Berkshire’s new Lord-Lieutenant is a Coachmaker

Andrew Try reports on his first month as Lord Lieutenant for the county of Berkshire.

Lieutenants were first created by Henry VIII in 1545 to muster the county militias for the defence of the realm. They had powers to lead the militia in the field and to raise forces locally. The Lord-Lieutenant’s role was literally to ‘stand in for’ the king, in the battlefield and elsewhere.

Today every county has a Lord-Lieutenant who is appointed by the King to be his personal representative. He is assisted by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and by Deputy Lieutenants – currently 29 in Berkshire.

As The King’s representative in the county, it is the Lord-Lieutenant’s first and foremost duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown. In addition to his specific tasks, he follows the example of the Royal Family in promoting a good atmosphere and a spirit of co-operation through the encouragement he gives to voluntary service and charitable organisations, and by the interest he takes in the business, industrial and social life of the county.

His role is strictly non-political and the Lord-Lieutenant, Vice Lord-Lieutenant and all Deputy Lieutenants are unpaid. All remain strictly neutral in political matters, both national and local.

I have been in post since 23rd October following James Puxley, and will remain until my 75th birthday, the moment at which every Lord Lieutenant retires.