The Major-General has sole responsibility for the Service aspect of all State and ceremonial occasions within London District.

The office holds executive command of the Household Division and of any other units brought into London for providing military security to the Sovereign, the Royal Palaces as well as for ceremonial purposes and is the main channel of communication between the Household Division and the Monarch.

He or she is appointed by The Sovereign, and will previously have commanded a Regiment or Battalion within the Household Division.

[1] The appointment dates from 14 July 1856, when an order was issued conveying the news that 'Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint Major-General Lord Rokeby, KCB, to serve on the Staff of the army, with a view to his exercising a general supervision over the Battalions [of Guards] in England, including those at Aldershot; all communications having reference to the Brigade of Guards will be addressed to him in future, instead of the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting as heretofore'.

[2] The Major General's Staff include the Chief of Staff London District, who deputises in the Major-General's absence, and the principal staff officer of the Household Division (known by his historic title of Brigade Major), who assists the Major General and is 'responsible to the Major General for the day to day running of the Public Duties and Household Division matters worldwide'.