Residence Winfield House Nominator The President | Seat London, United Kingdom | |
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Style His Excellency (Formal)
Mr. Ambassador (Informal) Reports to U.S. Secretary of State Appointer The President
with the advice and consent of the Senate | ||
The United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom (known formally in the United Kingdom as Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St James's) is the official representative of the President and the Government of the United States of America to the Queen and Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
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The position is regarded as one of the most prestigious positions in the United States Foreign Service due to the so-called "Special Relationship". The ambassadorship has been held by various notable politicians, including five who would later become presidents: John Adams, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan. However, the modern tendency of American presidents (of both parties) is to appoint keen political fundraisers from previous presidential campaigns, despite the importance and prestige of the office.
The ambassador and the embassy staff at large work at the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London. The official residence of the ambassador is Winfield House in Regent's Park.
The post of Ambassador is currently vacant; however, Woody Johnson has been nominated by Donald Trump, pending senate confirmation. Lewis Lukens is currently serving as Chargé d'affaires-ai until Johnson is approved by the Senate. The most recent Ambassador was Matthew Barzun.
Duties
The ambassador's main duty is to present American policies to the Government of the United Kingdom and people and to report British policies and views to the Federal government of the United States. He serves as the primary channel of communication between the two nations and plays an important role in treaty negotiations.
The ambassador is the head of the United States's consular service in the United Kingdom. As well as directing diplomatic activity in support of trade, he is ultimately responsible for visa services and for the provision of consular support to American citizens in the UK. He also oversees cultural relations between the two countries.