The Comptroller of the Household is an ancient position in the British royal household, nominally the second-ranking member of the Lord Steward's department after the Treasurer of the Household. The Comptroller was an ex officio member of the Board of Green Cloth, until that body was abolished in the reform of the local government licensing in 2004. In recent times, a senior government whip has invariably occupied the office. On state occasions the Comptroller (in common with certain other senior officers of the Household) carries a white staff of office, as often seen in portraits. History "Comptroller" is an alternative spelling of "controller", recorded since around 1500 in a number of British titles, and later also in the United States. The variant in spelling results from the influence of French compte "account". The office of Comptroller of the Household derives from the medieval Household office of Controller of the Wardrobe, who was deputy to the Keeper (or Treasurer) of the Wardrobe, as well as an important official in his own right as keeper of the Privy Seal. Later, both these offices became high-ranking political appointments. Modern role In modern times, the Comptroller has become a less prominent position in British politics. The holder is one of the Government whips in the House of Commons, and their responsibilities for the Royal Household are now largely ceremonial. The role has been occupied by Rebecca Harris since 2022. Known incumbents 15th century 1399–1400: Sir Robert Litton 1402–1413: John Spencer after 1413: Sir Robert Babthorpe 1432–c1450: Thomas Stanley, 1st Baron Stanley 1460: Thomas Charlton 1461–?1470: Sir John Scott 1471–1475: Sir William Parr 1475–1481: Sir Robert Wingfield 1481–1483: Sir William Parr 1483–1485: Sir Robert Percy of Scotton 1485–1489: Sir Richard Edgecumbe 1489?–1492: Sir Roger Tocotes 1492–1494: vacant 1494–1506: Sir Richard Guildford 16th century 1507–1509: Sir John Hussey 1509–1519: Sir Edward Poynings Sir Thomas Parr 1519–1521: Sir Thomas Boleyn 1521–1532: Sir Henry Guildford 1532–1537: Sir William Paulet 1537–1539: Sir John Russell 1539–1540: Sir William Kingston 1540–1547: Sir John Gage 1547–1550: Sir William Paget 1550–1552: Sir Richard Wingfield 1552–1553: Sir Richard Cotton 1553–1557: Sir Robert Rochester 1557–1558: Sir Thomas Cornwallis 1558–1559: Sir Thomas Parry 1559–1568: Sir Edward Rogers 1568: Anthony Crane 1568–1570: vacant 1570–1590: Sir James Croft 1590–1596: vacant 1596–1602: William Knollys, 1st Earl of Banbury 17th century 1602–1604: Sir Edward Wotton c1604: William Pitt 1616–1618: Sir Thomas Edmonds 1618–1622: Sir Henry Cary (so created 1620) 1622–1627: