Unlike his predecessor, Ronald Munro Ferguson, he faced no constitutional challenges and had no influence on the political scene.

Forster travelled widely while in office and was popular among the general public, mainly concerning himself with ceremonial duties.

[1] He was a first-class cricketer who played for Oxford University and Hampshire, as well as for various amateur teams as a lower-order right-handed batsman and an orthodox left-arm spin bowler.

Forster entered the House of Commons as Member of Parliament (MP) for Sevenoaks at the 1892 general election.

He found that the congenial atmosphere of pre-war Australian politics had been shattered by the bitter battles of the wartime period.

The Labor Party had moved to the left in opposition and was now anti-imperialist and pacifist, and more markedly socialist.

As Australia became more independent and more confident in its international relations, the role of the Governor-General as an overseer and intermediary declined.

Instead Forster's role became more like that of a modern Governor-General: opening fetes, visiting hospitals, attending sporting events, hosting balls and banquets.

[citation needed] Lord Forster married the Honourable Rachel Cecily Douglas-Scott-Montagu, daughter of the 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, on 3 June 1890.

Lady Forster was invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the 1926 New Years Honours List.