Lord Lieutenant of the County of London facts for kids
A Lord Lieutenant is a special representative of the British monarch (the King or Queen) in a specific area of the United Kingdom. It's a very old and important role, mostly ceremonial today. Think of them as the King's local ambassador!
The role of Lord Lieutenant of the County of London was created in 1889. This new position took over the duties that used to be handled by the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower Hamlets. The County of London was a special administrative area that existed for a while.
This specific Lord Lieutenant role lasted until 1965. At that time, it was combined with the duties of the Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex. Together, they formed the new role of Lord Lieutenant of Greater London, which still exists today.
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What is a Lord Lieutenant?
A Lord Lieutenant is the King's personal representative in a county or area. They are usually a respected person from the local community. Their main jobs include:
- Organizing royal visits to their area.
- Presenting medals and awards on behalf of the King.
- Supporting local volunteer groups and charities.
- Promoting good citizenship and community spirit.
It's a non-political role, meaning they don't get involved in everyday government decisions. They are there to uphold the dignity of the Crown and serve their community.
The County of London's Special Role
The County of London was a unique area created in 1889. It covered the main part of what we now call Inner London. Having its own Lord Lieutenant meant that this important urban area had a direct link to the monarch. This helped to manage royal affairs and local civic life within the bustling capital.
When the County of London was replaced by Greater London in 1965, the old Lord Lieutenant roles for London and Middlesex were merged. This created a single, larger role to represent the monarch across the much bigger new region.
People Who Served as Lord Lieutenant of the County of London
Here are the individuals who held this important position during its existence:
- Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster served from April 1, 1889, to December 22, 1899.
- Alexander Duff, 1st Duke of Fife served from February 12, 1900, to January 12, 1912.
- Robert Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe served from June 24, 1912, to July 5, 1944.
- Gerald Wellesley, 7th Duke of Wellington served from July 5, 1944, to September 13, 1949.
- Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell served from September 13, 1949, to May 24, 1950.
- Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke served from August 23, 1950, to April 25, 1957.
- Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis served from May 17, 1957, until the role was abolished in 1965.
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