Commodore Sir Robert Hastie KCVO, CBE, KStJ, RD, JP, RNR, (pictured) was appointed to the Order in recognition of his longstanding service to Her Majesty in his role of Lord Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.

Unlike other honours, which are bestowed on the advice of the Prime Minister and other ministers, the Royal Victorian Order has always been within the personal gift of the Sovereign. Membership is conferred on those who have performed personal service for the Sovereign.

The office of Lord Lieutenant dates back to the reign of Henry VIII and is the means by which Her Majesty the Queen establishes her representative in each County of the United Kingdom. Commodore Hastie (pictured) has held the position in West Glamorgan for 13 years.

Swansea University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies, said: "We congratulate Sir Robert on his appointment to the Royal Victorian Order. He has devoted a substantial amount of his time to the service of others and I am delighted that his commitment to the region has been recognised in this way."

Sir Robert was born in Swansea and educated at Bromsgrove School before completing his National Service in the Royal Navy in 1953. He progressed through the ranks of the Royal Naval reserve being promoted to Captain in 1974 and becoming Commodore in 1979. He was Aide-de Camp to Her Majesty the Queen in her Jubilee Year of 1977.

He joined the family firm of Bernard Hastie and Co Ltd, where he now sits as Chairman, and has also been Chairman of the Milford Haven Port Authority and the Milford Docks Company.

Other Directorships include the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) Officers Association, West Wales Training and Enterprise Council Ltd and, more recently, the Glamorgan County History Trust.

Despite such a heavy commitment to the commercial life of this area, Commodore Hastie has found time to play an important role in the community and civic life of Swansea and West Glamorgan.

From 1989 until 2003 he served as a Magistrate and was High Sheriff of West Glamorgan in 1977/8. Since 1995 he has been a member of the Court of Governors of Swansea University, a position which has secured a strong link between the Establishment and academia.

His service to others was recognised by the award of the Reserve Decoration in 1968 with the Bar added in 1978. In 1983 he became a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and in 1996 The Order of St John Priory for Wales made him a Commander (Brother) and in 2006 a Knight of Grace of that Order. Sir Robert was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of Swansea University in 2007.