The office of Lord-Lieutenant has existed for well over four hundred years.
Each county has a Lord-Lieutenant who is The Queen's representative for the whole area of the county. In Nottinghamshire this includes the City of Nottingham, as well as all of the Boroughs and Districts in the surrounding county area.
The current Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire is Sir Andrew Buchanan Bt. who was appointed in February 1991.
Lord-Lieutenants are appointed by the Monarch to serve until they reach the age of 75 years. This can mean that a Lord-Lieutenant may serve for a very long period.
When an appointment is made it is confirmed by a document called Letters Patent under the Great Seal.
Lord-Lieutenants in the 21st century have an important role representing the Monarch in many formal and ceremonial ways. In the past the office was a powerful device by which Monarchs exercised control of counties by indirect rule. In particular, it was the Lieutenants (as they were originally known) who controlled the militia, the local defence forces, which existed variously as military reserves, as police, and as forces for national unity.
As Lord-Lieutenant Sir Andrew Buchanan’s first and foremost duty is to uphold the dignity of the Crown. He seeks to promote a spirit of co-operation by encouragement of the voluntary services and benevolent organisations, and by taking an active interest in the business, industrial and social life of the County. The Lord-Lieutenant’s role is, like the Monarch’s, essentially non-political.
The main duties of the Lord-Lieutenant may be summarised as follows:
- Arranging visits of Members of the Royal Family, and receiving and escorting Royal Visitors as appropriate.
- Presentation of medals and awards on behalf of The Queen to individuals, voluntary groups and business organisations.
- Participation in civic, voluntary and social events within the County.
- Liaison with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated Cadet Forces.
- Leadership of the Local Magistracy as Chairman of the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on the Appointment of Justices of the Peace (who are also known as Magistrates).
The Lord-Lieutenant has appointed a Vice Lord-Lieutenant (Col. Timothy Richmond MBE TD DL) and a number of Deputy Lieutenants to assist him in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities.
