Northumberland Lord-Lieutenant

This section gives information about the Northumberland Lord-Lieutenant, her role and the things she does.

The Lord-Lieutenant is His Majesty the King's representative in the County. The unpaid post is administratively supported by the Council.

The Lord-Lieutenant upholds the dignity of the Crown, while encouraging volunteers and taking an active interest in the people of Northumberland.

Lord Lieutenant
Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland.

photography by Margaret Whittaker

 
  • arrange visits by members of the Royal family and to escort Royal visitors
  • represent The King, including duties with the armed forces and presenting certain honours, medals and awards
  • liaise with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated Cadet Forces
  • assess nominations for honours, both personal and for The King’s Award for voluntary service
The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by a vice lord-lieutenant and deputy lieutenants, people who have served the county in various ways. At present the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland is allowed up to 28 deputies.

The vice lord-lieutenant for Northumberland is Mrs Caroline Pryer

Deputy lieutenants
The number of deputies depends on the size of the population of the county.  At present the Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland is supported by 24 deputies:
  • His Grace The Duke of Northumberland
  • Lord Joicey
  • Lord Ridley
  • A Shearer CBE
  • Revd. JM Grieve
  • Mrs CA Pryer EdD Med NPQH DipEd
  • Mr SJ Birkett
  • Mr GG McCrory
  • Commander AS Collier
  • Mr SJ Harmison
  • Mrs C Malia
  • Ms K Tickell
  • Mr J H  Lovett
  • Col IB Speke
  • Mrs J Milburn
  • Mr W Browne-Swinburne
  • Mr J Malhotra
  • Miss CM Davidson
  • Mrs RC Straker
  • Mr JFT Morrison-Bell
  • Mrs FA Lees-Millais
  • Wing Commander HMA Cummins
  • Mr WL Keenen QPPM
  • Mr K Green
The Lord-Lieutenant is also supported administratively by the clerk to the lieutenancy, a role often taken on by the chief executive office of the local county.

 
  • Address: Northumberland Lieutenancy Office, County Hall, Morpeth, Northumberland NE61 2EF
  • Phone: 01670 623452
Bob Biggs MVO – Deputy Clerk to the Lieutenancy Mrs Tracy Hollan – Lieutenancy Officer
Royal visits
It is the duty of the Lord-Lieutenant to meet and attend The King and members of the Royal family on visits to Northumberland, unless the visit is private.

Northumberland has enjoyed visits from much of the Royal Family in the past to all parts of Northumberland and usually the Lieutenancy can arrange these to meet the expectations of the hosts.  The Lord-Lieutenant welcomes early enquiries about potential invitations so that a sensible programme can be built and the relevant Housholds contacted.

A member of the public may submit the invitation direct to the Household concerned with regards to a visit. However, it is preferred that it is submitted through the Lord-Lieutenant. This allows the Lord-Lieutenant to offer an opinion on the merits of the proposal and the Lieutenancy Office to co-ordinate arrangements for the vsit with the host organisations.

The Lieutenancy Office will coordinate arrangements for the visit with the host organisation and all enquiries are usually directed through the office.

Visits by the Lord-Lieutenant
The Lord-Lieutenant welcomes early enquiries about potential invitations for a visit by the Lord-Lieutenant, so that arrangements can be made in good time.  It is preferred that this is submitted through the Lord-Lieutenant's office (by email to Tracy.Hollan@northumbeland.gov.uk).  This allows the Lord-Lieutenant to consider the proposal and consider availability.  The Lord-Lieutenant may pass the invitation, through the Lieutenancy Office, to the Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant, and will co-ordinate arrangements for the visit with the host organisation.

Note: any Royal visits, honours presentations other engagements to be update here.
A message from The King is automatically sent to a person on their 100th, 105th and subsequent birthdays.

A member of the public can also request The King sends his congratulations on diamond (60th), 65th, and platinum (70th) Wedding Anniversaries and every year after that.

The Anniversaries office at Buckingham Palace arranges these messages. Applications can be made online or through the Lieutenancy Office (by email to Tracy.Hollan@northumberland.gov.uk) who will apply on behalf of an enquirer.
The honours system recognises merit and service to the nation and can be awarded to anyone who has made a difference in their community.

Most awards are made in the Order of the British Empire, which has a number of levels including Knight, Dame, Commander, Member of the British Empire Medal.

If you know someone who deserves a national award, you can download a nomination pack from the Cabinet Office website.
The King’s award for voluntary service is the highest award given to volunteer groups for outstanding work done in local communities.  This award is comparable to an MBE and lasts for the lifetime of the Volunteers' organisation. Information about the criteria for nomination can be found in the link above. Nomination forms are also available to download.

King's award for enterprise
The King's awards for enterprise are highly prestigious awards for outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade or sustainable development and are awarded to individuals who encourage entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others. The awards are made annually by His Majesty the King, and are given for the highest levels of excellence. Winners receive a number of benefits and recognition globally.

Previous winners of the awards have come from a range of backgrounds and businesses.
Every year His Majesty the King hosts a number of garden parties at Buckingham Palace. These have evolved into a way of rewarding and recognising public service. The Lord-Lieutenant has a small number of invitations allocated for people who have made a sustained and substantial contribution to their local communities.
Each year up to three cadets can be selected to serve as the Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets. Each represents the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets or the Air Training Corps across Northumberland. They assist as required on Royal visits, parades, military and civic events and church services.