Court of St. James's
Encyclopedia
The Court of St James's is the royal court
of the United Kingdom
. It previously had the same function in the Kingdom of England
(before 1707) and in the Kingdom of Great Britain
(1707–1800).
, which is the senior Palace of the Sovereign, currently Queen Elizabeth II
. It remains the official residence of the British Monarchy
, despite Queen Victoria
's moving to Buckingham Palace
after her accession in 1837.
Although St James's Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign, the Court moves with the Queen. As Buckingham Palace is the official London
residence, the court and consequently meetings of the Privy Council occur there, as the Queen does not live at St James's. During her extended stays at Windsor Castle
(typically during Easter
), Sandringham
during Christmas, and at Holyrood Palace
or Balmoral Castle
in Scotland
in the summer, the Court will be at Windsor, Sandringham, Holyrood or Balmoral. When the Queen travels overseas in her role as Queen of the United Kingdom, the court also travels with her.
All Ambassador
s and High Commissioner
s to the United Kingdom
are accredited
to and received at the Court of St. James's and, as it would not be feasible to do this to a moving Court, a static name was needed. The official residence was therefore chosen because the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps
(before 1920, Master of the Ceremonies
), who acts as the link between the Queen and the foreign diplomatic missions, is permanently based there.
In 2009 there were 172 foreign missions accredited to the Court of St James's in London. This total was made up of 46 high commissions
(missions from other Commonwealth countries) and 128 embassies (missions from foreign, meaning non-Commonwealth, countries).
Royal court
Royal court, as distinguished from a court of law, may refer to:* The Royal Court , Timbaland's production company*Court , the household and entourage of a monarch or other ruler, the princely court...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It previously had the same function in the Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
(before 1707) and in the Kingdom of Great Britain
Kingdom of Great Britain
The former Kingdom of Great Britain, sometimes described as the 'United Kingdom of Great Britain', That the Two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, shall upon the 1st May next ensuing the date hereof, and forever after, be United into One Kingdom by the Name of GREAT BRITAIN. was a sovereign...
(1707–1800).
Overview
The Court of St. James's is named after St. James's PalaceSt. James's Palace
St. James's Palace is one of London's oldest palaces. It is situated in Pall Mall, just north of St. James's Park. Although no sovereign has resided there for almost two centuries, it has remained the official residence of the Sovereign and the most senior royal palace in the UK...
, which is the senior Palace of the Sovereign, currently Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. It remains the official residence of the British Monarchy
British monarchy
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
, despite Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
's moving to Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
after her accession in 1837.
Although St James's Palace is the official residence of the Sovereign, the Court moves with the Queen. As Buckingham Palace is the official London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
residence, the court and consequently meetings of the Privy Council occur there, as the Queen does not live at St James's. During her extended stays at Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
(typically during Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
), Sandringham
Sandringham House
Sandringham House is a country house on of land near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The house is privately owned by the British Royal Family and is located on the royal Sandringham Estate, which lies within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.-History and current...
during Christmas, and at Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The palace stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle...
or Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle
Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and east of Braemar. Balmoral has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and her...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in the summer, the Court will be at Windsor, Sandringham, Holyrood or Balmoral. When the Queen travels overseas in her role as Queen of the United Kingdom, the court also travels with her.
All Ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
s and High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
s to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
are accredited
Diplomatic accreditation
Diplomatic accreditation is the process in which an ambassador is certified as one country's official representative to another.Accreditation occurs when a new ambassador presents "letters of credence", or credentials, to the host country's head of state...
to and received at the Court of St. James's and, as it would not be feasible to do this to a moving Court, a static name was needed. The official residence was therefore chosen because the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps
Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps
Her Majesty's Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps is a senior member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the United Kingdom. He is the Queen's link with the diplomatic community in London, arranges the annual Diplomatic Corps Reception by the Sovereign, organises the regular presentation of...
(before 1920, Master of the Ceremonies
Master of the Ceremonies
The office of Master of the Ceremonies was established by King James I/VI. The master's duties were to receive foreign dignitaries and present them to the monarch at court...
), who acts as the link between the Queen and the foreign diplomatic missions, is permanently based there.
In 2009 there were 172 foreign missions accredited to the Court of St James's in London. This total was made up of 46 high commissions
High Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
(missions from other Commonwealth countries) and 128 embassies (missions from foreign, meaning non-Commonwealth, countries).
See also
- Her Majesty's Diplomatic ServiceHer Majesty's Diplomatic ServiceHer Majesty's Diplomatic Service is the diplomatic service of the United Kingdom, dealing with foreign affairs, as opposed to the Home Civil Service, which deals with domestic affairs...
- Diplomatic rankDiplomatic rankDiplomatic rank is the system of professional and social rank used in the world of diplomacy and international relations. Over time it has been formalized on an international basis.-Ranks:...
- High Commissioner (Commonwealth)High Commissioner (Commonwealth)In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
- AmbassadorAmbassadorAn ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....