William’sSCT key role with Kirk
He’ll be Queen’s representative again – at crucial time for Union
PRINCE William has been appointed Lord high Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland for a second year by the Queen.
he was given the key role as the sovereign’s representative in 2020, but the week-long annual General Assembly in edinburgh last May was cancelled because of the pandemic.
his appointment this year was announced by Downing Street yesterday.
The decision is made on the advice of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
It comes at a crucial time for the Union, with the Scottish Government yesterday publishing a draft Bill for a second vote on independence.
Second in line to the throne William, the Duke of Cambridge, is taking on the role this year following the furore generated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in their interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey.
harry and Meghan accused the Royal Family of racism and the institution of failing to help the suicidal duchess.
William will travel to Scotland in May to host the Church of Scotland online event in person – as one of the principal officers – at the General Assembly hall in edinburgh.
The commission granted by the Queen is specific to Scotland, so the Lord high Commissioner must be present in Scotland to perform the role.
William – known as the earl of Strathearn north of the Border – will also make the opening and closing addresses at the General Assembly and carry out a number of official functions as the Lord high Commissioner.
he will also report to the Queen on the proceedings.
Monarchs have sworn to maintain the Church of
Scotland since the 16th century.
The duty to ‘preserve the settlement of the true Protestant religion as established by the laws made in Scotland’ was affirmed in the 1707 Act of Union between england and Scotland.
The Queen made this pledge at the first Privy Council meeting of her reign in February 1952.
The Queen appoints a figure to the Lord high Commissioner role every year.
Other members of the Royal Family who have carried out the duty include the Princess Royal, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the earl of Wessex.
In April, William wrote to the Right Reverend Colin Sinclair, the outgoing Moderator of the General Assembly, praising the work of the Church of Scotland.
he said: ‘It is heartening to see how the Church of Scotland, like so many other faith communities across the country, is re-inventing itself digitally to continue providing worship, support and guidance for your congregations.’
‘Support and guidance’