Introduction: What are the Great Officers of State and how are they appointed?
The Great Officers of State are traditional Crown ministers who either inherit or are nominated by the monarch to perform mostly ceremonial functions or to serve as members of the government. They date back to medieval times when they were responsible for both home and governmental obligations. Some of these positions are now vacant or inactive, while others remain active and significant. The Lord High Steward, Lord High Chancellor, Lord High Treasurer, Lord President of the Council, Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal, Lord Great Chamberlain, Lord High Constable, and Earl Marshal are the Great Officers of State for England. Also, Lord High Admiral is a Great Officer of State for the entire United Kingdom.
The Lord High Steward: The highest-ranking official and presiding judge in impeachment proceedings.
In order of precedence, the Lord High Steward is the first of the Great Officers of State. He is in charge of overseeing the coronation ritual and presiding over peer trials in the House of Lords. The office is normally vacant and is only occupied during coronations or impeachments. The last time a Lord High Steward was appointed was during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. The most recent impeachment trial was in 1806, when Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville was accused of misusing public funds.
The Lord High Chancellor: The keeper of the Great Seal and the head of the judiciary
In order of precedence, the Lord High Chancellor is the second of the Great Officers of State. He is the custodian of England’s Great Seal, which is used to authenticate official papers and royal proclamations. The Lord High Chancellor is both the head of the judiciary and the Speaker of the House of Lords. He is in charge of appointing judges and top legal professionals. He also serves as a senior cabinet minister and advises the king on constitutional problems. Dominic Raab MP, the current Lord High Chancellor, is also the Secretary of State for Justice.
The Lord High Treasurer: The chief financial officer and the leader of the Treasury
In terms of precedence, the Lord High Treasurer is the third of the Great Officers of State. He is in charge of overseeing governmental expenditure and managing the Crown’s finances and income. He also has a ceremonial role by giving the monarch a symbolic purse at their coronation. Since 1714, the post has been held in trust by the Treasury, a board of Lords Commissioners led by two ministers: the Prime Minister as First Lord of the Treasury and the Chancellor of the Exchequer as Second Lord of the Treasury. Boris Johnson MP is the current Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, and Rishi Sunak MP is the Chancellor and Second Lord.
The Lord President of the Council: The Privy Council’s presiding officer and a senior cabinet member.
In terms of precedence, the Lord President of the Council is fourth among Great Officers. The Lord President presides over meetings of the Privy Council, which advises the king on state concerns such as issuing orders council, giving royal charters, and approving top official appointments. He also has the authority to nominate members to several committees and councils dealing with education, health, trade, and other matters. He usually does a good job with another cabinet position. Penny Mordaunt is the current House Commons Leader.
The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal is a senior cabinet member who serves as the curator of the Privy Seal.
The Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal is the fifth Great Officer in the order of precedence. He was the curator of the Privy Seal, which was used to seal confidential letters and patents from the queen. The Lord Keeper is also in charge of appointing members of the House of Lords and other dignitaries. He usually does a good job with another cabinet position. current Nicholas True, Baron True, is the House Lords’ Leader.
The Lord Great Chamberlain: master ceremonies overseer royal residences
The Lord Great Chamberlain is the sixth Great Officer in the order of precedence. He masters royal events such as opening Parliament, state visits coronations, and bears a sword state supports the monarch’s robes crown. He also supervises royal residences such as Palace Westminster, where he has the authority to benefit from rentals, and wardenship Tower London, where he appoints Constable Tower London Yeoman Warders. The hereditary office is alternatively held by two branches: Marquess Cholmondeley and Baron Carrington. Rupert Carington, 7th Baron Carrington, is the current holder.
The Lord High Constable: The supreme commander of the armed forces and the patron of chivalry.
In order of precedence, the Lord High Constable is the sixth of the Great Officers of State. He is the supreme commander of the armed forces and has the right to impose martial law. He also had authority over all chivalric concerns, such as the regulation of coats of arms and the admittance of knights. The office is normally unoccupied and is only occupied at coronations or other state functions. The last time a Lord High Constable was appointed was for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
The Earl Marshal: The chief heraldic authority and the organizer of state ceremonies
In order of precedence, the Earl Marshal is the seventh of the Great Officers of State. He is the chief heraldic authority, and he is in charge of the College of Arms, which issues and registers coats of arms. Also, He also plans major events including coronations, state funerals, and royal weddings. He has the authority to summon courts of chivalry and honor to settle heraldry and precedence issues. The Duke of Norfolk holds the hereditary position. Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk, is the current Earl Marshal.
The Lord High Admiral: The supreme commander of the navy and the head of maritime affairs
The Lord High Admiral is a Great Officer of State for the entire United Kingdom. He is the Navy’s supreme commander and has authority over all maritime concerns, including naval discipline, admiralty law, and naval appointments. He also plays a ceremonial function in presenting the monarch with a golden spur upon their coronation. The monarch has held the office since 1964, except for a brief period between 2011 to 2017 when it was granted to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Conclusion: What are the tasks and responsibilities of the Great Officers of State in the coronation?
The Great Officers of State play an essential role in the coronation process, a solemn and ancient rite in which the king is invested with regalia and crowned as sovereign. During the event, the Great Officers have a variety of tasks and obligations, such as carrying or presenting symbols of royal authority, aiding or escorting the monarch, or performing specific acts or services. Some of these positions are passed down via families, while others are appointed by the monarch or by custom. Depending on their post and level, the Great Officers have additional roles and duties outside of the coronation ceremony.
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