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The Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, also referred to as the (English or British) Poet Laureate, is an honorary position appointed by the monarch of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Prime Minister. The role does not entail any specific duties, but there is an expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions.[1][2] The role has been held by Carol Ann Duffy since May 2009.[3] The United Kingdom also has a "Children's poet laureate", currently Malorie Blackman.
The role was entitled the Poet Laureate of the Kingdom of England until the Acts of Union 1707, when it became the Poet Laureate of the Kingdom of Great Britain. The present title, Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, has been used since the Acts of Union 1800.
The post was traditionally held for life, with John Dryden being the only holder to have been dismissed, in 1688, due to his refusal to swear an oath of allegiance to the new king, William III. From Andrew Motion in 1999, the appointment has been for 10 years.[4]
In May 2009 Carol Ann Duffy became the first woman, the first Scot and the first openly gay person to be appointed to the position.[5]
The role of Poet Laureate is an honorary position that entails no specific duties, although there is an expectation that the holder will write verse for significant national occasions.[1][2] An annual honorarium is provided, currently £5,760.[2] The holder is also traditionally rewarded with a butt of canary or sack, approximately 477 litres (105 imperial gallons), of sherry.[1][3] Cash payments have been presented as an alternative to wine: in 1952, for example, John Masefield was given £27 (equivalent to £658 in 2014).[6][7]
Under the title versificator regis: