THERE are some royal posts whose titles raise eyebrows rather than quicken the pulse. These include the Earl Marshal, responsible for the arrangements for the funeral of a sovereign, and the accession and coronation of the new monarch; the Lord Great Chamberlain, whose job it is to ensure the Queen’s wellbeing while in Parliament; and the Master of the Horse, whose remit includes the carriages and horses of the Sovereign.

Other titles are more familiar to many of us: among them the Poet Laureate, the Master of the Queen’s Music and the Queen’s Piper. Also on the muster are the Astronomer Royal and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, posts dating from 1675 and 1834 respectively, whose roles are largely honorary, though the incumbents remain available to advise the Sovereign on astronomical and related scientific matters.

Yesterday the Princess Royal announced a new recruit to the ranks: step forward Professor Charles Withers, the first Geographer Royal for Scotland in 118 years.

Prof Wither’s role, which is unpaid, will be to act as an ambassador for a field of study which affects every aspect of our lives, including as it does such issues as flood alleviation and national parks. We wish him well; it will be good to see geography put firmly back on the map.