The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responsible to the Sovereign for the administration of the Duchy. However, the Chancellor has delegated certain functions, particularly those relating to asset management, to the Duchy Council.

Appointment to the role of Chancellor is made by His Majesty The King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The Chancellor is accountable to the Sovereign personally, rather than to Parliament, for the Duchy’s affairs, and receives and surrenders the seals of office separately from other Cabinet colleagues. However, the Chancellor does answer Parliamentary Questions on matters relating to his Duchy responsibilities.

The current holder of the post is The Rt. Hon. Pat McFadden MP who was appointed in July 2024, succeeding The Rt. Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE MP.