HISTORIC POST DATES BACK TO TIME OF KING HENRY VIII
Haughey is Her Majesty’s representative in Lanarkshire and spoke about her role to our reporter Stefanie (inset) Lady Susan Haughey is Lanarkshire’s 22nd Lord Lieutenant, following Mushtaq Ahmad OBE.
Lord Lieutenants were first appointed by King Henry VIII to assume the military duties of the Sheriff.
Today, the Queen appoints Lord Lieutenants, on the advice of the Prime Minister, to be her representative in their counties.
Their duties are varied and include organising and escorting all official royal visits to their counties; presenting decorations when the recipient is unable to attend an investiture, presenting the Queen’s Awards for export and technology, and Queen’s Scout and Guide awards.
Lord Lieutenants also have the honour of briefing the Queen’s private office about issues relating to their counties, assisting in royal garden parties, and assessing nominations for The Queen’s award for voluntary service.
In Lanarkshire, the Lord Lieutenant also officiates at diamond wedding anniversaries, 100th birthday celebrations and citizenship ceremonies.
Lady Haughey’s predecessor, Mr Ahmad, was appointed to the role back in 2010.
He had previously served as a local councillor, for almost two decades, with Hamilton District and South Lanarkshire Council.
He was also elected Provost of South Lanarkshire in 2003 and, as Scotland’s first Asian provost, held this post until his retirement in 2007.
Lanarkshire’s longestserving Lord Lieutenant to date is Alexander Hamilton, 10th Duke of Hamilton.
He held the position from his appointment in November 1802 until he passed away August 1852 at the age of 84.