Complex sentence: In England and Wales, the office is unpaid privilege with ceremonial duties, the sheriffs being appointed annually by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council except in Cornwall where the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of Cornwall.
Split into simpler sentences: In England and Wales, the office is unpaid and almost wholly ceremonial, most of the sheriffs being appointed by the Crown through a warrant from the Privy Council. In Cornwall, the High Sheriff is appointed by the Duke of Cornwall.