The Directorate looks after a diplomatic community of approximately 22,500 persons, including dependants. The main responsibilities of Protocol Directorate are handled by:
Ceremonial Section
Provides guidance regarding the arrival and departure arrangements of Heads of Mission. The Ceremonial Team brief the staff of a Mission who also attend the credentials ceremony with their newly arrived Head of Mission and offer any additional briefings required. This section also gives general advice to missions on ceremonial, protocol and precedence queries, and other related matters.
In conjunction with the office of the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps (See Notification of New Staff page) and other Government departments, the section assists in arrangements for the attendance of Heads of Mission at the following official occasions: –
- Commonwealth Day observance (High Commissioners only)
• Trooping the Colour
• Foreign Secretary’s reception or dinner to mark the official birthday of HM The King
• Royal garden parties
• Remembrance Day service (High Commissioners only)
• State Opening of Parliament
• The King’s evening reception for the Diplomatic Corps
Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations Unit (DMIOU)
The Unit ensures that diplomats and their dependants are accredited and in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic and Consular Relations receive the privileges and immunities to which they are entitled.
The Unit also handles general enquiries about the Vienna Conventions, criminal offences as well as pursuing debts.
International Organisations
The Unit performs similar functions in respect of International Organisations based in the UK. Such organisations and their staff do not enjoy privileges and immunities under the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964 but under separate legislation, such as the International Organisations Act 1968. For more details see the International Organisations section of the website.
DMIOU Customer Service Charter
The Unit is committed to providing a good service to all Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations. In order to give clear guidance on the service the Unit aims to provide, DMIOU has a Customer Service Charter.
Diplomatic Mission VIP Security
Is responsible, in close liaison with the Parliamentary & Diplomatic Protection Group (PADP) and British Police Forces, for the security and protection of diplomats and diplomatic property.
VIP Visits and Events
Is responsible for providing a comprehensive event management service organising meetings, conferences, summits and events throughout the UK and for inward visit planning for all guests of Government visitors to the UK. The team also handle the International Leaders Programme.
International Leaders Programme & Sponsored Visits
Plan International Leaders Programmes and individually tailored visit programmes each year for a range of experts and opinion formers from overseas. They include politicians, academics, businesspeople, senior officials, trade unionists and journalists. Programmes cover a wide range of topics from general politics and economics through to more specific themes such as congestion charging, law and order, climate change, human rights and inward investment.
Royal Households and Honours Secretariat
The Secretariat has two distinct roles:
• acting as the link between the FCDO and the Royal Households
• dealing with honours issues.
On the honours side, the Secretariat administers the Diplomatic Service and Overseas List, and honorary awards to non-British nationals. It also administers the rules and provides policy advice on the accepting and wearing of foreign awards by British nationals.
Protective Security and Arrival & Departure Arrangements
This team is responsible for the security and arrival & departure arrangements for inward VIP visits. Details on Protective Security and Arrival & Departure arrangements can be found on their pages: Protective Security and Arrival & Departures Team (PSAD)