The new Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, His Excellency Edward Joseph Adams and titular Archbishop of Scala presented his credentials to Her Majesty The Queen on 8th June 2017. He was accompanied to Buckingham Palace by the Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps who was sent to receive the Nuncio with two royal horse carriages adorned in red and gold. Cardinal Vincent was on hand as the Nuncio set off. In conformity with the protocol followed by Ambassadors of different countries, the royal horses were fed bushy top carrots by the Nuncio and Cardinal Vincent when the carriage returned to leave the Nuncio back to Archbishop House.
According to diplomatic protocol, ambassadors may not represent their governments until their credentials have been formally presented in person and accepted by the Queen. Once the credentials are accepted, they are considered diplomatically accredited to the host government and are deemed to be an officer of Great Britain.
Archbishop Adams was Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh from 1996 to 2002, before being appointed Nuncio to Zimbabwe where he served for five years. In 2007 Pope Benedict appointed him Nuncio to the Philippines and, in 2011, served in the same capacity in Greece. On 8th April 2017, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Adams as Nuncio to Great Britain.
