Protocol

Meeting the people and organisations who live, work and volunteer in Merseyside is an important part of the role for the Lord-Lieutenant. When the Lord-Lieutenant attends an event or function, there are a number of arrangements that organisers should consider in their planning.

The Lord-Lieutenant: Mr. Peter Oliver OBE

The Lord-Lieutenant is His Majesty The King’s personal representative in Merseyside. The Lord- Lieutenant therefore takes precedence over all others, except when a member of the Royal Family is present. For these occasions, additional advice is available from the Lieutenancy. At all other times, the Lord-Lieutenant is the last to arrive at an engagement, he must be met formally, and other guests are introduced to him.

In speech, the Lord-Lieutenant is referred to as ‘Lord-Lieutenant’ and at the beginning of speeches he is acknowledged ﬁrst. After initial introductions, the salutation of ‘Mr Oliver’ is also appropriate. At the end of an event the Lord-Lieutenant must be the ﬁrst person to depart.

The High Sheriff

Each year, His Majesty The King selects a new High Sheriff of Merseyside. The name and contact details of the current High Sheriff are always available from the Lieutenancy. The High Sheriff also represents His Majesty The King, especially at engagements relating to the law and to the emergency services. The Lieutenancy will advise to which engagements it is appropriate to invite both the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff.

The High Sheriff takes precedence only after the Lord-Lieutenant. The High Sheriff assumes a similar status to that of the Lord-Lieutenant as His Majesty The King’s second most senior personal representative in the County. The High Sheriff takes precedence over all others and is the last to arrive at an engagement. The High Sheriff needs to be met formally and is referred to as ‘High Sheriff‘. In speeches he or she is acknowledged ﬁrst (or second after the Lord-Lieutenant if applicable). After initial introductions the salutation of ‘Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Surname)’ is also appropriate. At the end of the event the High Sheriff is the ﬁrst person to depart (or second after the Lord-Lieutenant if applicable).

The Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants

The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and a team of Deputy Lieutenants (N.B. ‘Deputy Lieutenant’ not ‘Deputy Lord-Lieutenant‘). The Lord-Lieutenant may choose to have the Vice-Lord-Lieutenant accompany him at an engagement or he may ask the Vice Lord-Lieutenant to represent him at an engagement. Similarly, the Lord-Lieutenant may ask a Deputy Lieutenant to represent him at an engagement.

When either the Vice-Lord Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant is representing the Lord-Lieutenant, he or she assumes the status of the Lord-Lieutenant as His Majesty The King’s senior personal representative in the County. He or she takes precedence over all others, is the last to arrive at an engagement, needs to be formally met and is referred to formally as ‘Vice Lord-Lieutenant’. Deputy Lieutenants are always referred to by name. In speeches the Vice-Lord-Lieutenant or the Deputy Lieutenant is acknowledged first. After initial introductions the salutation of ‘Vice Lord-Lieutenant‘ or ‘Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms (Surname)’ is also appropriate. At the end of an event the Vice Lord- Lieutenant or the Deputy Lieutenant is the first person to depart.

(When the Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant is representing the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff is also present, the Lord-Lieutenant’s representative takes precedence over the High Sheriff.)

Lord Mayor and Mayors, and their Protocol Relationship to the Lord-Lieutenant and High Sheriff

When an event involves a Civic invitation from a Lord Mayor or a Mayor and is to a civic function, the protocol and precedence change somewhat. In these circumstances The Lord Mayor or Mayor is the senior ﬁgure and defers only to The King himself. However, it is common for Civic Heads to defer to the Lord-Lieutenant or the High Sheriff as a matter of courtesy.

Protocol List

Set out below is the nationally recognised protocol list. Inevitably the City or local Boroughs will have their own views as custom and practice have developed.

The Lord Lieutenant (unless there is a member of the Royal Family present)
The High Sheriff
The Lord Mayor or Mayor
The elected Mayor (where the post exists)
The Chair of the Council
The Deputy Mayor
Aldermen
Councillors
Justices of the Peace
The Chief Executive of the City or Borough
The Chief Constable or his representative

The Lord-Lieutenant will wear uniform on appropriate occasions.

Meeting community and voluntary groups, charities and third sector organisations and the business community is an important role for the Lord-Lieutenant.

When the Lord-Lieutenant attends an official event or function at your organisation or business, there are a few things you should be familiar with. Unless members of the Royal Family are present, as The King’s representative for Merseyside the Lord-Lieutenant will take precedence over every other guest or attendee. This means that the Lord-Lieutenant should be the last person to arrive at a function and must be met on arrival and looked after throughout his attendance.

In the absence of the Lord-Lieutenant, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant can be asked to represent him on official engagements and be accorded the same level of protocol as the Lord-Lieutenant.

The Lord-Lieutenant will wear uniform for formal functions.

Correct forms of Address:

The correct forms of address for The Lord-Lieutenant is:

In writing: Mr Mark Blundell, Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside

Saluation: ‘Dear Lord-Lieutenant’ or ‘Dear Mr Blundell’

Address/speech: “Lord-Lieutenant”

On being introduced: “Lord-Lieutenant” or “Mr Blundell”

It is important to be aware of the protocol and precedence in relation to the Lord-Lieutenant and the Lieutenancy Office staff will always help if you have any queries.

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