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Inasmuch as, formally speaking, an ambassador (sense 1) is the representative of the sending state\'s head of state accredited to the receiving state\'s head of state, it is natural that his or her letters of credence should be delivered personally to the latter. At one time this was of real significance, because of the political importance of monarchs. Now it is, in its essence, a ceremonial occasion only. Indeed, it is no longer an essential prerequisite for an ambassador\'s tour of duty formally to begin. And if some such ceremony is still required, there appears to be no reason why it should not be conducted by a head of state\'s deputy, or some other appropriate personage – as has occasionally been considered or suggested in cases where the head of state is also head of government, and therefore extremely busy. But there have been cogent objections to this idea: sending states would not like it, and the receiving state might also suffer some disadvantage, with the result that it has only rarely been adopted. Generally, therefore, the traditional ceremony continues, and often with some colour and pomp. Furthermore, the event can have some political value, especially for the sending state, inasmuch as it may afford an opportunity for a helpful private discussion between the newly accredited head of mission and the head of state.
In most states the ceremony tends to conform to a similar pattern, but there are minor differences in the degree of formality and form of dress, and the personal style and temperament of the head of state may also affect the detailed procedure at the ceremony. Typically, the head of mission is escorted by the head of the foreign ministry\'s protocol department or, in the case of Britain, by the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, and perhaps by a senior official or a minister (sense 3). After the ambassador\'s introduction, short speeches are made (but in the United States the speeches are exchanged in written form), some light discussion ensues, and then a few members of the ambassador\'s mission and his or her spouse may be introduced. The ceremony is similar for a high commissioner who is presenting letters of commission to a head of state. But in Britain, whereas an ambassador is conveyed in a cotton-lined landau pulled by two horses, a high commissioner\'s coach is silk-lined and pulled by four (one of which is ridden by a postilion).
In respect of a high commissioner from one of the Queen\'s Realms to another, credentials take the form of a letter of introduction from the sending state\'s prime minister to that of the receiving state, and are presented to the prime minister very informally. However, in London this last aspect of the procedure has recently been abandoned, because sometimes it was not possible to arrange an appointment for the new high commissioner to call on the prime minister for some considerable time. Instead, the letter of introduction is now delivered to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the same way as ambassadors and non-Realm high commissioners deliver working copies of their letters of credentials and letters of commission. In consequence of the use of letters of introduction, high commissioners to Britain from one of the Queens (other) Realms do not meet the Queen at a credentials ceremony soon after their arrival. So that such diplomats do not feel left out, a special audience of the Queen is arranged for them shortly after they have taken up their position – but, as this is not a ceremonial occasion, they have to make do with travelling to it by their own car (which is often a matter of regret!). |
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