Proud to serve

The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt. Revd Paul Butler, said Sir Andrew had ‘served the county royally’.

The Bishop’s tribute was made during a Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration in Southwell Minster attended by more than 700 guests representing many different aspects of life across the county.

The Band of the Coldstream Guards, from Sir Andrew’s Regiment, played during the service. Colonel Tim Richmond, Vice-Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, expressed thanks and admiration for Sir Andrew’s 21 years of ‘dedicated and sublime service to the Sovereign and the County’, and the support he had received from his wife Belinda, who is a Deputy Lieutenant in her own right.

“Sir Andrew is currently the longest serving Lord-Lieutenant in England, Wales and Scotland and he has hosted over 129 Royal visits in the 21 years and how fitting that the last one was the wonderful visit of Her Majesty the Queen and their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Nottingham to celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee,” he said.

“These visits have included 288 venues in the city and county bringing joy and recognition to so many people from all aspects of the life of the county.”

“He has the ability to make those he meets feel welcome and important whatever their calling or background and to each he gives a courteous ear and genuine attention making the event so much more special.”

Special tributes included a personal message from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the entire Household of Clarence House. This is featured in a specially bound volume highlighting Sir Andrew and Lady Buchanan’s 21 years of dedication to duty.

The new Lord-Lieutenant Sir John Peace, from Caunton, will take over on 23rd July.