Etiquette and dress
The Lord-Lieutenant is HM The King’s personal representative in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. You should follow the same etiquette and protocol as you would for a member of the Royal Family when he is attending events in his official capacity.
Where the Lord-Lieutenant is unable to attend an event, he may be represented by his Vice Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant. You should follow the same etiquette and protocol.
The Lieutenancy Office is always happy to provide advice about protocol at events which includes that:
- a reserved and clearly marked car parking space should always be arranged
- the Lord-Lieutenant or Deputy should always be met on arrival by the host and escorted throughout the visit
- the Lord-Lieutenant (or Deputy) always takes precedence over other civic guests
- printed material that refers to the Lord-Lieutenant should always be approved by the Lieutenancy Office
How to address the Lord-Lieutenant
In a speech
In the introduction you should refer to the Lord-Lieutenant as 'My Lord-Lieutenant”'
A speech might begin: 'Lord-Lieutenant, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen'.
In conversation
On formal occasions use 'Lord-Lieutenant' or 'Mr Blackman'.
In writing
Salutation: Dear Lord-Lieutenant, or Dear Mr Blackman
Form of address: Initially, ‘Lord-Lieutenant’ followed by ‘Sir’.
Written address: Mr Andrew Blackman, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex
For queries on etiquette and protocol, please contact us.
Uniform
You can recognise the Lord-Lieutenant on formal occasions by his uniform, which is based on a General Officer in the Army’s No 1 Dress.
It serves as a symbol of the role’s military origins.
Badges
In plain clothes, a male Deputy Lieutenant may wear a neck badge, when representing the Lord-Lieutenant.
Female Deputy Lieutenants may wear a neck badge when representing the Lord Lieutenant, but may also wear a badge on a Court Bow.
Find out who is a Deputy Lieutenant.