The purpose of the protocol is not to add unnecessary formality but to reduce confusion and ensure people feel comfortable. The Lord- Lieutenant represents His Majesty The King and, when the Lord-Lieutenant is attending an event in her official capacity, she should be received with the same degree of etiquette and protocol as any member if the Royal Family.
The correct form of address for the Lord-Lieutenant is as follows:
- Written: Mrs Johanna Ropner, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire
- Salutation: Dear Lord-Lieutenant
- Speech: In a preamble the Lord-Lieutenant should be referred to as “My Lord-Lieutenant”
- In conversation: Mrs Johanna Ropner should be initially addressed as “Lord-Lieutenant”.
Should the Lord-Lieutenant be represented by her Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Christopher Legard DL, or a Deputy Lieutenant, the above should be adapted accordingly i.e. ‘Dear Vice Lord-Lieutenant’, 'Dear Deputy Lieutenant'
Other key points of protocol to follow include:
- Parking: A car parking space for the Lord-Lieutenant should be reserved as close as possible to the venue entrance.
- Greeting: The Lord-Lieutenant should be met on arrival by the host of the event, and generally escorted throughtout by a senior event figure.
- Seating: The Lord-Lieutenant should be treated as the principal guest, which may mean, for example, being seated on the right of the host at sit-down functions.
- Arrival & Depature: In general, the Lord-Lieutenant should be last to arrive and first to leave.
The above protocols are simply designed to ensure that events go smoothly and so that everyone knows what they are doing. The Lieutenancy Office are always able to advise on the details of your particular event.