King Charles III will use one of his oldest and least-known titles for the first time next week when he makes his inaugural visit to the Isle of Man as monarch.
During the visit on 14 July, The King will appear in his constitutional role as Lord of Mann, the historic title held by the Sovereign as Head of State of the Isle of Man.
The title dates back centuries and has been used by the reigning British monarch since 1765, when the lordship of the self-governing Crown Dependency reverted to the Crown. Although the title is “Lord of Mann”, it has traditionally been used by both kings and queens, including Queen Elizabeth II.
The King’s visit will begin with a special sitting of Tynwald, the Isle of Man’s parliament, in Douglas, where he will address members of the legislature.
He will then attend a garden party at Government House, meeting representatives from charities, community organisations and voluntary groups from across the island.
Later in the day, The King will visit the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway as it celebrates its 150th anniversary. During the engagement, he will unveil a commemorative plaque before taking a short journey aboard one of the horse-drawn trams along the promenade.
Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer said: “This visit reflects the enduring relationship between the Crown and the Isle of Man, while also providing an opportunity to share with His Majesty the people, places and traditions that make our Island so unique.
“I am very much looking forward to welcoming His Majesty and to showcasing the warmth and spirit for which the Isle of Man is renowned.”
Chief Minister Alfred Cannan described the occasion as “a proud moment” for the island.
“As Lord of Mann, His Majesty holds a unique place in the constitutional life of our Island,” he said. “I know many residents will welcome the chance to see The King and to join together in marking this significant moment in our Island’s history.”
While this will be Charles’s first visit to the Isle of Man since becoming King, he visited several times as Prince of Wales, most recently in 2012 during Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
The Isle of Man is a self-governing British Crown Dependency and is not part of the United Kingdom. The British monarch serves as its Head of State under the historic title Lord of Mann, reflecting the island’s unique constitutional relationship with the Crown.
