Lord-in-Waiting
Encyclopedia
Most Lords in Waiting are Government whips
in the House of Lords
who are members of the Royal Household
of the Sovereign
of the United Kingdom
. As members of the Royal Household their duties are nominal, though they are occasionally required to meet visiting political and state leaders on visits to the United Kingdom. For instance, on 23 May 2011, when President Obama travelled to the UK from Ireland one day earlier than had originally been planned, he was greeted by the Lord in Waiting Viscount Brookeborough, who met them on behalf of the Queen. As political appointees, the Sovereign appoints them on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
.
A number of non-political Lords in Waiting are also appointed, as well as Permanent Lords in Waiting, who are usually retired senior officials of the Royal Household
. These, being non-political, are at the personal discretion of the Sovereign. For example, Lord Janvrin who was, up until 2007, the Private Secretary to the Queen
, was installed upon his retirement as a life Baron in the House of Lords
and now serves as one of Her Majesty's Permanent Lords-in-Waiting.
Chief Whip
The Chief Whip is a political office in some legislatures assigned to an elected member whose task is to administer the whipping system that ensures that members of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires.-The Whips Office:...
in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
who are members of the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
of the Sovereign
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. As members of the Royal Household their duties are nominal, though they are occasionally required to meet visiting political and state leaders on visits to the United Kingdom. For instance, on 23 May 2011, when President Obama travelled to the UK from Ireland one day earlier than had originally been planned, he was greeted by the Lord in Waiting Viscount Brookeborough, who met them on behalf of the Queen. As political appointees, the Sovereign appoints them on the recommendation of the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
.
A number of non-political Lords in Waiting are also appointed, as well as Permanent Lords in Waiting, who are usually retired senior officials of the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
. These, being non-political, are at the personal discretion of the Sovereign. For example, Lord Janvrin who was, up until 2007, the Private Secretary to the Queen
Private Secretary to the Sovereign
The Private Secretary to the Sovereign is the senior operational member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, as distinct from the Great Officers of the Household. The Private Secretary is the principal channel of communication with Her Majesty's Government and the...
, was installed upon his retirement as a life Baron in the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
and now serves as one of Her Majesty's Permanent Lords-in-Waiting.