Herefordshire Council has voted to award the honorary title to Susan Bligh, the Dowager Countess of Darnley. Council chairman Sebastian Bowen said it had been a great privilege to get to know Lady Darnley who retired as Lord Lieutenant for the county in September. He proposed that she should be awarded the lifetime title and this was seconded by councillor Bob Matthews. “Wherever I’ve attended events in the county with Lady Darnley, as lord lieutenant or in a private role she has been deeply respected and may I say loved in all instances,” he said. “She has that magic ability to interact effortlessly with everyone she meets while always retaining their respect and regard as a representative on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen as Lord Lieutenant for Herefordshire, a role which she has fulfilled to perfection.