the Royal Family in seeking to promote a good atmosphere and a spirit of co-operation by the encouragement he/she gives to voluntary service, and to benevolent organisations, and by the interest he/she takes in the business, industrial and social life of his/her county and the voluntary activity that goes on in it.

The Lord-Lieutenants’ role is essentially non-political.Their representatives should at all time avoid being involved in controversy which might lead to the impartiality of the office being questioned. As The Queen’s representative, he/she and his/her Deputy Lieutenants should stand aloof from politics in their county and therefore not take part in political activities or hold office in political parties.