Ambassador

The Ambassador, or Chief of Mission, is the highest ranking American official in the United Kingdom.  The position’s full title is “Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary”. It is “extraordinary” in that the Ambassador is the personal representative of the President of the United States to Her Majesty the Queen.  The “plenipotentiary” in the title indicates full power to negotiate. As well as being responsible for the work of the various sections of the Embassy, the Ambassador coordinates the activities of all departments and agencies of the United States Government with representatives in Britain.

Chargé d’Affaires, a.i

Matthew Palmer is the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM).

Assisting the Ambassador is the DCM, a position carrying the rank of Minister. The DCM is responsible for the day to-day running of the Embassy and also undertakes high-level representation, negotiation, appraisal, and reporting duties.  In the Ambassador’s absence the Minister becomes Chargé D’Affaires, thereby assuming all the Ambassador’s functions and responsibilities.