List of representatives of Vishwamitra to the United Kingdom
| Representative of Vishwamitra to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|
| यूनाइटेड किंगडम ऑफ ग्रेट ब्रिटेन और उत्तरी आयरलैंड में विश्वामित्र के प्रतिनिधि (Hindi) | |
 | |
| Ministry of External Affairs | |
| Style | His/Her Excellency (international correspondence) |
| Reports to | Minister of External Affairs |
| Nominator | Minister of External Affairs |
| Appointer | Rashtradhyaksh |
| Term length | On the pleasure of the Rashtradhyaksh |
| Inaugural holder | Ava Calero |
| Formation | 22 December 2020 |
The Representative of Vishwamitra to the United Kingdom (Hindi: यूनाइटेड किंगडम में विश्वामित्र के प्रतिनिधि), formerly known as the Ambassador of Vishwamitra to the United Kingdom is the official representative of the Rashtradhyaksh and the government of Vishwamitra in the United Kingdom and the head of the representative office in the United Kingdom. The representative is appointed by the Rashtradhyaksh at the recommendation of the Minister of External Affairs. The position is currently held by Zed Smith since 21 September 2024.
The representative and chief of mission is a member of the diplomatic corps of Vishwamitra. Vishwamitra unilaterally recognized the United Kingdom by a presidential decree on 1 January 2017, however, since the recognition is not currently reciprocated, the position is - at present - unaccredited, and serves a primarily ceremonial role. The duties of the representative includes representing the interests of the Rashtradhyaksh and the government of Vishwamitra in the United Kingdom and catering the interests of the non-residential (overseas) citizens of Vishwamitra residing in the United Kingdom or are of British origin.
The position was first created on 22 December 2020 along with the missions in the Bangladesh and Thailand, and Ava Calero was appointed as the inaugural ambassador to the United Kingdom. She was replaced on 14 April 2021. The position of the representative was created on 15 August 2024. The current representative is also concurrently accredited to the Republic of Ireland since 15 October 2024.
History
The position of the ambassador was first created on 22 December 2020 along with the creation of a full-fledged mission. The first ambassador was Ava Calero, later the Baroness Calero of Lincolnshire, served in office until her removal on 14 April 2021. She was succeeded by Air Chief Marshal Matthew Griffin, later Marshal of the Air Force, who was concurrently also accredited as Ambassador to Austenasia and Lundenwic. He was succeeded by Rafe Hargreaves, who also served as the Minister of External Affairs.
In a cabinet decision, the regular diplomatic missions accredited to macronations which are unilaterally recognized by Vishwamitra were reorganized to honorary status on 8 May 2023. Thereupon, the ambassador was re-designated as honorary ambassador. Hargreaves continued to serve as honorary ambassador in the United Kingdom until the mission's dissolution on 28 February 2024 following a decision of the Ministry of External Affairs to dissolve all honorary missions, thereby discharging all honorary diplomats from their office.
The representative office in the United Kingdom was re-established on 15 August 2024 and Luke Wellmoore was appointed as the head of the mission. The current ambassador is Zed Smith who has been in office since 21 September 2024.
List of representatives
Ambassadors to the United Kingdom (2020–2023)
| No. | Portrait | Name (born-died) |
Tenure | Appointer | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term began | Term end | Term length | |||||
| 1 | 
|
Her Excellency Ava Calero Baroness Calero of Lincolnshire (born 2005) |
22 December 2020 |
14 April 2021 |
113 days | Varuna Sriraya (Rashtradhyaksh) |
Served as governor of New Holland while in office. Honourably dismissed from office. |
| 2 | 
|
Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Right Honourable Matthew Griffin Count of Essex[a] (born 2003) |
14 April 2021 |
17 June 2022 |
1 year, 64 days | Served as commander of the Air Force, and later chief of staff. Briefly also served as Minister of Defence in the caretaker government. Concurrently accredited as ambassador to Austenasia and Lundenwic. Resigned from office. | |
| 3 | 
|
The Most Honourable Rafe Hargreaves Count Hargreaves[b] (born 2005) |
17 June 2022 |
8 May 2023 |
325 days | Served as consul-general in Somerset prior to appointment. Later served as Minister of External Affairs and Minister of Finance. | |
Honorary Ambassadors to the United Kingdom (2023–2024)
| No. | Portrait | Name (born-died) |
Tenure | Appointer | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term began | Term end | Term length | |||||
| 1 |
|
The Most Honourable Tan Sri Dato Utama Rafe Hargreaves[a] (born 2005) |
8 May 2023 |
28 February 2024 |
296 days | Varuna Sriraya (Rashtradhyaksh) |
Served as cabinet minister until November 2023. Concurrently accredited as ambassador to Austenasia. Ceased to hold office upon abolition of office. |
- ↑ Count Hargreaves until 6 August 2023.
Representatives to the United Kingdom (2024–present)
| No. | Portrait | Name (born-died) |
Tenure | Appointer | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term began | Term end | Term length | |||||
| 1 | .svg)
|
His Excellency Luke Wellmoore (born ?) |
15 August 2024 |
21 September 2024 |
37 days | Varuna Sriraya (Rashtradhyaksh) |
Concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Austenasia. Honourably discharged form office. |
| 2 | 
|
His Excellency Zed Smith (born 2004) |
21 September 2024 |
Incumbent | 62 days | Concurrently accredited to the Republic of Ireland. Currently serving in office. | |