The British Monarchy

A member of the Lord Chamberlain's Office checks the Orders, decorations and medals before every Investiture. Around 3,000 decorations and medals are presented in 22 Investitures each year. Recipients' names are held on the Central Chancery's data base which goes back to the 16th century
© Royal Collection

Lord Chamberlain's Office

Despite its name, this Department is as independent of the Lord Chamberlain as the other Departments. Formerly best known by reason of the Lord Chamberlain's function of censoring the theatre (a role originating in medieval times and abolished in 1966), the Department concentrates on arranging ceremonies such as the two inward State Visits by overseas Heads of State each year, Investitures, Garden Parties, State Opening of Parliament, Garter ceremonial and royal weddings and funerals. It is headed by the Comptroller.

Also in this Department is the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, who acts as a link between the Sovereign and the foreign missions based in the United Kingdom (currently more than 150) and the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood whose secretary co-ordinates all matters relating to honours.

The Lord Chamberlain's Office is responsible for dealing with Royal Warrants (granted to companies whose goods or services are used by some royal households) and with commercial use of royal images.

The Department is responsible for some of the most ancient traditions connected with the Monarchy. These include the Body Guards (Gentlemen at Arms, Yeoman of the Guard, 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.