Two Lord-Lieutenants in Northern Ireland have retired recently, viz. Lord O'Neill and Sir William Hall; both having been appointed Knight Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order.
During 2009, the Duke of Abercorn and the Lady Carswell have also relinquished the Lieutenancies of County Tyrone and the City of Belfast respectively.
In addition, the Duke has served the Queen in a personal capacity as Lord Steward of the Household. His Grace's late mother, Kathleen Duchess of Abercorn, DCVO, was Mistress of the Robes to HM Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1964-1990.
I shouldn't be at all surprised if there are conferments of Knight Grand Cross (GCVO) and Dame Commander (DCVO) to the Order.
Rev. Sir Ian R. K. Paisley, Bart., MP, MLA? Of course not, but he jolly well deserves a baronetcy (and I don't even vote DUP!); would come too late to get the kids off to Glenalmond though!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I enjoyed that.
ReplyDeleteThe Reverend Doctor can expect a life peerage, should he ever wish to retire (which is questionable!).
Thw Lady Carswell, Lately HM Lord-Lieutenant of the Co. Borough of Belfast, has been appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.
ReplyDeleteThe Very Revd Dr Houston McKelvy, Dean of Belfast, has been appointed an Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
I was a bit wide of the mark in my speculation; though I did think that she'd be dame commander.
ReplyDeleteThe Duke is already a KG though, again, may still be appointed GCVO or KCVO at a future date.