The King appointed Nicholas Charrington as His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Essex.
The announcement came on 17 July 2026. Mr Charrington, who is 65 and already holds the designation DL, will take up the post on 2 December 2026 when Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst retires after serving as Lord-Lieutenant.
The office itself stretches back centuries. Since 1688 the holder has also acted as Custos Rotulorum of Essex. It remains an honorary role, yet one that places the monarch's presence squarely within county affairs: opening buildings, attending ceremonies, supporting voluntary organisations and liaising between Crown and community.
Mr Charrington's record shows deep roots in Essex life. He previously served as High Sheriff of the county. He is president of the Rural Community Council of Essex, a trustee of the Fowler, Smith and Jones Charity, and co-founder of Wild Arts. Earlier positions include founding chair of the Essex Farm Attractions Network, chair of the Essex Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, and committee member of the Essex Rural Development Commission.
He lives with his wife Sheila at Layer Marney Tower near Colchester. The tower itself functions as both a visitor attraction and a venue for charity events. The couple have four adult children.
Such appointments rarely make headlines. Yet they form part of a steady pattern across 2026: similar selections for Greater London on 13 July and for Suffolk on 16 April. Each one quietly reaffirms the constitutional thread that runs from the monarchy through historic county offices into everyday public service.