The following is the order of precedence in England and Wales as of July 2025. 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.
| Title |
Holder |
Ref
|
| Archbishop of Canterbury
|
None; vacant since 7 January 2025
|
[5][6]
|
| Lord High Steward
|
None; ceremonial and only appointed for coronations
|
[e]
|
| Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
|
|
Shabana Mahmood
|
Office held by a woman
|
[7]
|
| Archbishop of York
|
|
Stephen Cottrell
|
[5][6]
|
| Prime Minister
|
|
Sir Keir Starmer
|
[f]
|
| Lord High Treasurer
|
None; vacant since 1714
|
[g][7]
|
| Lord President of the Council
|
|
Lucy Powell, MP
|
Office held by a woman
|
[7]
|
| Speaker of the House of Commons
|
|
Sir Lindsay Hoyle
|
[10]
|
| Lord Speaker
|
|
John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith
|
[h]
|
| President of the Supreme Court
|
|
Robert Reed, Baron Reed of Allermuir
|
[13]
|
| Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales
|
|
Sue Carr, Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill
|
Office held by a woman
|
[14]
|
| Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal
|
|
Angela Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon
|
Office held by a woman
|
[7]
|
| The Ambassadors and High Commissioners to the United Kingdom in order of arrival
|
[i][15]
|
| Lord Great Chamberlain
|
Rupert Carington, 7th Baron Carrington
|
[16]
|
| Lord High Constable
|
None; ceremonial and only appointed for coronations
|
[j][16]
|
| Earl Marshal
|
Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk
|
[16]
|
| Lord High Admiral
|
Charles III
|
[k][16]
|
| Lord Steward of the Household
|
Peter St Clair-Erskine, 7th Earl of Rosslyn
|
[16]
|
| Lord Chamberlain of the Household
|
|
Richard Benyon, Baron Benyon
|
[16]
|
| Master of the Horse
|
|
Henry Ashton, 4th Baron Ashton of Hyde
|
[l]
|
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
| Title |
Holder |
Ref
|
| Master of the Rolls
|
|
Sir Geoffrey Vos
|
[14]
|
| Deputy President of the Supreme Court
|
|
Patrick Hodge, Lord Hodge
|
[13]
|
| Justices of the Supreme Court
|
|
David Lloyd Jones, Lord Lloyd-Jones
|
[13][ac]
|
|
|
Michael Briggs, Lord Briggs of Westbourne
|
|
|
Philip Sales, Lord Sales
|
|
|
Nicholas Hamblen, Lord Hamblen of Kersey
|
|
|
George Leggatt, Lord Leggatt
|
|
|
Andrew Burrows, Lord Burrows
|
|
|
Ben Stephens, Lord Stephens of Creevyloughgare
|
|
|
Vivien Rose, Lady Rose of Colmworth
|
Office held by a woman
|
|
|
David Richards, Lord Richards of Camberwell
|
|
|
Ingrid Simler, Lady Simler
|
Office held by a woman
|
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:
| Position |
Holder
|
| Consort of the sovereign
|
Queen Camilla[27]
|
| Daughters-in-law of the sovereign
|
Catherine, Princess of Wales
|
| Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
|
| Daughters of the sovereign
|
None at present
|
| Wives of grandsons of the sovereign
|
None at present
|
| Granddaughters of the sovereign
|
Princess Charlotte of Wales
|
| Princess Lilibet of Sussex
|
| Sisters-in-law of the sovereign
|
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
|
| Sisters of the sovereign
|
Anne, Princess Royal
|
| Wives of uncles of the sovereign
|
None at present
|
| Aunts of the sovereign
|
None at present
|
| Wives of nephews of the sovereign
|
None at present
|
| Nieces of the sovereign
|
Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
|
| Princess Eugenie, Mrs Jack Brooksbank
|
| Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor[at]
|
| Mrs Zara Tindall
|
Wives of grandsons of former
sovereigns who are dukes
|
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
|
| Katharine, Duchess of Kent
|
Wives of grandsons of former
sovereigns who are not dukes
|
Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon
|
| Princess Michael of Kent
|
| Granddaughters of former sovereigns
|
Lady Sarah Chatto
|
| Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy
|
High Officers of State, et al.
Nobility and bishops
Duchesses, et al.
Marchionesses, et al.
Countesses, et al.
|
Note |
Ref
|
| England
|
Ordered according to date of creation
|
|
| Scotland
|
Ordered according to the Decreet of Ranking of 1606 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
|
|
Wives of younger sons of royal dukes
who are not already ranked higher
|
Lady Nicholas Windsor (wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor)
|
|
| Wives of eldest sons of marquesses according to the precedence of the peerage holders
|
| Daughters of Princes who are not Royal Dukes
|
Lady Gabriella Kingston (only daughter of Prince Michael of Kent)
|
|
| Daughters of marquesses not married to peers
|
| Wives of younger sons of dukes according to the precedence of the peerage holders
|
Viscountesses, et al.
|
Note |
Ref
|
| England
|
Viscountess Hereford
|
|
| 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
|
|
| Wives of eldest sons of earls according to the precedence of the peerage holders
|
| Lady Frederick Windsor (wife of Lord Frederick Windsor)
|
| Daughters of earls not married to peers
|
| Wives of younger sons of marquesses ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders
|
Female bishops
Baronesses
Gentry, et al.
Supreme Court Justices
Female 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
Female Privy Counsellors, et al.
Senior judges, et al.
Dames
Lower level 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[bc]
- 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 Queen Elizabeth II.
- ^ "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.[8][9]
- ^ Charles Talbot, 1st 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.[11][12]
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ranks higher as the Sovereign
- ^ 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.[17]
- ^ Excepting Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th 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 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.
- ^ Viscount Monck (The Baron Monck in the Peerage of the United Kingdom) and 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 Benyon who ranks higher as the Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
- ^ Excepting The Lord Ashton of Hyde 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.[18][19]
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f Ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor.
- ^ 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 Queen Elizabeth II.
- ^ Excepting The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill who ranks higher as the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales.
- ^ Excepting The Baroness Smith of Basildon who ranks higher as the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ranks higher as a Baroness
- ^ 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 1
- ^ 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 c House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–(31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 3
- ^ 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 House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–(31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 4 (in Parliament)–(31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 10 (Not in Parliament)
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "No. 58529". The London Gazette. 30 November 2007. p. 17439.
- ^ "No. 38487". The London Gazette. 24 December 1948. p. 6670.
- ^ a b c d e f House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–(31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 5 (in Parliament)–(31 Henry VIII C. 10), Section 10 (Not in Parliament)
- ^ "No. 28019". The London Gazette. 7 May 1907. pp. 3080–3081.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ qiongbolan [@qiongbolan] (22 October 2024). "Post showcasing images of Queen Camilla's Royal Standard in use in Australia during the Royal Tour of Australia, 2024" (Tweet) – via Twitter.