Lord-in-waiting
Lords-in-waiting or baronesses-in-waiting are peers who hold office in the Royal Household of the sovereign of the United Kingdom. In the official Court Circular they are styled "Lord in Waiting" or "Baroness in Waiting".
There are two kinds of lord-in-waiting: political appointees by the government of the day who serve as junior government whips in the House of Lords ; and non-political appointments by the monarch. Lords-in-waiting may be called upon periodically to represent the sovereign; for example, one of their number is regularly called upon to greet visiting heads of state on arrival at an airport at the start of a state or official visit, and they may then play a role in accompanying them for the duration of their stay. They are also occasionally in attendance on other state or royal occasions. "Extra" lords-in-waiting may also be appointed, supernumerary to the regular appointees, who fulfil a similar role; for example, Baroness Rawlings, whose appointment as a government whip ceased in 2012, continued to serve as an extra baroness-in-waiting, and represented the Queen on certain occasions.
In addition, the honour of serving as a permanent lord-in-waiting is occasionally bestowed on very senior courtiers following their retirement. A permanent lord-in-waiting may also represent the sovereign, as often happens at funerals or memorial services for former courtiers.
Political appointments
Most baronesses and lords-in-waiting serve as government whips in the House of Lords. Being members of the government, they are appointed by the sovereign on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and invariably relinquish their position when there is a change of government.Currently, there are nine lords and baronesses-in-waiting, who serve as junior whips in the House of Lords:
| Portfolio | Name | Since |
| Lord-in-waiting | Sonny Leong, Baron Leong | 11 July 2024 |
| Lord-in-waiting | Phil Wilson, Baron Wilson of Sedgefield | 10 February 2025 |
| Lord-in-waiting | Mike Katz, Baron Katz | 11 April 2025 |
| Lord-in-waiting | Gerard Lemos, Baron Lemos | 22 July 2025 |
| Baroness-in-waiting | Sharon Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage | 9 July 2024 |
| Baroness-in-waiting | Ruth Smeeth, Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent | 11 July 2024 |
| Baroness-in-waiting | Fiona Twycross, Baroness Twycross | 11 July 2024 |
| Baroness-in-waiting | Judith Blake, Baroness Blake of Leeds | 11 July 2024 |
| Baroness-in-waiting | Liz Lloyd, Baroness Lloyd of Effra | 11 September 2025 |
Non-political appointments
Alongside the political appointees two non-political lords-in-waiting are always appointed, at the personal discretion of the sovereign.Those currently serving in this capacity are:
| Portfolio | Name | Since |
| Personal lord-in-waiting | Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough | 1 May 1997 |
| Personal lord-in-waiting | Henry Hood, 8th Viscount Hood | 30 July 2008 |
Additional appointments
Any additional appointees are termed extra lords or baronesses-in-waiting.Those currently serving in this capacity are:
| Portfolio | Name | Since |
| Extra baroness-in-waiting | Patricia Rawlings, Baroness Rawlings | 2012 |
| Extra lord-in-waiting | Anthony St John, 22nd Baron St John of Bletso | 19 March 1998 |