Sequential hierarchy of nominal importance of people in England and Wales
The following is the order of precedence in England and Wales as of June 2024. Separate orders exist for men and women.
Names in italics indicate that these people rank elsewhere—either higher in that table of precedence or in the table for the other sex. Titles in italics indicate the same thing for their holders, or that they are vacant.
Peers and their families make up a large part of these tables. It is possible for a peer to hold more than one title of nobility, and these may belong to different ranks and peerages. A peer derives his precedence from his highest-ranking title; peeresses derive their precedence in the same way, whether they hold their highest-ranking title in their own right or by marriage. The ranks in the tables refer to peers rather than titles: if exceptions are named for a rank, these do not include peers of a higher rank (or any peers at all, in the case of baronets). No exceptions are named for most categories, owing to their large size.
Gentlemen
Royalty, archbishops, et al.
Royal family
Precedence is accorded to spouses, children and grandchildren of the reigning sovereign, as well as children and grandchildren of former sovereigns.
Archbishops, High Officers of State, et al.
Nobility, bishops, et al.
Dukes, et al.
Marquesses, et al.
Earls, et al.
Viscounts, et al.
Bishops
Barons/Lords of Parliament
Gentry, et al.
Master of the Rolls and Supreme Court Justices
Royal Household officials
Cabinet, et al.
The Prime Minister determines the order of precedence for Secretaries of State as part of the ministerial ranking (also known as the order of precedence in Cabinet).
Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter and Knights of the Order of the Thistle
Privy Counsellors, et al.
Senior judges, et al.
Baronets
Knights
Lower level judges, et al.
Companions, commanders, lieutenants and officers of various orders
Eldest sons of various grades
| Note | Ref |
Eldest sons of younger sons of hereditary peers in their own right | Ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders | |
Eldest sons of baronets | Ordered according to the precedence of the baronets | |
Eldest sons of knights | Ordered according to the precedence of the knights | |
Members of various orders
Younger sons of various grades
| Note | Ref |
Younger sons of baronets | Ordered according to the precedence of the baronets | |
Younger sons of knights | Ordered according to the precedence of the knights | |
Ladies
Royal Family
The order of precedence accorded to women of the royal family:
High Officers of State, et al.
Nobility and bishops
Duchesses, et al.
Marchionesses, et al.
Countesses, et al.
Viscountesses, et al.
Female bishops
Baronesses
| Note | Ref |
Secretaries of State Being of the degree of a baroness | None at present | |
England | Ordered according to date of creation | |
Scotland | Ordered according to date of creation | |
Great Britain | Ordered according to date of creation | |
Ireland | Ordered according to date of creation | |
United Kingdom | Ordered according to date of creation | [ax] |
[w] |
Gentry, et al.
Supreme Court Justices
Royal Household officials
Cabinet, et al.
Title |
Secretaries of State Under the degree of a Baroness |
Wives of Viscounts' eldest sons |
Daughters of Viscounts not married to peers |
Wives of younger sons of Earls |
Wives of eldest sons of Barons |
Daughters of Barons not married to peers |
The Prime Minister determines the order of precedence for Secretaries of State as part of the ministerial ranking (also known as the order of precedence in Cabinet).
Ladies and dames, et al.
Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter and Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
Wife | Husband who is/was member | Ref |
Lady (Poppy) Anderson | Sir Eric Anderson | |
Lady (Gillian) Morrison | Sir Garth Morrison | [ba] |
Lady (Helen) Wood | Sir Ian Wood |
Lady (Daphne) Reid | The Rt Hon. Sir George Reid |
Lady (Margaret) Palmer | Sir Geoff Palmer |
Privy Counsellors, et al.
Senior judges, et al.
Dames
Lower level judges
Title | Holder | Ref |
The Circuit Judges | | |
Members of orders, et al.
- Members of the following orders:
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire[bd]
- Wives of Companions of the following orders:
- Order of the Bath
- Order of the Star of India
- Order of St Michael and St George
- Order of the Indian Empire
- Royal Victorian Order
- Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
Wives and daughters of peers, baronets, and knights, et al.
- Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
- Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
- Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
- Daughters of baronets
- Wives of eldest sons of knights:
- Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Knights of the Order of St Patrick
- Knights Grand Cross or Grand Commander
- Knights Commander
- Daughters of knights:
- Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross or Grand Commander
- Daughters of Knights Commander
- Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of members of the Order of the British Empire
Wives of younger sons
- Wives of younger sons of baronets
- Wives of younger sons of knights:
- Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Knights of the Order of St Patrick
- Knights Grand Cross or Knights Grand Commander
- Knights Commander
Notes
- ^ Ordered according to the rules of primogeniture.
- ^ "From [1726] onwards it has been the settled practice to place the male members of the Royal Family in the following order: the Sovereign's son, grandsons, brothers, uncles and nephews".[2]
- ^ Legally HRH Prince James of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's son per his parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- ^ "in the outcome [in 1850] The Duke of Cambridge was not only placed in Garter's Roll above all the other dukes, but also above the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chancellor, despite his not falling within the ambit of s. 4 of the Act of 1539. This precedent has been followed in all subsequent similar cases."[4]
- ^ Sir Gordon Messenger was the recent Lord High Steward in the 2023 Coronation.
- ^ The title of Prime Minister was used unofficially in the 18th and 19th centuries for the First Lord of the Treasury; it first received official recognition with a royal warrant of 2 December 1905, which assigned the Prime Minister precedence immediately after that of the Archbishop of York.[7][8]
- ^ The Duke of Shrewsbury was the last person to hold the office of Lord High Treasurer until his resignation in 1714. Lords Commissioners of the Treasury do not exercise the office of Lord High Treasurer.
- ^ The speakership of the House of Lords was historically vested in the Lord Chancellor; following the creation of a separate office of Lord Speaker, its rank and precedence was established by a royal warrant dated 4 July 2006 as being immediately after that of the Speaker of the House of Commons.[10][11]
- ^ When visiting the United Kingdom, cabinet ministers of foreign countries are given precedence immediately above that of their country's High Commissioner (if in the Commonwealth) or Ambassador (if not).
- ^ Sir Tony Radakin was the recent Lord High Constable in the 2023 Coronation.
- ^ It is unclear whether the office is vacant or vested in the Crown, since the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
- ^ If the Master of the Horse holds a rank lower than a duke in the peerage, then by royal warrant dated 6 May 1907, he ranks next after the Lord Chamberlain.[15]
- ^ Excepting The Duke of Norfolk who ranks higher as the Earl Marshal.
- ^ The Dukedom of Abercorn was created after the Acts of Union 1800. It takes precedence after earlier Dukedoms of the United Kingdom.
- ^ The Marquess of Londonderry (Earl Vane and Viscount Seaham in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, Baron Stewart in the Peerage of the United Kingdom and The Marquess Conyngham (Baron Minster in the Peerage of the United Kingdom) was created after the Acts of Union 1800. They take precedence after earlier Marquessates of the United Kingdom.
- ^ Excepting The Earl of Snowdon, who rank higher as a member of the royal family.
- ^ Excepting The Earl of Rosslyn, who rank higher as Lord Steward of the Household.
- ^ The Earl of Limerick (The Baron Foxford in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Earl of Clancarty (The Viscount Clancarty in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, The Baron Trench in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Earl of Rosse, The Earl of Gosford (The Baron Worlington in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, The Baron Acheson in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Earl of Normanton (The Baron Mendip in the Peerage of Great Britain, The Baron Somerton in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Earl of Kilmorey, The Earl of Listowel (The Baron Hare in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Earl of Norbury and The Earl of Ranfurly (The Baron Ranfurly in the Peerage of the United Kingdom) was created after the Acts of Union 1800. It takes precedence after earlier Earldoms of the United Kingdom.
- ^ The Viscount Monck (The Baron Monck in the Peerage of the United Kingdom) and The Viscount Gort was created after the Acts of Union 1800. It takes precedence after earlier Viscountcies of the United Kingdom.
- ^ a b Excepting the Archbishops of Canterbury and York who rank higher as the Primate of All England and the Primate of England respectively.
- ^ a b The number of bishops entitled to sit in the House of Lords has been fixed at 21 since the 16th century; they were all male until 2015, when women who are bishops began to be introduced to the House of Lords under the terms of the Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015.
- ^ Excepting The Lord Carrington, who ranks higher as Lord Great Chamberlain.
- ^ a b Barons and baronesses for life created under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 and the Life Peerages Act 1958.
- ^ Excepting The Lord McFall of Alcluith, who ranks higher as Lord Speaker of the House of Lords.
- ^ Excepting The Lord Reed of Allermuir, who ranks higher as the President of the Supreme Court.
- ^ Excepting The Lord True who ranks higher as the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
- ^ Excepting The Lord Parker of Minsmere who ranks higher as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
- ^ Excepting The Lord de Mauley who ranks higher as the Master of the Horse.
- ^ The Baron Rendlesham, The Baron Castlemaine, The Baron Decies, The Baron Garvagh, The Baron Talbot of Malahide, The Baron Carew (The Baron Carew in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Baron Oranmore and Browne (The Baron Mereworth in the Peerage of the United Kingdom), The Baron Bellew, The Baron Fermoy and The Baron Rathdonnell was created after the Acts of Union 1800. They take precedence after earlier Barons of the United Kingdom.
- ^ Justices of the Supreme Court who are not peers have the right to the courtesy title of "Lord" or "Lady" for life by authority of royal warrant issued 10 December 2010.[17][18]
- ^ a b c d Who are not already ranked higher in precedence as peers or royalty.
- ^ The last Knight, Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, died in 1974.
- ^ a b Privy Counsellors who do not already rank higher are mostly current or former politicians, civil servants, royal household staff, clergy and judiciary.
- ^ He ranks higher as a non-royal duke.
- ^ a b c d e Ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor.
- ^ Ranks higher as a Secretary of State under the degree of a Baron
- ^ This office was historically held jointly with that of Lord Chief Justice; following their separation, a royal warrant dated 30 September 2005 declared that "the rank and precedence of the President of the Queen's Bench Division shall be so placed as to be in order immediately before the President of the Family Division".[20]
- ^ Lords Justices of Appeal are customarily made Privy Counsellors, and thus rank accordingly.
- ^ a b Judges of the High Court are customarily made Knights Bachelor or Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire after having taken office and thus rank accordingly.
- ^ Rank and precedence set by royal warrant, dated 21 July 1958.[22]
- ^ Baronetcies belong to any of five baronetages, namely the Baronetages of England (1611–1705), Nova Scotia (1625–1706), Ireland (1620–1799), Great Britain (1707–1800) and the United Kingdom (1801–present); this does not affect their precedence in relation to each other.
- ^ a b The last Knight Grand Commander, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, Maharaja of Travancore, died in 1991.
- ^ The last Knight Commander, Tej Singh Prabhakar, Maharaja of Alwar, died in 2009.
- ^ The last Knight Commander, Meghrajji III, Maharaja of Dhrangadhra-Halvad, died in 2010.
- ^ He ranks higher as a High Court judge; it is customary for a High Court judge to be named to this position.
- ^ In order of appointment.
- ^ The last Companion, Ronald Brockman, died in 1999.
- ^ The last Companion, Ian Dixon Scott, died in 2002.
- ^ Legally HRH Princess Louise of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's daughter per her parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- ^ Excepting The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill who ranks higher as the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales.
- ^ Widow of Sir Edmund Hillary who is a New Zealand Citizen may use this when visiting the United Kingdom.
- ^ Also titled Dame Norma Major, a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in her own right but with lower precedence.
- ^ Widow of Sir Garth Morrison.
- ^ The most recent, Anne Maxwell Macdonald, died in 2011.
- ^ Dame Norma Major DBE also has a higher precedence as the wife of Sir John Major KG.
- ^ Cherie Blair CBE also has a higher precedence as the wife of Sir Tony Blair KG.
References
- ^ a b c d House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–House of Lords Precedence Act (31 Hen. 8. c. 10), Section 4
- ^ Squibb, G.D. (1981). "General Precedence among Men since 1534". Order of Precedence in England and Wales. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 28.
- ^ a b c d e "Order of Precedence in England and Wales". Heraldica. 2001. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ Squibb, G.D. (1981). "General Precedence among Men since 1534". Order of Precedence in England and Wales. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 29.
- ^ a b Squibb, G.D. (1981). "The Lord Chamberlain's Order of 1520, as amended in 1595". Order of Precedence in England and Wales. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. pp. 99–101.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–House of Lords Precedence Act (31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 10
- ^ Brazier, Rodney (1997). Ministers of the Crown. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 5–6. ISBN 0-19-825988-3.
- ^ "No. 27860". The London Gazette. 5 December 1905. p. 8735.
- ^ "No. 31380". The London Gazette. 3 June 1919. p. 7059.
- ^ "The College of Arms Newsletter, No. 11". College of Arms. December 2006. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "No. 58050". The London Gazette. 21 July 2006. p. 9986.
- ^ a b c "No. 59201". The London Gazette. 1 October 2009.
- ^ "Appointment of Lord Chief Justice: 15 June 2023". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ "No. 38487". The London Gazette. 24 December 1948. p. 6670.
- ^ "No. 28019". The London Gazette. 7 May 1907. pp. 3080–3081.
- ^ "No. 58529". The London Gazette. 30 November 2007. p. 17439.
- ^ "Press Notice – Courtesy titles for Justices of the Supreme Court" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "No. 59746". The London Gazette. 1 April 2011. pp. 6177–6178.
- ^ "Ministerial appointments: November 2023". GOV.UK. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "No. 57794". The London Gazette. 24 October 2005. p. 13701.
- ^ "President of the King's Bench Division". www.judiciary.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ "No. 41454". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 July 1958. pp. 4641–4642.
- ^ "Orders and Medals". cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Cabinet Office. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
- ^ "Resident Judge Appointment: HHJ Andrew Menary KC". www.judiciary.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ "Senior Circuit Judge Appointment – Stockdale". www.judiciary.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
- ^ "Common Serjeant Appointment: Marks". www.judiciary.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2019.