Lord High Commissioner

As the Sovereign's personal representative Lord High Commissioners were appointed to the Parliament of the separate Kingdom of Scotland between 1603 and 1707.

The Act of Union made this function redundant, but a Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is still appointed each year, as the Sovereign's personal representative

On behalf of the Sovereign, the Lord High Commissioner attends the General Assembly, makes the opening and closing addresses to the Assembly, and carries out a number of official visits and ceremonial functions, not all related to the Church of Scotland.

While the General Assembly is meeting, the Lord High Commissioner is treated as if a regent. By custom, he is referred to as "Your Grace", and is greeted with a bow or curtsey. He resides at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is entitled, by law, to use the old royal standard of Scotland — the "lion rampant" flag, and has precedence immediately after the Sovereign, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Rothesay, ¹ and before the rest of the Royal family. Even his official car received special treatment, and, except for the Queen's, is the only vehicle in the country not to have a numberplate. However, the plate is re-attached during the closing speech of the Assembly, and the Lord High Commissioner returns to his royal but temporary residence as an ordinary citizen

See also

Church of Scotland

Notes

Precedence

At the beginning of the 20th century the Commissioner was second only to the Sovereign.

Previous Lords High Commissioner

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2004	Lord Steel of Aikwood (reappointed)	formerly Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament
2003	Lord Steel of Aikwood	formerly Mr David Steel MP
2002
2001	Viscount Younger of Leckie	Former Secretary of State for Scotland (as George Younger MP)
2000	The Prince Charles, the Duke of Rothesay
1997	Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden
1934 ? 35	John Buchan, 1st Baron Tweedsmuir	Author (The 39 Steps)