Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth

Although it has deep roots, the granting of the Freedom of the City in Portsmouth is now reserved as a reward for gallantry or public service. It is now a purely honorary distinction and confers no special privileges. Among the people made Honorary Freemen of Portsmouth have been: • David Lloyd George (1853-1945) – Prime Minister • HRH the Prince of Wales (1894 – 1972) – First Freeman of the City. Known from 1937 as the Duke of Winsor • Field Marshal the Rt Hon Viscount Montgomery of Alamein (1887 – 1976) – Based in Portsmouth before and during WWII • The Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965) – Prime Minister who took a great interest in the welfare of Portsmouth and its citizens. • Sir Alec Rose (1908 – 1991) – through his sailing activities brought fame and honour to his home city of Portsmouth • Earl Mountbatten on Burma (1900 – 1979) – Admiral of the Fleet who had close links with Portsmouth. • HRH The Prince of Wales (1948 - ) • The Rt Hon the Lord Callaghan of Cardiff – Prime Minister who was educated in Portsmouth • HRH The Princess of Wales (1961-1997)