Alistair Carmichael and Simon Hughes become Privy Councillors

Well, the age of romance is not dead. I woke up this morning to find a CD with all my favourite disco sounds on it, courtesy of my husband, and when I came in this evening from taking Anna to choir, I discovered that he had scavenged a copy of the Times for me so that I could read the letter from the Liberal Democrat councillors.

Not only that, though. After a prompt from the man himself on Facebook, I found this. Our Alistair Carmichael and Simon Hughes have been sworn in as Privy Councillors. That's a role I think they'll have for life. Well, Wikipedia says so, anyway. The Privy Council is one of the most ancient parts of our governmental tradition, being "that part of Her Majesty's Government which advises on the exercise of prerogative powers and certain functions assigned to The Queen and the Council by Act of Parliament".


I guess that means that Alistair and Simon, along with the rest of our ministers, will have a say in whether Prince William is allowed to marry Kate Middleton. I certainly remember Charles and Diana's marriage getting consent 30 years ago. Not, to be honest, that I think it's any of their business, but there you go.


Here, for posterity, is the announcement in full from the online Court Circular.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE: Mr. Simon McDonald was received in audience by The Queen and kissed hands upon his appointment as Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany.His Holiness Ilia II, Patriarch of All Georgia, was received by The Queen.The Bishop of London was present.The Queen held a Council at 5.30 p.m..There were present: the Rt. Hon. Nicholas Clegg MP (Lord President), the Rt. Hon. Michael Moore MP (Secretary of State for Scotland) and the Rt. Hon. Christopher Grayling MP (Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions).The Rt. Hon. Alistair Carmichael MP, the Rt. Hon. David Lidinton MP, the Rt. Hon. Andrew Robathan MP and the Rt. Hon. Hugo Swire MP were sworn in as members of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.The Lord Bonomy and the Rt. Hon. Simon Hughes MP made affirmation as members of Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council.Miss Judith Simpson was in attendance as Clerk of the Council.The Rt. Hon. Nicholas Clegg MP had an audience of Her Majesty before the Council.The Rt. Hon. David Cameron MP (Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury) had an audience of The Queen this evening.

Congratulations to Alistair and Simon. I hope the Queen knows how lucky she is to have them, and I hope the people in the office know to amend Simon's notification of the meetings so that he thinks they're 2 hours earlier than they actually are.

Pity the Court Circular doesn't come with pictures. I want to see if Alistair had to carry his ceremonial wand, or if Nick Clegg had to wear his ceremonial costume. Actually, maybe they can fight for more openness and transparency in the way this body works. The Queen's very own Awkward Squad. Love it.