HER Majesty the Queen has appointed the vicar of a church in Portsmouth to be one of her Honorary Chaplains.

Canon Bob White, vicar of St Mary’s Church in Fratton, (pictured above with Easter eggs collected as part of this year’s appeal for vulnerable families) will be one of only 30 or so Honorary Queen’s Chaplains across the UK.

The honour is awarded to recognise long and committed service to the Church. Queen’s Chaplains are able to preach in the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, once a year. The Queen’s Household attend services, as does the Queen when she is in residence.

Queen’s Chaplains also wear distinctive scarlet cassocks, rather than the traditional black cassock, as well as a special bronze badge which includes the royal monogram. The role dates back to the 15th century.

The Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, said: “I am delighted, and I know the whole diocese will be, at Her Majesty the Queen’s appointment of Canon Bob White as one of her Honorary Chaplains.

“This recognition of an outstanding parish priest, whose whole ordained ministry has been in this diocese, signals the value the Queen and the Church of England places on the pastoral, missional and spiritual leadership shown by parish clergy.

“Bob’s service to parishes, deaneries and the diocese continues to be exemplary and we are thrilled by this honour. We look forward to seeing him resplendent in his new cassock.”

Bob, who is 58, was ordained in 1985 and has served in Portsmouth diocese ever since. He was a curate in Gosport and North End, and then a vicar in Leigh Park and Warren Park for eight years.

He has been vicar at St Mary’s, Fratton, since 2000, and has been area dean, with responsibility for parishes in the city of Portsmouth, since 2011. He is also the clergy chairman for the diocese’s decision-making body, the Diocesan Synod.

He said: “I am both honoured and humbled to receive this appointment. I believe it is a recognition of that ministry I share with colleagues across the diocese faithfully serving our parishes and communities. I am looking forward to adding a scarlet cassock alongside my May Fayre Red Coat!"

Among the other Honorary Queen’s Chaplains is the Rev Dr Jamie Hawkey, who was a curate at St Mary’s Church, Fratton, and is now Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey.