The United Kingdom was the first country in the world to recognise the Latvian Provisional National Council as a de facto independent institution on 11 November 1918 (a week before Latvia declared independence on 18 November 1918), and the delegate Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics as the unofficial diplomatic representative of the Latvian Provisional Government in the United Kingdom.
The armed forces of the United Kingdom participated in the Latvian War of Independence in 1919. In the spring of 1919, when most of Latvia was occupied by the Bolsheviks, the steamship Saratov, anchored in the Baltic Sea near Liepāja and serving temporarily as the refuge and operational base of the Latvian Provisional Government and its leader Kārlis Ulmanis, was under the protection of British warships. This British support reinforced the image of the United Kingdom as a friendly superpower in Latvian society.
On 26 January 1921, the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers (Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom) recognised the state of Latvia de iure. On 6 May 1921, the Latvian legation was established in the United Kingdom, and Georgs Bisenieks was appointed as Latvia’s envoy.
The United Kingdom was among the countries that never recognised the occupation and incorporation of Latvia into the USSR. After the occupation of Latvia on 17 June 1940, Kārlis Zariņš, Latvia’s envoy in the United Kingdom, based on the extraordinary powers granted by the Government of the Republic of Latvia, continued to represent the interests of the state of Latvia and its citizens in Western Europe. The principled stance of the United Kingdom allowed the Latvian legation and its diplomats in London to continue their work throughout the years of occupation, thus ensuring the de iure continuity of the Republic of Latvia.
On 27 August 1991, the United Kingdom, jointly with other member countries of the European Community, recognised the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia. On 8 October 1991, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom, Richard Samuel, began his work in Riga. At the time when Latvia regained its independence, the Latvia’s representation in London was headed by Marie-Anne Zariņa, daughter of envoy Kārlis Zariņš. The first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Latvia to the United Kingdom was Jānis Lūsis.
Latvia’s diplomatic representation in the United Kingdom
The Embassy of Latvia is located in London.
Atis Lots was appointed the Ambassador of Latvia to the United Kingdom on 29 August 2024.
Previous Ambassadors of Latvia to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:
- 1993–1996 Jānis Lūsis;
- 1997–2001 Normans Penke;
- 2001–2002 Imants Daudišs;
- 2002–2004 Jānis Dripe;
- 2005–2009 Indulis Bērziņš;
- 2009–2013 Eduards Stiprais;
- 2013–2016 Andris Teikmanis;
- 2016–2020 Baiba Braže;
- 2020–2024 Ivita Burmistre.
Latvia has three Honorary Consuls in the United Kingdom:
- since May 2015, George Stephen Gillie has been Honorary Consul with responsibility for the North East of England;
- since May 2016, Karen Tracey has been Honorary Consul with responsibility for West Midlands;
- since May 2016, David Kaye has been Honorary Consul with responsibility for Glasgow.
United Kingdom’s diplomatic representation in Latvia
The Embassy of the United Kingdom is located in Riga.
Katherine Jane Leach has been serving as the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Latvia since 18 August 2025.
