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The following is the order of precedence in England and Wales as of June 2013^[update]. Separate orders exist for gentlemen and ladies.

Names in italics indicate that these people rank elsewhere—either higher in that table of precedence or in the table for the other gender. 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 their 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, due to their large size.

Gentlemen[edit]

Royalty, archbishops, et al.[edit]

Royal Family[edit]

• The Sovereign (regardless of gender)
• The Duke of Edinburgh (the Sovereign's spouse)^{[nb 1]}
• The Heir Apparent (The Prince of Wales)
• Younger sons of the Sovereign
  • The Duke of York
  • The Earl of Wessex
• Grandsons of the Sovereign (ordered according to the rules of primogeniture)
  • The Duke of Cambridge
  • Prince Harry of Wales
  • Viscount Severn
  • Peter Phillips
• Brothers of the Sovereign (none at present)^[2]
• Uncles of the Sovereign (none at present)
• Nephews of the Sovereign
  • Viscount Linley
• Royal grandsons of former sovereigns who are dukes^[2]
  • The Duke of Gloucester
  • The Duke of Kent
• Royal grandsons of former sovereigns who are not dukes
  • Prince Michael of Kent

Archbishops, High Officers of State, et al.[edit]

• The Archbishop of Canterbury (Justin Welby)
• The Lord High Chancellor (Chris Grayling MP)
• The Archbishop of York (John Sentamu)
• The Prime Minister (David Cameron MP)
• Commonwealth Prime Ministers (while visiting the UK, in order of appointment)
• The Lord High Treasurer (none; in commission since 1714)
• The Lord President of the Council (Nick Clegg MP)
• The Speaker of the House of Commons (John Bercow MP)
• The Lord Speaker^{[nb 2]} (office currently held by a woman, Baroness D'Souza)
• The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom^[5] (Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury)
• The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales^[6] (The Lord Judge)
• The Lord Privy Seal (Andrew Lansley MP)
• Ambassadors and High Commissioners (in order of arrival)^{[nb 3]}
• The Lord High Constable of England (none; ceremonial and only appointed for coronations)
• The Earl Marshal (The Duke of Norfolk)
• The Lord High Admiral (The Duke of Edinburgh, who ranks higher as the Sovereign's spouse)

Nobility, bishops, et al.[edit]

Dukes, et al.[edit]

• 9 Dukes of England (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The Duke of Norfolk, who ranks higher as Earl Marshal
• 6 Dukes of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
• 2 Dukes of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
• 1 Duke of Ireland created before 1801 (The Duke of Leinster)
• 5 Non-royal Dukes of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
• Eldest sons of royal dukes
  • Earl of Ulster (son of the Duke of Gloucester)
  • Earl of St Andrews (son of the Duke of Kent)
• Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries

Marquesses, et al.[edit]

• The Lord Great Chamberlain (The Marquess of Cholmondeley)
• 1 Marquess of England (The Marquess of Winchester)
• 4 Marquesses of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
• 6 Marquesses of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
• 6 Marquesses of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
• 16 Marquesses of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The Marquess of Cholmondeley, who ranks higher as Lord Great Chamberlain
• Eldest sons of non-royal dukes (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)

Earls, et al.[edit]

• The Lord Steward of the Household (The Earl of Dalhousie)^{[nb 4]}
• The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (The Earl Peel)^{[nb 4]}
• The Master of the Horse (The Lord Vestey)^{[nb 5]}
• 20 Earls of England (ordered according to date of creation)
• 35 Earls of Scotland (ordered according to the Decreet of Ranking of 1606 and the date of creation), excepting:
  • The earldom of Selkirk, which is presently disclaimed^{[nb 6]}
  • The earldoms of Mar and Sutherland, which are currently held by women; and
  • The Earl of Dalhousie, who ranks higher as Lord Steward of the Household
• 24 Earls of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
• 30 Earls of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
• 75 Earls of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The earldom of Mountbatten of Burma, which is currently held by a woman;
  • The Earl of Wessex, who ranks higher as a member of the Royal Family; and
  • The Earl Peel, who ranks higher as Lord Chamberlain of the Household
• Younger sons of royal dukes (Lord Nicholas Windsor, son of the Duke of Kent)
• Eldest sons of marquesses (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
• Younger sons of non-royal dukes (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)

Viscounts, et al.[edit]

• 1 Viscount of England (The Viscount Hereford)
• 3 Viscounts of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
• 5 Viscounts of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
• 23 Viscounts of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
• 81 Viscounts of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The viscountcy of Stansgate, which is presently disclaimed^{[nb 7]}
• Eldest sons of earls and of countesses in their own right (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders), excepting:
  • Viscount Severn (son of the Earl of Wessex)
• Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)^[2]
• Younger sons of marquesses (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)

Bishops[edit]

• The Bishop of London (Richard Chartres)
• The Bishop of Durham (currently vacant)
• The Bishop of Winchester (Tim Dakin)
• 21 other Church of England diocesan bishops with seats in the House of Lords (ordered according to seniority of confirmation of election)
• 16 other Church of England diocesan bishops (ordered according to seniority of confirmation of election)
• Suffragan bishops (ordered according to seniority of confirmation of election)
• Retired Church of England diocesan archbishops and bishops (ordered according to original date of confirmation of election)

Barons[edit]

• Secretaries of State being of the degree of a baron (none at present)
• 32 Barons of England (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The baronies of Fauconberg, Willoughby de Eresby, Berners, Braye, Howard de Walden and Arlington, which are currently held by women
• 16 Scottish Lords of Parliament (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
  • The lordships of Saltoun, Herries of Terregles and Kinloss, which are currently held by women
• 24 Barons of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
• 33 Barons of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
• Hereditary barons of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801, and barons for life of the United Kingdom^{[nb 8]} (ordered according to date of creation^{[nb 9]}), excepting:
  • The presently disclaimed four hereditary baronies of Merthyr, Reith, Silkin and Sanderson of Ayot;
  • Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, who ranks higher as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom;
  • Lord Judge, who ranks higher as Lord Chief Justice;
  • Lord Vestey, who ranks higher as Master of the Horse;
  • Lord Carey and Lord Williams of Oystermouth, who rank higher as retired Archbishops of Canterbury;
  • Lord Habgood and Lord Hope of Thornes, who rank higher as retired Archbishops of York; and
  • Lord Harries, who ranks higher as a retired Bishop of Oxford

Gentry, et al.[edit]

Master of the Rolls and Supreme Court Justices[edit]

• The Master of the Rolls^[6] (Lord Dyson^{[nb 10]})
• The Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom^[5] (Lord Hope of Craighead, who ranks higher as a baron for life)
• Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom other than the President and the Deputy President^[5] (excepting Baroness Hale of Richmond, a woman)
  • Lord Mance (ranks higher as a baron for life)
  • Lord Kerr of Tonaghmore (ranks higher as a baron for life)
  • Lord Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony (ranks higher as a baron for life)
  • Lord Wilson of Culworth^{[nb 10]}
  • Lord Sumption^{[nb 10]}
  • Lord Reed^{[nb 10]}
  • Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill^{[nb 10]}
  • Lord Hughes of Ombersley
  • Lord Toulson

Royal Household officials[edit]

• Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal (none; last appointed in 1850)^[2]
• The Treasurer of the Household (John Randall MP)
• The Comptroller of the Household (Alistair Carmichael MP)
• The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Greg Knight MP)

Cabinet, et al.[edit]

• Secretaries of State under the degree of a baron^{[nb 11]}
  • The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (William Hague MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Defence (Philip Hammond MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (Vince Cable MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Iain Duncan Smith MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling MP, who ranks higher as Lord Chancellor)
  • The Secretary of State for Education (Michael Gove MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Eric Pickles MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Health (Jeremy Hunt MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Owen Paterson MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Scotland (Michael Moore MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change (Edward Davey MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Transport (Patrick McLoughlin MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Wales (David Jones MP)
  • The Secretaries of State for the Home Department; for International Development; for Culture, Media and Sport; and for Northern Ireland are currently women
• Eldest sons of viscounts (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
• Younger sons of earls and of countesses in their own right (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
• Eldest sons of hereditary barons, Lords of Parliament, hereditary baronesses in their own right and Ladies of Parliament in their own right (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)

Knights of the Garter and Knights of the Thistle[edit]

• Knights of the Garter (KG) (who are not already ranked higher in precedence as peers or royalty)
  • Sir Ninian Stephen
  • Sir Timothy Colman
  • Sir William Gladstone, Bt
  • Sir Antony Acland
  • Sir John Major
  • Sir Thomas Dunne
• Knights of the Thistle (KT) (who are not already ranked higher in precedence as peers or royalty)
  • Sir Eric Anderson
• Knights of St Patrick (none; order dormant^{[nb 12]})

Privy Counsellors, et al.[edit]

• Privy Counsellors (PC) (ordered according to date of oath-taking)^{[nb 13]}
• The Chancellor of the Order of the Garter (The Duke of Abercorn, who ranks higher as a non-royal duke)
• The Chancellor of the Exchequer (George Osborne MP, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
• The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (The Lord Hill of Oareford, who ranks higher as a baron for life)

Senior judges, et al.[edit]

• Senior judges
  • The President of the Queen's Bench Division^{[nb 14]} (Sir John Thomas, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
  • The President of the Family Division of the High Court (Sir James Munby, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
  • The Chancellor of the High Court (Sir Terence Etherton, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
  • Lords Justices of Appeal (ordered according to seniority of appointment; Lords Justices of Appeal are customarily made Privy Counsellors, and thus rank accordingly)
• Judges of the High Court (ordered according to seniority of appointment; Judges of the High Court are customarily made Knights Bachelor and thus rank accordingly)
• Younger sons of viscounts (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
• Younger sons of hereditary barons, Lords of Parliament, hereditary baronesses in their own right and Ladies of Parliament in their own right (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
• All sons of barons and baronesses for life (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)^{[nb 15]}

Baronets[edit]

• Baronets (Bt) (ordered according to date of creation),^{[nb 16]} excepting:
  • Sir William Gladstone, who ranks higher as a Knight of the Garter; and
  • Sir George Young, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor

Knights[edit]

• Knights Grand Cross
  • Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB)
  • Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (GCSI) (none; order dormant^{[nb 17]})
  • Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG)
  • Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (GCIE) (none; order dormant^{[nb 17]})
  • Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO)
  • Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE)
• Knights Commander
  • Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB)
  • Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (KCSI) (none; order dormant^{[nb 18]})
  • Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG)
  • Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) (none; order dormant^{[nb 19]})
  • Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
  • Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
• Knights Bachelor (Kt)^{[nb 20]}

Lower level judges, et al.[edit]

• The Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster (Mr Justice Briggs, who ranks higher as a High Court judge; it is customary for a High Court judge to be named to this position)
• The Recorder of London (HHJ Barker, QC)
• The Recorders of Manchester and of Liverpool (in order of appointment)
  • The Recorder of Liverpool (HHJ Goldstone, QC)
  • The Recorder of Manchester (HHJ Gilbart, QC)
• The Common Serjeant of London (currently vacant)
• Judges junior to those of the High Court
  • Circuit judges
  • The Senior Judge of the Court of Protection (Denzil Lush)

Other lower ranks[edit]

Companions, commanders, lieutenants and officers of various orders[edit]

• Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)
• Companions of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) (none; order dormant^{[nb 21]})
• Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
• Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) (none; order dormant^{[nb 21]})
• Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO)
• Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
• Companions of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
• Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO)
• Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
• Companions of the Imperial Service Order (ISO)

Eldest sons of various grades[edit]

• Eldest sons of younger sons of hereditary peers or hereditary peeresses 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 orders[edit]

• Members of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
• Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Younger sons of various grades[edit]

• 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[edit]

Members of the Royal Family[edit]

• The Sovereign (The Queen)
• Queen Dowager (none)
• Wife of the Heir Apparent (The Duchess of Cornwall)
• Wives of the Sovereign's younger sons (The Countess of Wessex)
• Daughters of the Sovereign (The Princess Royal)
• Wife of the Heir Apparent's eldest son (The Duchess of Cambridge)
• Wives of the Sovereign's other grandsons (Autumn Phillips)
• Granddaughters of the Sovereign
  • Princess Beatrice of York
  • Princess Eugenie of York
  • Lady Louise Windsor
  • Zara Phillips
• Wives of the Sovereign's brothers (none)
• The Sovereign's sisters (none)
• Wives of the Sovereign's uncles (none)
• The Sovereign's aunts (none)
• Wives of the Sovereign's nephews (Viscountess Linley)
• The Sovereign's nieces (Lady Sarah Chatto)
• Wives of the grandsons of former sovereigns (whose husbands are dukes)
  • The Duchess of Gloucester
  • The Duchess of Kent
• Wives of the grandsons of former sovereigns (whose husbands are not dukes)
  • Princess Michael of Kent
• Granddaughters of former sovereigns (Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy)

High Officers of State, et al.[edit]

• Commonwealth Prime Ministers (while visiting the UK, in order of appointment)
• The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords^{[nb 2]} (The Baroness D'Souza)
• Ambassadors and High Commissioners (in order of arrival)

Nobility, et al.[edit]

• Wives of non-royal Dukes (Duchesses)
• Certain members of the extended Royal Family
  • Countess of Ulster, wife of the Earl of Ulster
  • Countess of St Andrews, wife of the Earl of St Andrews
  • Lady Davina Lewis, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
  • Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
  • Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
• Marchionesses
• Wives of dukes' eldest sons
• Daughters of dukes not married to peers
• Countesses (ordered according to the year the earldom was created; whether in her own or her husband's right)
• Wives of younger sons of dukes of the Blood Royal (The Lady Nicholas Windsor)
• Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
• Lady Gabriella Windsor, member of the extended Royal Family
• Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
• Wives of dukes' younger sons
• Viscountesses
• Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
• Earls' daughters not married to peers
• Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
• Wives of marquesses' younger sons
• Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron
• Baronesses in their own right, Ladies of Parliament and wives of Barons

Gentry, et al.[edit]

• The Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom other than the President and the Deputy President.^[5] (Baroness Hale ranks higher as a baroness for life)
• The Royal Household
  • Lord Commissioners of the Great Seal (none)
• Secretaries of State under the degree of baroness:
  • Theresa May MP (Secretary of State for the Home Department)
  • Justine Greening MP (Secretary of State for International Development)
  • Theresa Villiers MP (Secretary of State for Northern Ireland)
  • Maria Miller MP (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)

Other lower ranks[edit]

• Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
• Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
• Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
• Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
• Daughters of barons or baronesses not married to peers

Ladies and Dames, et al.[edit]

• Ladies of the Garter (all already rank higher in precedence)
• Ladies of the Thistle (who are not already ranked higher)
  • Lady Marion Fraser
• Wives of Knights of the Garter (who are not already ranked higher)
  • Lady Stephan
  • Lady Colman
  • Lady Gladstone
  • Lady Acland
  • Lady Major (also titled Dame Norma Major, a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in her own right but with lower precedence)
  • Lady Dunne
• Wives of Knights of the Thistle (who are not already ranked higher)
  • Lady Anderson
  • Lady Morrison
• Privy counsellors
• Senior judges
  • Lords Justices of Appeal
  • Judges of the High Court
• Wives of viscounts' younger sons
• Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
• Baronetesses in their own right (none currently, as Dame Anne Maxwell MacDonald, Baronetess of Stirling-Maxwell of Pollock a Baronetess in her own right passed away on 21 April 2011)
• Wives of baronets
• Dames Grand Cross
  • Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  • Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
• Wives of Knights Grand Cross and Grand Commander
  • Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
  • Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  • Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  • Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
• Dames Commander
  • Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
  • Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• Circuit judges
• Wives of Knights Commander
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
• Wives of Knights Bachelor

Members of orders, et al.[edit]

• Companions of 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
• Wives of members of orders
  • Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
  • Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
  • Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
  • Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
  • Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Wives of Commanders of the 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.[edit]

• 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
  • Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
  • Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
  • Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
  • Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross or Grand Commander
  • Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander
• Daughters of knights:
  • Daughters of Knights of the Garter
  • Daughters of Knights 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[edit]

• Wives of younger sons of baronets
• Wives of younger sons of knights
  • Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
  • Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
  • Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
  • Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross or Knights Grand Commander
  • Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander

Local precedence[edit]

• The Lord Lieutenant of the County
• The High Sheriff of the County
• The Lord Mayor
• The (elected) mayor
• The chairman of the county council
• The deputy mayor
• Aldermen
• Councillors
• Justices of the Peace
• The clerk of the County Council
• The town clerk
• The chief constable
• The county engineer or borough engineer

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

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