October 2025

The Kent Lieutenancy has served monarchs for five centuries. Trevor Sturgess, a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent (DL), told an audience of 30 MMF members and guests that the important role originated in Tudor times when Henry VIII sat on the throne. In the latest talk in the Maidstone Museums Friends’ shop, Fremlin Walk, on April 9, 2025, “Serving the Crown: the Right Royal story of the Kent Lieutenancy from Henry VIII to Charles III,” he outlined the history of the role that is not always widely known. It began in the 1500s with Henry’s temporary appointments until 1588 when Queen Elizabeth I appointed the first permanent Lord-Lieutenant Lord Cobham. He and his deputies had been responsible for recruiting troops and organising the defence of the county. “Good Queen Bess” so valued their contribution in thwarting the threat of a Spanish invasion via the Armada that she rewarded the Lord-Lieutenant with the permanent role.  In more recent times, the late Lord-Lieutenant Allan Willett widened the scope of the Lieutenancy by appointing DLs  from a broader range of backgrounds, including Trevor, a newspaper editor. The present Lord-Lieutenant Lady Bella Colgrain, who succeeded Lord De L’Isle of Penshurst Place, is the first woman in the role. Serving DLs include Jools Holland, Lennox Cato (Antiques Roadshow), Jonathan Neame, of long-established Faversham brewing firm Shepherd Neame, and others who have contributed significantly to Kentish life. Former Lord-Lieutenants include Lords Cornwallis, Harris and Astor, and Bank of England Governor Robin Leigh-Pemberton, later Lord Kingsdown. They hold the position for life but are required to retire at 75. Trevor said the modern role was not only to support the royal family, welcoming members to the county, but also serve Kent’s citizens, young people, the armed forces, and promote volunteering and pride in Kent. The Lord-Lieutenant and DLs attend citizenship and other important ceremonies and events. They are not paid and do it for the love of Crown and county. Trevor included amusing anecdotes and ended his talk with a Prayer for Kent by the late Very Rev Dr Robert Willis, a DL and former Dean of Canterbury “that in their upholding of truth, justice and liberty, its people may ever remain Invicta – Unconquered, an encouragement of service to our nation and a beacon of hope for all humanity.” *More information in “Unconquered: The Story of Kent and its Lieutenancy,” by David McDine.