Frederick Urquhart
The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Frederick Urquhart KBE LVO AO Bishop of Armagh and Tuam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Speaker of the House of Commons Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 14 November 2024 – 15 January 2025 (63 days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Charles III George VII | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Prime Minister | The Duke of Somerset The Earl of Devon The Earl of Durham | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | The Baron Huntingdon | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | The Duke of Cambridge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bishop of Armagh and Tuam | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 3 August 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Church | Church of England in Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Province | Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diocese | Armagh and Tuam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Office created | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Ordination | 2024 (priest) by William Somerset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Consecration | 27 August 2024 by William Somerset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | Frederick Alexander Mountbatten-Urquhart 31 March 2024 (329 days) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Heron Party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other political affiliations | Unionist Party (May 2024 - June 2024) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | University of St Andrews (LLB) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Politician | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Styles of Frederick Wright, Bishop of Armagh and Tuam | |
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| Reference style | The Right Reverend |
| Spoken style | My Lord, Bishop |
| Alternative style | Father |
Frederick Alexander Carandini Urquhart KBE LVO AO MP (originally Mountbatten-Urquhart; joined 31 March 2024) is a British Anglican prelate and politician who, since 2024, has served as the Bishop of Armagh and Tuam in the Anglican Church in Ireland. Urquhart is known for his conservative theological stance, aligning closely with the High Church Anglo-Catholic movement. His tenure as bishop has been characterized by the promotion of traditional liturgical practices, including the frequent use of Latin in missals and masses.
Before his ecclesiastical appointment, Wright had a brief but notable career in politics. Initially serving as a junior minister in the Second Knightstone Ministry, he entered the House of Commons as a Unionist Member of Parliament (MP) for New Forest East and County Sligo in May 2024. During his tenure, Urquhart shifted political affiliations, serving briefly as an Independent before joining the Heron Party. His parliamentary career saw him hold the position of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons by mid-2024, before resigning from the role and leaving Parliament in September of the same year, citing personal reasons.
Urquhart returned to politics in November 2024, regaining a seat in Parliament, representing County Sligo. Shortly thereafter, he was elected Speaker of the House of Commons, marking a significant milestone in his dual career as both a religious leader and a political figure.
Urquhart's dual roles as bishop and politician have drawn attention to his ability to navigate the intersection of ecclesiastical and governmental responsibilities, cementing his reputation as a prominent figure in both the Anglican Church and British political life.
Joining the Empire
After a period of "wandering about," as Urquhart himself describes it, he applied for British citizenship with the Home Office on 31 March 2024. His application was granted on the same day by the Home Secretary, Josephine Carew-Grey.
Political Career
Personal Life
Personal Views
Honours
In the Dissolution of the 32nd Parliament Honours List, Urquhart was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, 'for service to the Empire of Great Britain as Member of Parliament for New Forest East and recognition for the dedicated service provided to the region since arrival.' Later, in the Unification Day Honours List, Urquhart was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, 'for service to the Empire of Great Britain in the Parliament of Great Britain'. In the Dissolution of the 33rd Parliament Honours List, Urquhart was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, 'for services to the Parliament of Great Britain as Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for New Forest East.' In the Autumn Honours List 2024, Urquhart was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, for 'for exemplary service to the Crown as a Bishop in the Church of England', and was additionally appointed a Knight Bachelor, 'for distinguished service in the Church of England, His Majesty's Government, and the Parliament of Great Britain'. As bishops and other clergy are traditionally not dubbed following the conferrance of a knighthood, Urquhart is not formally known as 'Sir Frederick Urquhart'. However, outside of his work as a clergyman, namely his work in parliament and government, he is informally styled 'Sir Frederick Urquhart', as to separate his ecclesiastical and governmental and parliamentary responsibilities and roles.