Lord-in-waiting


Lords-in-Waiting are peers who hold office in the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. In the official Court Circular they are styled 'Lord in Waiting' or 'Baroness in Waiting'.
There are two kinds of Lord in Waiting: political appointees by the government of the day who serve as junior government whips in the House of Lords ; and non-political appointments by the monarch. Baronesses and Lords in Waiting may be called upon periodically to represent the Sovereign; for example, one of their number is regularly called upon to greet visiting Heads of State on arrival at an airport at the start of a State or official visit, and they may then play a role in accompanying them for the duration of their stay. They are also occasionally in attendance on other State or royal occasions. 'Extra' Lords in Waiting may also be appointed, supernumerary to the regular appointees, who fulfil a similar role; for example, the Baroness Rawlings, whose appointment as a government whip ceased in 2012, has since then served as an Extra Baroness in Waiting, and has continued to represent The Queen on certain occasions.
In addition, the honour of serving as a Permanent Lord in Waiting is occasionally bestowed on very senior courtiers following their retirement. A Permanent Lord in Waiting may also represent the Sovereign, as often happens at funerals or memorial services for former courtiers.

Political appointments

Most Baronesses and Lords in Waiting serve as government whips in the House of Lords. Being members of the government, they are appointed by the Sovereign on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and invariably relinquish their position when there is a change of government.
Currently, there are six Lords and Baronesses in Waiting who serve as junior whips in the House of Lords:
PortfolioNameSince
Lords in waitingThe Viscount Younger of Leckie14 May 2015
Lords in waitingThe Lord Bethell29 July 2019
Lords in waitingThe Lord Parkinson of Whitley13 February 2020
Baroness in waitingThe Baroness Berridge of The Vale of Catmose19 March 2020
Baroness in waitingThe Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist29 July 2019
Baroness in waitingThe Baroness Scott of Bybrook13 February 2020
Baroness in waiting--

Non-political appointments

Alongside the political appointees two non-political Lords in Waiting are always appointed, at the personal discretion of the sovereign.
Those currently serving in this capacity are:
PortfolioNameSince
Personal Lord in WaitingThe Viscount Brookeborough1 May 1997
Personal Lord in WaitingThe Viscount Hood30 July 2008

Additional appointments

Any additional appointees are termed Extra Lords in Waiting.
Those currently serving in this capacity are:
PortfolioNameSince
Extra Baroness in WaitingBaroness Rawlings2012
Extra Lord in WaitingLord St John of Bletso19 March 1998
Extra Lord in WaitingLord Denham19 March 1998

Permanent Lords-in-Waiting

Permanent Lords in Waiting are retired senior officials of the Royal Household. Those serving in this capacity include:
PortfolioNameSinceFormerly
Permanent Lord in WaitingThe Lord Vesty1 August 2019Former Master of the Horse
Permanent Lord in WaitingLord Geidt4 March 2019Former Private Secretary to The Queen
Permanent Lord in WaitingLord Janvrin13 November 2007Former Private Secretary to The Queen
Permanent Lord in WaitingLord Luce16 July 2007Former Lord Chamberlain
Permanent Lord in WaitingLord CamoysFormer Lord Chamberlain
Permanent Lord in WaitingThe Earl of Airlie17 December 1997Former Lord Chamberlain