Royal links go back to ‘Natty’ Rothschild
LATER THIS month, the Prince of Wales will make his first official visit to Israel, for Holocaust commemorations. This follows a reception last month that he hosted at Buckingham Palace. These events have brought his relationship with the Jewish community into focus.
But history shows that this is nothing new and — and that these events were eclipsed by the situation over one hundred years ago.
One hundred and thirty years ago, Lord Nathaniel ‘Natty’ Rothschild (1840-1915) made history in the relationship between the Royals and the Jewish community. His appointment in 1889 as Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire was the first time any Jew had occupied the role. Natty
Robert Voss went one step further than his Uncle, Mayer, who had been High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire.
The ‘LLs’ serve as the Queen’s ambassadors in the regions. They wear ceremonial uniform when a Royal visits their patch and perform other civic duties, such as giving out awards for volunteering and other honours. There are now 98 Lord Lieutenants, based on the county system. One of them, Robert Voss, a retired metal trader, is LL for Hertfordshire. He is thought to be the first Jew to occupy the post since Lord Rothschild.
There have also been a smattering of Jewish Deputy Lieutenants, such as Sir Samuel Montagu (1832-1911), Natty’s great rival, who was Orthodox and a banker. In the modern era, the businessman and philanthropist David Dangoor is a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London. Rothschild was not only the first Jewish LL but also the first Jew to sit in the House of Lords, after he was awarded a peer