Major Marco Ciotti, the Secretary and Aide-de-Camp to the Lieutenant Governor, has been awarded an LVO for his significant service to the Monarch and His Majesty’s representative in the Bailiwick.
Receiving the LVO makes Major Ciotti a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
It is a dynastic order which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch, and his representatives.
Ascending through the ranks, there’s the Royal Victorian Medal (RVM), Member (MVO), Lieutenant (LVO), Commander, and above.
It is a personal award that was first gifted by Queen Victoria in recognition of service to the Monarch or the Monarch’s representative.
Major Ciotti is the Principal Secretary responsible for all policy matters related to the Lieutenant Governor’s responsibilities in the Bailiwick. It’s a pivotal role in shaping and executing the Lieutenant Governor’s duties, which are largely ceremonial but also involve significant constitutional and representational aspects.
Despite spending 13 years at Government House in this role, Major Ciotti says the reality of his new LVO, has yet to sink in.
“It’s a huge honour, literally, in every sense. And you sort of think you’ll take it in, but I don’t think I really have. I think it’s still sinking in.”
Royal visit coordination (in support of the Bailiff’s office), and liaising with Buckingham Palace and other Royal Households, is another branch of Major Ciotti’s responsibilities at Government house.
It is highly visible and demanding role, and with several recent Royal visits to the Bailiwick it’s made the awarding of the LVO a bit more personal, he said.
“It’s a real privilege. It’s the Royal Victorian Order, it is an order where honours are conferred personally as a gift of the sovereign.
“We’ve had a busy year. We’re very lucky. We’ve had three royal visits since this time last year. So in some ways, that sort of makes it feel almost a bit more personal,” he said
Major Ciotti aslo has a crucial role in connecting the Lieutenant Governor’s office with the legislative bodies of the Bailiwick, across Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Herm. He’s also in charge of liaison with the island’s Law Officers and Ministry of Justice.
Marco Ciotti’s responsibilities demonstrate sustained, high-level, and influential service in support of the Crown’s representative in Guernsey, and through his roles in policy, royal coordination, inter-governmental liaison, and overall management of Government House.
Major Ciotti continued by saying he’s grateful for what he describes as a real privilege.
“I think for someone who is born, and grew up in Guernsey to get this and you know, to do this job, is a real privilege, but then to get this award as well? I’m so grateful.”
His Excellency, Lieutenant General Sir Richard John Cripwell CB, CBE, CStJ, received his Knighthood as part of this year’s King’s Birthday Honours.
Another five recipients from the Bailiwick have been recognised as well.