THE Queen has appointed a new Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire as The Dowager Countess of Darnley retires later this year.

In his role Edward Harley OBE DL will be the Queen's representative in Herefordshire, giving time to voluntary and benevolent organisations.

Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant, The Dowager Countess of Darnley CVO, CStJ, JP, said: "I am delighted to know that our next Lord-Lieutenant is to be Mr. Edward Harley.

"I am confident that he will represent Her Majesty with warmth, diligence, thoughtfulness and humility.

"I have found the role to be one of immense interest and joy. My time in office has allowed me to meet the most wonderful people across Herefordshire, undertaking their work or carrying out voluntary roles with only the best interests of our community in mind.

"It has been a great privilege to be invited into the lives of so wide a variety of people, hearing their successes and their challenges and it is a chapter of my life that I shall never forget.

"I have received nothing but kindness and support throughout, and I feel blessed to have had this opportunity to serve Her Majesty the Queen in this wonderful county."

Her successor, Mr Harley, said he is looking forward to getting underway in his new role, supported by his wife Victoria.

Mr Harley, 59, who comes from a family who has lived in Herefordshire for generations, spent his professional career at stock brokers Cazenove and Co. where he was a partner.

A member of the Prince's Council of the Duchy of Cornwall, a vice-president of the National Churches Trust and a trustee of the Churches Conservation Trust, Mr Harley, who lives in Brampton Bryan in north Herefordshire, praised the work of his predecessor.

"It is a great honour to be appointed Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire to succeed The Dowager Countess of Darnley CVO. I look forward to it enormously and I will, with the help of my wife Victoria, carry out the role to the very best of my ability.

"Lady Darnley has been an exceptional Lord-Lieutenant. She has fulfilled her role as Her Majesty's Representative with energy, diligence and good judgement.

"In addition, she has ensured that the Lieutenancy has been relevant and central to so many aspects of life in Herefordshire.

"Lady Darnley has throughout her term of office consistently supported communities, organisations and individuals across the county and this has always been done with kindness, generosity and perception, which has been so much appreciated by all."

The Dowager Countess of Darnley will retire on September 4.