Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Kingdom Ambassador of the United States to the Court of St James's |
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Seal of the United States Department of State
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U.S. Department of State Embassy of the United States, London |
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Style |
His Excellency (Formal) Mr. Ambassador (Informal) |
Reports to | U.S. Secretary of State |
Residence | Winfield House |
Seat | London, United Kingdom |
Appointer |
The President with the advice and consent of the Senate |
Term length |
At the pleasure of the President No fixed term |
Inaugural holder |
John Adams as Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of St. James's |
Formation | 1785 |
Deputy | Consul General Daniel James Lawton (As Deputy Chief of Mission is currently serving as Chargé d'affaires a.i.) |
Website | US Embassy – London |
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.
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, President Trump has nominated Woody Johnson as his choice for the post. On June 26, 2017, Johnson's name was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Lewis Lukens is currently serving as Chargé d'affaires ad interim until Johnson is approved by the Senate. The most recent Ambassador was Matthew Barzun.