Lieutenancy Visits

The Lord-Lieutenant’s role includes supporting civic, voluntary, charitable and business life, presenting honours and awards on behalf of The King, encouraging voluntary service, and maintaining close links with the Armed Forces, cadet forces, emergency services, faith groups and local authorities. As an apolitical and highly respected figure, their presence can lend significance, recognition and ceremonial importance to an event, while also highlighting the contributions of local people and organisations.

Lieutenancy Visits

An organisation may wish to invite the Lord-Lieutenant because they serve as His Majesty’s personal representative in the county, upholding the dignity of the Crown and embodying the values of public service, unity and community engagement.

By inviting the Lord‑Lieutenant to an event, an organisation gains not only the honour of royal representation but also added visibility, prestige, and recognition for the work being undertaken. Their attendance can highlight the significance of an occasion, demonstrate endorsement of community‑focused initiatives, and help forge valuable connections that support and enhance local engagement.

Addressing the Lord-Lieutenant

Written: The Lady Dannatt MBE, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk
Salutation: ‘Dear Lord-Lieutenant’
In a speech: ‘Lord-Lieutenant’
When a formal speech is made by the person presiding over the event, it should begin, ‘My Lord-Lieutenant,’ followed by ‘distinguished guests’ (by name or appointment if appropriate), ‘ladies and gentlemen…’
Conversation: ‘Lady Dannatt or Lord-Lieutenant’
Note: Lieutenant is pronounced ‘LEF-tenant’, not ‘LEW-tenant’.

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant & Deputy Lieutenants

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant, as a representative of the Lord-Lieutenant, should be accorded the same protocol as for the Lord-Lieutenant.
Please note that Deputy Lieutenants should not be referred to as Deputy Lord-Lieutenants but simply as Deputy Lieutenants.

Arrival of the Lord-Lieutenant

The Lord-Lieutenant will always aim to arrive at the time scheduled, which should be slightly later than for other invited guests. She should be received at the entrance of the venue by the host (the senior person present), and escorted by the host or another designated person until such time as she leaves the venue

Lord-Lieutenant’s Car

A parking space should be reserved for the Lord-Lieutenant’s car as near as possible to the point where she will be received.

Media and Publicity

Please feel free to notify the local media that the Lord-Lieutenant will be attending your function. However, there is no guarantee that the event will receive press coverage. The Lord-Lieutenant may post a message on social media with a photograph, permissions having been sought. Please take care to obtain permission from the subjects of photographs you intend to post on social media as a record of the event in question.

Visits to Schools

Where appropriate, pupils should rise upon the Lord-Lieutenant’s entrance and again when she leaves.

Award Ceremonies

Where the Lord-Lieutenant is invited to present an award in a formal capacity, she does so on behalf of His Majesty the King and the Royal Prerogative applies.
Therefore, the Lord-Lieutenant or her representative, takes precedence over all other guests.
If people are seated, it is usual for the host to arrange for the Lord-Lieutenant to be announced upon entering the venue, so that those present may stand to acknowledge her status. The person making the announcement should do so by saying: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, please stand to receive the Lord-Lieutenant’..

At the End of an Event

Although strictly speaking guests should not leave a function before the Lord-Lieutenant, it is understood that attendees may have pressing commitments which necessitate their early departure.
It is usual for the Lord-Lieutenant to be escorted from the function room or outdoor space at the end of the event, with guests once again being invited to rise (if seated) and otherwise acknowledge the Lord-Lieutenant’s status.

Toasts and speeches

If you wish the Lord-Lieutenant to propose or respond to a Toast, or make a speech, prior notice should be given. Please provide, in writing, relevant details of any points you would wish her to make, with other requested information.

Church services

The Lord-Lieutenant should be met at the entrance to the Church and escorted to the front seat on the right-hand side of the aisle. If she is accompanied by her husband, he will stay with her at all times and be seated next to her.
The congregation should be invited to rise at the Lord-Lieutenant’s entry and upon her departure. The Lord-Lieutenant should enter the church immediately before the clergy and withdraw immediately after.
At funeral services, the Lord-Lieutenant will be received and seated according to the wishes of the next of kin. The normal protocol is for the Lord-Lieutenant to enter two minutes before the service begins and to leave after the family.

Order of Service

Where the Lord-Lieutenant attends a Civic Service, consideration should be given to including her presence in the Order of Service. This will assist the congregation to identify her, as well as ensuring that she is permitted to leave before the other dignitaries.

Taking the Salute

There will be occasions when the Lord-Lieutenant is invited to take the salute at a march past, either following a Service or at another formal event. It’s customary for the host to join the Lord-Lieutenant on the dais, although normally one pace behind her. The host should also salute or remove head-dress as appropriate.

Briefing

When the Lord-Lieutenant is attending an event, the Lieutenancy Office welcomes a short brief which may include some or all of the following:
·       Date and timings
·       Venue
·       Car parking arrangements
·       Meeting point and name of person to greet the Lord-Lieutenant
·       Guest List
·       Speech bullet points
·       Background brief to organisation and any other relevant information
·       Dress code
·       Emergency contact number (in case of a problem prior to arrival or on the day)

How should I address members of the Royal Family?

· For The King: Your Majesty on the first occasion and Sir thereafter.
· For female members of the Royal Family who hold the title Her Royal Highness: Your Royal Highness on the first occasion and then Ma’am.
· For male members of the Royal Family who hold the title His Royal Highness: Your Royal Highness on the first occasion and Sir thereafter.

Request attendance by The Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant

Contact Us

If you have any questions about protocol not answered here please contact us at the Lieutenancy Office.