As per a media statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), on 18^th September, 2023, Lisa Bandari, daughter of Kay and Darayus Bandari, has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Portugal, UK’s oldest ally. Lisa will take up her appointment in January, next year. She succeeds Chris Sainty.

Lisa Bandari was serving at the FCDO as Deputy Director for India and HMG India Coordinator. She was earlier with the Department for Exiting the EU, as Deputy Director for Ongoing EU Business and Third Country Preparation (2017-2020). Some of her earlier professional roles include Director of Corporate Services – Nairobi; Director of Policy and External Relations – Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan; and Head of Internal Political Section – Kabul.

The Anglo-Portuguese alliance is the oldest alliance known in history. The Treaty of Windsor was signed on 9^th May, 1386, between King John I of Portugal and the King Richard II of England, over 630 years ago. The friendship between England and Portugal goes back to 1147 when English crusaders helped King Alfonso I capture Lisbon from the Moors. This led to an English colony in Lisbon and to frequent contacts between the nobles of the two countries. In 1386 Richard II of England agreed the Treaty of Windsor with John I of Portugal, pledging mutual support.