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Lord Lieutenant of Rutland facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Imagine someone who represents the King or Queen in a county – that's what a Lord-Lieutenant does! They are the monarch's personal representative in a specific area, like Rutland. This important job has a long history, and for a while, the position for Rutland was actually stopped. But don't worry, it came back!

For many years, the special job of Lord-Lieutenant for Rutland existed. However, on March 31, 1974, this ancient position was officially ended. For a period, from April 1, 1974, until April 8, 1997, Rutland was looked after by the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire. This meant that the person representing the King or Queen for Leicestershire also covered Rutland.

Since 1690, everyone who held the title of Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland also had another important role: Custos Rotulorum of Rutland. This fancy Latin name means "Keeper of the Rolls," and it meant they were in charge of the county's official records and documents.

What Does a Lord-Lieutenant Do?

A Lord-Lieutenant is a very important person. They represent the King or Queen in their county. Their main jobs include:

  • Welcoming members of the Royal Family when they visit.
  • Presenting awards and medals on behalf of the King or Queen.
  • Supporting local community groups and volunteer work.
  • Promoting the county and its people.

They are a link between the local community and the Royal Family.

Rutland's Early Lord-Lieutenants (Until 1974)

For centuries, many notable people held the position of Lord-Lieutenant for Rutland. They were responsible for representing the monarch and overseeing various county affairs. Here are some of the individuals who held this role before it was temporarily stopped:

The Position Returns (Since 1997)

Good news for Rutland! The position of Lord-Lieutenant was brought back on April 8, 1997. Since then, new individuals have taken on this important role, continuing the tradition of representing the monarch in the county.

  • Sir Thomas Lawrie (Jock) Kennedy April 1, 1997 – July 14, 2003
  • Sir Lawrence Howard July 14, 2003 – March 29, 2018
  • Dr Sarah Furness April 3, 2018 – present
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