Suffolk has its first female Lord Lieutenant since the role was created during the reign of Henry VIII nearly 500 years ago.

The Queen has appointed Clare, Countess of Euston, to succeed Lord Tollemache following his retirement earlier this month.

A previous High Sheriff of Suffolk, Lady Euston lives in the west of the county between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford at the family’s Euston Estate.

She has one son – the Duke of Grafton – four daughters and seven grandchildren and is well known as a champion of her adopted home county, as well as her dedication to the Suffolk Agricultural Association and her charity work.

With a long track record of service to some of the most vulnerable people in society, Lady Euston has headed up numerous charitable organisations over the years including chairing St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds.

She has served as president of Age Concern Suffolk, deputy chair of the Suffolk Community Foundation and vice-president of the Foundation for People with Learning Difficulties.

In addition, she chaired the Suffolk Strategic Partnership Board and is currently president of the Suffolk Agricultural Association – a role which fits in with her passion for Suffolk Punch horses and Red Poll cattle, which she breeds at Euston Farm Park.

Originally from the Scottish borders, Lady Euston moved to Suffolk after marrying her husband, James Oliver Charles FitzRoy, the late Earl of Euston.

She was also previously appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Suffolk in 2005.