Having a right Royal time as Derbyshire’s Lord-Lieutenant

Three years ago tomorrow, Elizabeth Fothergill CBE, chair of Pennine Healthcare, became the first ever female Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

During that time, she has travelled the length and breadth of the county, meeting and recognising those who make a valuable contribution to our society.

She has also chaperoned Royals during visits to the city and county, attended Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen’s state funeral and the King’s Coronation.

Here, in her own words, she explains what the Derbyshire Lieutenancy is – and why she believes there is no better job.

It was with a sense of great joy, tempered with sincere humility and a degree of imposter syndrome when I awoke on 29 July 2020 to know that overnight I had become the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

My predecessor, Mr Willie Tucker CVO, had reached his 75th birthday (the retirement age for Lord-Lieutenants).

There’s no swearing in, no formal ceremony just the smooth transition of a role that has been in operation for more than 500 years.

A few days later, a beautiful badge of office arrived, and later I acquired a smart military uniform. We were off on the adventure of a lifetime!

So, what is the job? First a little history. The office has its origins in the Tudor period.

King Henry VIII gave a commission of lieutenancy to a number of noblemen to raise and lead the local militia in the event of a Scottish or French invasion.

In 1550, Parliament approved the principle that lieutenants should be appointed “for the suppressing of any commotion, rebellions or unlawful assemblies”.

When threatened by the Spanish Armada in 1588, Queen Elizabeth’s government issued commissions of lieutenancy for all the English and Welsh counties. These tended to be for life!

Since the office of lieutenant was the preserve of the titled aristocracy, any holder came to be known as Lord-Lieutenant (not now Lady-Lieutenant as I am often asked!).

It was only in 1921 that the Militia Act finally removed from the Lord-Lieutenants their responsibility for enforcing order. Well, that’s a relief!

In the 21st Century, the Lord-Lieutenant is an honorary office appointed by the Crown under letters patent, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. Mine was signed by Boris Johnson.

Derbyshire records list the first Lord-Lieutenant as the Earl of Huntington in the 1580s.

For at least 300 years the title has been held almost exclusively by the Cavendish family, the Dukes of Devonshire.

I am therefore the first woman to hold the post. What an honour, what a responsibility!

Here then are the formal requirements of the post:

“As the Sovereign’s representative in the county, the Lord-Lieutenant is required to attend the Monarch and Members of The Royal Family on visits to the county.

“The fundamental principle of the office is to be The Monarch’s representative to uphold the dignity of the Crown and seek to promote a spirit of co-operation by the encouragement of the voluntary services and by taking an active interest in the business, industrial and social life of the county.

“The Lord-Lieutenant’s role is, like the Monarch’s, essentially non-political.”

A wide job description – but one that encompasses so much breadth and variety.

Every day offers new opportunities to meet and engage with the amazing people and organisations who make the city of Derby and the county of Derbyshire such wonderful places to live, work and do business.

It could not be more of a pleasure and privilege to have endless doors opened and to see the wondrous things that people do.

A key part of the role is to support Royal visits and already in 2023, we have been fortunate to have had four marvellous visits from the Princess of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and most recently the Princess Royal.

Visits are often the result of a competitive bidding process, requiring microscopically detailed planning, each element and route timetabled down to the last minute and biographies provided for each person to whom the Royal will be presented.

The fantastic Lieutenancy office at Derbyshire Dales Council undertake several recces of each venue and work closely with the Royal Household protection team and Derbyshire Police who take responsibility for transport, safety and security of the Royal visitors within the county.

We are enormously well supported by our wonderful constabulary.

On the last visit I had the experience of being in the second car, which was escorted by six police outriders, meaning we did not stop at traffic islands or red lights.

It was amazing how it cut down the journey time – and I had to remind myself as I drove home that red now does mean stop!

Yes, these visits take enormous resource, but are they worth it?

In my experience, the value of a Royal visit is incalculable.

Volunteers are thanked, feel valued and rewarded. A few words with a Royal can uplift a whole department and work wonders for staff morale, motivation and even retention.

The magic dust is still there in bucket loads. These hard-working Royals are knowledgeable, well-informed, interested and bring a palpable sense of joy and excitement I have rarely seen elsewhere.

Of course, as well as the Royal visits, this last year has given me privileged access to events on a national stage – unprecedented and unique moments in our nation’s history.

After national rejoicing and happiness of the Platinum jubilee celebrations, too soon we heard of the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Many tears were shed on that news – but I was soon required to take media calls, give interviews and work with other civic leaders to deliver the long-established plan in place to follow the death of a monarch and the proclamation of the new King.

I was able to visit the Lying in State at Westminster Hall and I the attended the funeral of her late Majesty in Westminster Abbey.

These were occasions of great solemnity, a coming together of a nation in grief and gratitude for an incredible 70 years of dedicated service by Her Majesty, our selfless figurehead and defender.

The beauty of the funeral service, the sublime music in the abbey, the discipline and skills of our armed forces, gave me an overwhelming sense of awe and respect for our traditions, our ability to make things happen with grace and style, the world watching British history in the making and I had the incredible honour to represent the people of Derbyshire and bear witness.

A more joyous moment in May this year was to be seated again in Westminster Abbey to witness the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.

It was a real “Pinch me. Am I here?” moment.

An early start but a front row seat, I could have reached out and touched the King.

Brilliant ceremonial uniforms, lustrous fabrics, glittering jewels, no superlatives can over exaggerate the glory and splendour, the exquisite uplifting music, the centuries old traditions mixed with innovative ideas to bring inclusivity – a new start in a diverse, vibrant Britain. The epitome of sheer joy.

Of course, much of the day job is less glamorous but can be equally thrilling and worthwhile.

We, as a team (I am supported by some amazing Deputy Lieutenants), work hard to promote and validate National Honours.

I present British Empire Medals, which is the opportunity to meet some exceptional people who have dedicated their lives to serving their communities. It is humbling and enriching.

Similarly, we seek to shine a light on our tremendous voluntary organisations through the King’s award for Voluntary Service, which is an MBE for charities.

What an amazing voluntary sector we have. Last year, nine Derbyshire organisations received this prestigious award.

As I visited them all, I learned so much about the passion and dedication of the voluntary sector. They truly are the glue that keeps our society together.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise winners are also increasing in number locally.

With the guidance of a hardworking and innovative group, including current and recently retired senior executives from Toyota, the vice chancellor of the University of Derby and the managing director Marketing Derby, along with other brilliant entrepreneurs, we will continue to go from strength to strength in showcasing our world-class commercial and industrial sector.

Receiving a King’s Award is proven to not only reward and motivate the staff and uplift morale but has a proven benefit in increasing trade both at home and abroad.

A special part of my role is to support the armed services, cadets and veterans.

A particular  delight this year is that all of my amazing Lord-Lieutenant’s cadets (Army, Air Force, Sea and CCF) are female and have supported me at many events across the county.

It is remarkable to see the practical support given to veterans and their families by the Royal British Legion, SSAFA and the Ex-Servicemen’s Association.

I am proud to be president of these organisations – most especially as we honour the fallen together on Remembrance Day and ensure the sacrifices of the many will never be forgotten.

Recognising and celebrating public service and achievement is a huge part of the job.

Police and Fire Service Awards, our hardworking Magistracy, all the wonderful young people’s uniformed organisations, citizenship ceremonies, university degree ceremonies, school speech days.

I attend services at Derby Cathedral, chapels, churches, temples and gurdwaras, visit missions, food banks, endless charities, giving thanks for the caring passionate contribution freely given by so many to improve the lives of their fellow citizens.

Planting trees for the Queen’s Green Canopy has been a particular joy over the last 18 months, especially at schools. The enthusiasm and excitement of children is infectious.

Every new day across the whole of our large and diverse county I get the chance to say, ‘thank you’, to congratulate and applaud all that is good and meet remarkable people.

Could there be a more tremendous job? I very much doubt it.