The
diplomatic corps or
corps diplomatique is the collective body of foreign
diplomats accredited to a particular country or body.
The diplomatic corps may, in certain contexts, refer to the collection of
accredited heads of mission (
ambassadors,
high commissioners, and others) who represent their
countries in another state or country. As a body, they usually only assemble to attend state functions like a
coronation,
inauguration,
national day or
State Opening of Parliament, depending on local custom. They may also assemble in the royal or presidential
palace to give their own
head of state's New Year greeting to the head of state of the country in which they are based.
The term is sometimes confused with the collective body of diplomats
from a particular country—the proper term for which is
diplomatic service or foreign service. The diplomatic corps is not always given any formal recognition by its host country, but can be referenced by official
orders of precedence.
In many countries, and especially in Africa, the heads and the foreign members of the country offices of major international organizations (
United Nations agencies, the
European Union, the
International Committee of the Red Cross, agencies of the
African Union, etc.) are considered members—and granted the rights and privileges—of the diplomatic corps.
Diplomatic personnel in most countries have distinctive license plates, often with the prefix
CD, the acronym for the French
corps diplomatique.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps
In some countries, the longest-serving
ambassador to a country or the
apostolic nuncio is given the title Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and is sometimes accorded a high position in the
order of precedence. In
New Zealand, for example, the dean takes precedence over figures such as the deputy prime minister, former governors-general, and the chief justice. The diplomatic corps may also cooperate amongst itself on a number of matters, including certain dealings with the host government.
In many countries the papal nuncio (officially known as the apostolic nuncio) serves as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the corps spokesman on formal occasions. By virtue of Article 4 of the protocol of
June 9,
1815 of the
Congress of Vienna, the nuncio is dean of the diplomatic corps in the country of appointment. This is generally the case for countries that have
Roman Catholicism as the official or main religion.
In practical terms, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps may have a role to play in negotiating with local authorities regarding the application of aspects of the
Vienna Convention and
diplomatic immunity, such as the payment of certain fees or taxes, since the receiving country is required "not to discriminate between states." In this sense, the dean has the role of representing the entire diplomatic corps for matters that affect the corps as a whole, although this function is rarely formalized.
Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps
Her Majesty's
Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps is a senior member of the Royal Household of the Sovereign of the
United Kingdom.
See also
Category:DiplomacyCategory:State ritual and ceremoniescs:Diplomatický sborda:Corps diplomatiquede:Diplomatisches Corpset:Diplomaatiline korpusel:Διπλωματικό Σώμαes:Cuerpo diplomáticofr:Corps diplomatiquehr:Diplomatski zborlt:Diplomatinis korpusasnl:Corps Diplomatiqueno:Corps diplomatiquepl:Korpus dyplomatycznykaa:Diplomatiyalıq korpusru:Дипломатический корпусsk:Doyensh:Diplomatski zborfi:CD-rekisterikilpi
