Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State

The Gentleman Usher to the Sword of State is an officer of the British Royal Household. He is responsible for bearing the Sword of State before the monarch on ceremonial occasions. However, the Gentleman Usher was removed from the procession at the State Opening of Parliament in 1998.

List of Gentlemen Ushers to the Sword of State

 * 10 January 1837 – 1874?: Sir William Martins
 * vacant
 * 23 July 1901 – 1 December 1915: Sir Spencer Ponsonby-Fane
 * 27 June 1919 – 20 May 1924: Sir Edward Goschen, 1st Baronet
 * 3 November 1924 – 1933: Sir Reginald Brade
 * 10 March 1933 – 22 March 1946: Lieutenant General Sir Lewis Halliday
 * 22 March 1946 – 4 November 1966: Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Barratt
 * 3 February 1967 – 1973: General Sir William Stirling
 * 26 October 1973 – 7 April 1980: Admiral Sir Desmond Dreyer
 * 7 April 1980 – 2 May 1988: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Barraclough
 * 2 May 1988 – 1997: General Sir Edward Burgess
 * 1997 – 1 December 2005: Admiral Sir Michael Layard
 * 1 December 2005 – ????: Air Chief Marshal Sir John Allison
 * 2013 – present: General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue