|
As the Sovereign's personal representative Lord High Commissioners were appointed to the Parliament of the separate Kingdom of Scotland between 1603 and 1707.
The Act of Union made this function redundant, but a Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is still appointed each year, as the Sovereign's personal representative
On behalf of the Sovereign, the Lord High Commissioner attends the General Assembly, makes the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, and carries out a number of official visits and ceremonial functions, not all related to the Church of Scotland.
While the General Assembly is meeting, the Lord High Commissioner is treated as if a regent. By custom, he is referred to as "Your Grace", and is greeted with a bow or curtsey. He resides at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is entitled, by law, to use the old royal standard of Scotland — the "lion rampant" flag, and has precedence immediately after the Sovereign, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Rothesay, 1 and before the rest of the Royal family. Even his official car received special treatment, and, except for the Queen's, is the only vehicle in the country not to have a numberplate. However, the plate is re-attached during the closing speech of the Assembly, and the Lord High Commissioner returns to his royal but temporary residence as an ordinary citizen
See also
Church of Scotland
Notes
Precedence
At the beginning of the 20th century the Commissioner was second only to the Sovereign.
Previous Lords High Commissioner
|
