![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Procession_to_Lying-in-State_of_Elizabeth_II_at_Westminster_Hall_-_41.jpg/640px-Procession_to_Lying-in-State_of_Elizabeth_II_at_Westminster_Hall_-_41.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Lord Steward
Official of the British Royal Household / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lord Steward or Lord Steward of the Household is one of the three Great Officers of the Household of the British monarch. Historically the Lord Steward presided over the Household Below Stairs, and by tradition he takes precedence over all other officers of the household.[1] Holders of the office are always peers; until 1924 they were always members of the Government,[citation needed] and until 1782 the office was one of considerable political importance and carried Cabinet rank. Lord Stewards presided at the Board of Green Cloth, until the Board of Green Cloth disappeared in the reform of local government licensing in 2004 (brought about by the Licensing Act 2003 (section 195)).
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Procession_to_Lying-in-State_of_Elizabeth_II_at_Westminster_Hall_-_41.jpg/640px-Procession_to_Lying-in-State_of_Elizabeth_II_at_Westminster_Hall_-_41.jpg)
In the Royal Household reforms of the 1920s, Lord Steward became a largely titular office; most of his one-time executive responsibilities are now carried out by the Master of the Household, who is a permanent officer and resides in the palace.[2] The Lord Steward, however, continues to be in regular attendance on State and other occasions (including State visits, State banquets, the State Opening of Parliament, State Funerals and Coronations).
Each Lord Steward receives his appointment from the Sovereign in person and bears a white staff as the emblem and warrant of his authority. The incumbent Lord Steward (appointed in 2023) is the Earl of Rosslyn.