In 1965, when Earl Mountbatten retired as Chief of the Defence Staff, Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as Governor, Captain and Steward of the Isle of Wight in succession to the 7th Duke of Wellington. This preserved the close association of the Mountbatten family with this Island. In 1974 legislation to make changes in County administration led to the Isle of Wight, having been an independent administrative county since 1889, being granted full county status. Lord Mountbatten became its first Lord Lieutenant, combining it with his duties as Governor, Captain and Steward. He invited Sir John Nicholson to be his Vice Lord Lieutenant and delegated to him his duties as Custos Rotulorum. The Isle of Wight also then became eligible to have its own High Sheriff.” – edited by the 4th Lord Mottistone.