Church of Scotland minister appointed as Queen’s chaplain

Reverend George Cowie has been officially appointed as one of the Queen’s personal chaplains and has joined her Majesty’s Household as a Chaplain-in-Ordinary.

The announcement was made in April but the official ceremony happened at a service at South Holburn Church, where he is a minister.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Chapel Royal including Professor David Fergusson, principal of New College at Edinburgh University, Rev Susan Brown of Dornoch Cathedral, and Rev Ken Mackenzie, minister of Braemar and Crathie Kirk in Aberdeenshire.

Also in attendance were Very Reverend Dr Lorna Hood, Very Reverend Dr John Chalmers and Very Reverend Dr Angus Morrison, all former Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

Right Rev Dr Derek Browning, the current Moderator, not only attended as a guest but also, took part in the service.

53-year-old Cowie said, “It is a privilege and pleasure to be installed as a Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen in Scotland.

“I am very conscious of the history and tradition of the Chapel Royal, which serves as a living reminder that our Queen and her parliaments need to be upheld in prayer.

“For me personally, it is special that this is being marked at South Holburn Church where family, friends and folk from my own congregation have been able to share in the occasion.”

The essentially ceremonial role dates back to the 15th century and involves taking part in formal state occasions and conducting services at major events.

Rev Cowie grew up in Glasgow and was ordained and served a parish in Auchtertool, near Kirkcaldy in Fife.

He is currently the convener of the Church of Scotland’s Legal Questions Committee.

He is married to Rev Marian Cowie with whom he has two children, Graeme and Kay.

There are 10 Chaplains to the Queen in Scotland, who hold office until the age of 70.