Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769–1852)

Though Wellington retired from active politics in 1846, he continued to play a part in parliamentary life, frequently carrying the sword of state during State Opening and Prorogation.

Outside Parliament he continued to hold a number of official positions until his death, serving as Commander-in-Chief again from 1842, as well as Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Constable of the Tower of London and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. From 1829 he was of Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a post later held by Sir Winston Churchill.

Here, Wellington attends to his correspondence under the gaze of his greatest enemy, Napoleon Bonaparte, who looks down at him from a painting on the wall above.