Duchess of Northumberland steps down as Lord-Lieutenant after 15 years

Northumberland is set to welcome a new Lord-Lieutenant as The Duchess of Northumberland hands over the role next month.

Dr Caroline Pryer becomes only the second woman in the county to be given the centuries-old role, and will become the monarch's ceremonial representative for the county on May 1. Dr Pryer has been a Deputy Lieutenant since 2010 and Vice Lord Lieutenant for the county since 2021.

She has been the chair of Berwick RNLI twice, a local magistrate, and became a head teacher in Northumberland in 2003, most recently at Ponteland Community Primary School, the village where she lives with her husband David. She said it was a "great honour and privilege" to succeed the Duchess of Northumberland.

• Read more: Northumberland man planning to sail the world in a boat he built from scratch with no experience
  

• Keep up to date with all the latest local news from Northumberland with our free newsletter

Dr Pryer said: "I am greatly looking forward to working with my Lieutenancy team, Deputy Lieutenants and Vice Lord-Lieutenant, continuing our work with the King’s Award for Voluntary Services and King’s Award for Enterprise and meeting local people and celebrating their valuable contribution to their communities."

There are 98 Lord Lieutenants across the UK, stretching from the Shetland Islands to Cornwall. They were first appointed in King Henry VIII's reign to take over the military duties of High Sheriffs and control the armed forces of the crown.

Centuries later, that role has changed and aside from acting as the King representative for the county and covering Royal visits, the Lord-Lieutenant has a community role to support initiatives that help the region and to recognise people and organisations that help others. The Lieutenancy also support the Honours system, including the presenting of British Empire Medals and the King's Awards for Voluntary Service.

The Duchess of Northumberland said it had been an honour to hold the role for a decade-and-a-half, but felt it was the right time to step down. She said: "I have been honoured to have welcomed many members of the Royal Family to show them our wonderful county and communities, but the visit of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to Alnwick back in 2011 was extremely special.

"They attended a garden party to celebrate and thank local care givers then went on a walk around the town. Alnwick was buzzing with excitement, the sun was shining, and thousands of people turned out to give their Royal Highnesses such a warm welcome - it was a really special day for so many people."

She added: "After 15 years, I feel now is the right time for me to step down and pass on the mantle to the very capable hands of Dr Caroline Pryer. She brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to serving the community and has so much to offer the county.

"There is so much more I want to do, and I have recently started working with a specialist team to take Lilidorei to other corners of the globe which will involve both time and travelling."

Coun Glen Sanderson, leader of Northumberland County Council, thanked the Duchess of Northumberland for her time as Lord Lieutenant. He said: "The Duchess takes a great interest in Northumberland and its people, and we thank her sincerely for giving up her time so freely, over so many years in her role as Lord Lieutenant.

"Representing the late Queen Elizabeth II and then King Charles III, Her Grace carried out such valuable work to cherish, thank and shine a spotlight on the many inspirational volunteers and welfare organisations who work tirelessly to help others. We extend a very warm welcome to Dr Pryer in her new role and look forward to working with her over the coming years."