Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant

Lord-Lieutenant Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher

The Lord-Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire is Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher. He is also the Chief Magistrate of the County and Chairman of the Advisory Committee.

A Lord-Lieutenant is the Queen's local representative. They are unpaid and administrative support is provided by the County Council. Each Lord-Lieutenant has a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Buckinghamshire's is Mrs Jenny Hopkirk. Buckinghamshire also has 44 Deputy Lieutenants.

Duties of the Lord-Lieutenant include:

Arranging visits by members of the Royal family
Presenting medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty
Participating in civic, voluntary and social activities
Liaising with local units of Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated cadet forces
Leading the local magistracy by chairing Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace

History

The office of Lord-Lieutenant started in the military during the reign of Henry VIII. After 1535 there was discontent and rebellion in some parts of the country. To make local forces effective, the Crown commissioned Lieutenants to command the levies of one or more counties in times of emergency. The Lieutenant was responsible for the maintenance of order and defence. By 1569, Deputy Lieutenants were created, pro rata to population, and continue today. In 1871 the Regulation of the Forces Act removed the military from the Lord-Lieutenant’s direct control although until 1921 they were able to call on all able bodied men to fight in an emergency.