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Royal Household departments

Procession down the Mall for the State Opening of Parliament

The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is involved in organising Royal ceremonies such as the annual State Opening of Parliament
© Press Association

THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S OFFICE

The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is responsible for organising Royal ceremonial events.

Despite its name, the Lord Chamberlain’s Office is as independent of the Lord Chamberlain as the other departments. It is headed by the Comptroller.

The department is responsible for managing the two inward State Visits by overseas Heads of State each year, Investitures, garden parties, the State Opening of Parliament, the ceremonial for the annual ceremony of the Garter. It also organises Royal weddings and funerals.

The office includes the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps. He acts as a link between the Sovereign and the Diplomatic Heads of Mission based in the United Kingdom (currently more than 150).

The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, another part of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, co-ordinates all matters relating to honours, including the distribution of insignia.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is responsible for dealing with Royal warrants which are granted to companies whose goods or services are used by some Royal households.

It also authorises commercial use of Royal photographs and emblems, particularly those connected with Royal anniversaries.

The department is responsible for some of the most ancient traditions connected with the Monarchy.

The Royal Household
	Royal Household departments Procession down the Mall for the State Opening of Parliament The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is involved in organising Royal ceremonies such as the annual State Opening of Parliament © Press Association THE LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S OFFICE The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is responsible for organising Royal ceremonial events. Despite its name, the Lord Chamberlain’s Office is as independent of the Lord Chamberlain as the other departments. It is headed by the Comptroller. The department is responsible for managing the two inward State Visits by overseas Heads of State each year, Investitures, garden parties, the State Opening of Parliament, the ceremonial for the annual ceremony of the Garter. It also organises Royal weddings and funerals. The office includes the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps. He acts as a link between the Sovereign and the Diplomatic Heads of Mission based in the United Kingdom (currently more than 150). The Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, another part of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, co-ordinates all matters relating to honours, including the distribution of insignia. The Lord Chamberlain’s Office is responsible for dealing with Royal warrants which are granted to companies whose goods or services are used by some Royal households. It also authorises commercial use of Royal photographs and emblems, particularly those connected with Royal anniversaries. The department is responsible for some of the most ancient traditions connected with the Monarchy.
How the Monarchy works? Queen and State Queen and public Queen and Commonwealth Ceremony and symbol Royal finances	Did you know? In previous centuries the Lord Chamberlain’s Office had the task of censoring the theatre. All plays to be performed upon the British stage had to be approved by readers from this department. The role was finally abolished in 1966. These include the Royal Body Guards (the Gentlemen at Arms, Yeoman of the Guard and the Royal Company of Archers), the Crown Jewels, and The Queen’s ownership of swans on a stretch of the River Thames. It also handles all matters of protocol and certain Household appointments. A special section of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office comprises the team based in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace. Managed by the Crown Equerry, this team co-ordinates road transport for The Queen and other members of the Royal Family by horse-drawn carriage at major ceremonial occasions, as well as routine journeys by car. Next section Have you seen… Recruitment Information about working for the Royal Household Ceremonies Colourful pomp and historic pageantry