Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands to Abdicate

In an address to the nation Queen Beatrix announced she is abdicating the Dutch Throne in favour of her son Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange. The Act of Abdication will be signed on the 30th of April 2013. Prince Willem-Alexander will become the first male Monarch in a 123 Years. Prince Willem-Alexander’s Daughter Princess Catharina-Amalia will become the first Princess of Orange in her own right and one day will inherit the Throne herself. The idea of Dutch Monarchs abdicating is not a new one both Queen Beatrix’s Mother Queen Juliana and Grandmother Queen Wilhelmina abdicated so their heirs could inherit the throne.

New Life Peer

On the 21st of January 2013, John Alfred Stoddard Nash was elevated to the title of Baron Nash of Ewelme in the County of Oxfordshire. Under the Life Peerage Act 1958 and will sit in the House of Lords as a Conservative.

New Privy Councillors of the United Kingdom

Her Majesty the Queen approved the following people members of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council.
The Honourable Lady Dorrian QC
The Honourable Lady Smith QC
The Honourable Lord Brodie QC

New Member of the United Kingdom Privy Council

Her Majesty the Queen approved the following person member of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council.
The Hon Lindsay Hoyle MP

New Lord Lieutenant for Clwyd

Mr Henry George Fetherstonhaugh OBE DL has been appointed by the Queen to become Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd following the retirement of Mr Trevor Jones CVO CBE.

New Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Angus

Georgiana Osborne, Lord-Lieutenant of Angus commissioned the following to become Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Angus.
The Countess of Southesk
Mr Malcolm Taylor
Dr Andrew McKendrick
Mr Andrew Welsh

New Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Reverend Mary Bide to be a Chaplain to Her Majesty within the Royal Ecclesiastical Household in succession to the Reverend Canon Glyn Webster.

New Chaplain to Her Majesty the Queen

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed the Reverend Canon Jeremy Haselock to be a Chaplain to Her Majesty within the Royal Ecclesiastical Household in succession to the Reverend Canon Christopher Samuels.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s Pregnancy Update

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced that they are expecting a baby in July ending the rumours the Duchess is having twins.

New Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Dorset

Mrs Anthony Pitt-Pivers, Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset commissioned the following to become a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Dorset.
David Hugh Jenkins Esq

New Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent

Viscount De l’Isle MBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Kent commissioned the following to become Deputy Lieutenants of the County of Kent.
Mr Jacques Arnold
His Honour Judge Jeremy Reynolds Carey
Mr Richard Ian Henderson JP
Mr Jonathan Beale Neame

Queen Approves New Rules for Royal Styles and Titles

On the 31st of December 2012 Her Majesty the Queen has approved a Letter Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm declaring that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.

New Privy Councillors of the United Kingdom

Her Majesty the Queen approved the following people members of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council.
The Rt Hon. The Lord Henley
The Rt Hon. The Lord Brabazon of Tara DL
The Rt Hon. The Earl Howe
The Rt Hon. The Lord Williams of Elvel CBE

New Companion of Honour

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed The Rt Hon. The Lord Strathclyde PC a member of the Order of Companions of Honour (CH) for his service to the British Parliament.

New Member of the United Kingdom Privy Council

Her Majesty the Queen approved the following person member of Her Majesty’s most Honourable Privy Council.
The Rt Hon. The Lord Hill of Oareford CBE

Queen Appoints New Gentleman Usher

Her Majesty the Queen has appointed Air Vice-Marshal Richard Lacey CBE to be Gentleman Usher following the retirement of Air Vice-Marshal Richard Kyle CB LVO MBE, who will be made an Extra Gentleman Usher.

New Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire

Lt Col Patrick Holcroft OBE DL has been appointed by the Queen to become Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire succeeding the late Michael Brinton CVO.