Lord Luce appointed High Steward of Westminster
Friday, 4th February 2011
Lord Luce has been appointed High Steward of Westminster. He succeeds Lord Hurd who is retiring.
The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, said:
Lord Hurd, who has been High Steward of Westminster since 2000, mentioned to me last autumn that he wished to stand down from the appointment when a successor could be found.
He has brought to his association with the Abbey most distinguished experience of political and public service and has been a true friend to the Dean and Chapter and to the collegiate body. We are immensely grateful to him. We shall look forward to welcoming Lord Luce as his successor.
Following service as a Member of Parliament and Minister, Richard Luce became Governor of Gibraltar and then, until 2008, Lord Chamberlain to HM The Queen.
Amongst other responsibilities, as an active Crossbencher in the House of Lords, he is President of the Royal Overseas League. Lord Luce was appointed GCVO in 2000 and a Knight of the Garter in 2008.
Lord Luce said:
It is a huge privilege to succeed Douglas Hurd as High Steward. I am conscious of the great and lengthy history of the Abbey and look forward to taking up my duties in early March.
The High Steward is appointed by the Dean and Chapter on the nomination of the Dean.
