Service Description: The Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight is Major General Martin White CB CBE JP. The Lord-Lieutenant is an honorary office appointed by Her Majesty The Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister. He is the permanent representative of the Crown on the Isle of Wight. The post is non-political and unpaid.
Answer: The Lord-Lieutenant’s first and foremost duty is to uphold the dignity of the crown. As the monarch’s representative the Lord-Lieutenant attends and is responsible for all royal visits to the Island, presents medals and awards on behalf of the Queen, advises on submissions for honours nominations, prepares guest lists of Island residents for royal garden parties and advises on matters concerning the crown. In more general terms he seeks to support the community on the Isle of Wight with a particular emphasis on the voluntary sector and major events, for example the Island Games in 2011. In addition to being honorary, the role of the Lieutenancy, with its links to the Crown, is also unpaid and non-political.