Order of precedence in England and Wales Totally Explained

Everything about Order Of Precedence In England And Wales totally explained

The Order of precedence in England and Wales as of 17 December 2007:
Names in italics indicate higher precedence elsewhere in the table: for example many Knights of the Garter have higher precedence as peers.

Men

Members of the Royal Family

The Sovereign
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
HRH The Prince of Wales
HRH The Duke of York
HRH The Earl of Wessex
HRH Prince William of Wales
HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Viscount Severn
HRH The Duke of Gloucester, grandson of George V
HRH The Duke of Kent, grandson of George V
HRH Prince Michael of Kent, grandson of George V and younger brother of the Duke of Kent

High Officers of State, et al.

The Archbishop of Canterbury (The Most Revd and Rt Hon. Rowan Williams)

The Lord High Steward (only appointed for coronations)

The Lord High Chancellor (The Rt Hon. Jack Straw)

The Archbishop of York (The Most Revd and Rt Hon. John Sentamu)

The Prime Minister (The Rt Hon. Gordon Brown)

Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment

The Lord High Treasurer (The Rt Hon. Gordon Brown (First Lord of the Treasury))

The Lord President of the Council (see order of precedence for women)

The Speaker of the House of Commons (The Rt Hon. Michael Martin)

The Lord Speaker (see order of precedence for women)

The Lord Chief Justice (The Rt Hon. The Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers)

The Lord Privy Seal (see order of precedence for women)

Ambassadors and High Commissioners in order of arrival

The Lord Great Chamberlain (The Most Hon. The Marquess of Cholmondeley)

The Lord High Constable (only appointed for coronations)

The Earl Marshal (His Grace The Duke of Norfolk)

The Lord High Admiral (office now held by the Sovereign)

The Lord Steward of the Household (His Grace The Duke of Abercorn)

The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (The Rt Hon. The Earl Peel)

The Master of the Horse (The Rt Hon. The Lord Vestey)

Nobility, et al

Dukes

Certain Members of the Royal Family

Earl of Ulster, eldest son of HRH The Duke of Gloucester
Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of HRH The Duke of Kent

Ministers, Envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries

Marquesses

Eldest sons of Dukes

Earls

Younger sons of Dukes of Blood Royal (The Lord Nicholas Windsor)

Eldest sons of Marquesses

Younger sons of Dukes

Viscounts

Eldest sons of Earls

The Lord Frederick Windsor, a member of the extended Royal Family.

Younger sons of Marquesses

The Lords Spiritual

The Bishop of London (The Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres)
The Bishop of Durham (The Rt Rev Tom Wright)
The Bishop of Winchester (The Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt)
Other Church of England Diocesan Bishops, according to seniority of consecration
Suffragan Bishops, according to seniority of consecration
Retired Church of England Diocesan Bishops, according to seniority of consecration

Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a Baron

Barons and Lords of Parliament

The Master of the Rolls (The Rt Hon. Sir Anthony Clarke)

The Royal Household

Commissioners of the Great Seal (no present holders: the Great Seal isn't in commission)
Treasurer of the Household (Nick Brown, also Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons)
Comptroller of the Household (Thomas McAvoy)
Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Liz Blackman)

Secretaries of State under the degree of Baron:

The Rt Hon Alistair Darling
The Rt Hon David Miliband
The Rt Hon Des Browne
The Rt Hon Alan Johnson
The Rt Hon Hilary Benn
The Rt Hon Douglas Alexander
The Rt Hon John Hutton
The Rt Hon Peter Hain
The Rt Hon Edward Balls
The Rt Hon James Purnell
The Rt Hon Shaun Woodward
The Rt Hon John Denham

Eldest sons of Viscounts

Younger sons of Earls

Eldest sons of Barons

Knights, Privy Counsellors, Judges, Baronets et al.

Knights of the Garter:

Knights of the Thistle:

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
The Earl of Wemyss and March
The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine
The Lord Thomson of Monifieth
The Earl of Airlie
The Viscount of Arbuthnott
The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres
The Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden
The Lord Mackay of Clashfern
The Lord Wilson of Tillyorn
The Lord Sutherland of Houndwood
Sir Eric Anderson
The Lord Steel of Aikwood
The Lord Robertson of Port Ellen

Knights of St Patrick (order obsolete)

Privy Counsellors

Certain Officials and Senior Judges
Chancellor of the Order of the Garter (The Lord Carrington)
Chancellor of the Exchequer (The Rt Hon. Alistair Darling)
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (The Rt Hon. Ed Miliband)
President of the Queen's Bench Division (The Rt Hon. Sir Igor Judge)
President of the Family Division of the High Court (The Rt. Hon. Sir Mark Potter)
Lords Justices of Appeal
Judges of the High Court

Younger sons of Viscounts

Younger sons of Barons

Baronets

Knights Grand Cross or Grand Commander
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (order obsolete)
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (order obsolete)
Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire

Knights Commander
Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Knights Bachelor

Certain Officials
Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster (Mr Justice Lloyd)
Recorder of London (Michael Hyam)
Recorder of Manchester and of Liverpool (in order of appointment):

Recorder of Manchester (Judge Maddison)
Recorder of Liverpool (Judge Globe)
Common Serjeant (Judge Beaumont)

Judges junior to those of the High Court
Circuit Judges
Master of the Court of Protection (Denzil Lush)

Members of Orders
Companions of the Order of the Bath
Companions of the Order of the Star of India
Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Companions of the Imperial Service Order

Eldest sons of various grades

Eldest sons of younger sons of hereditary peers or hereditary peeresses

Eldest sons of Baronets

Eldest sons of Knights
Eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
Eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross or Knights Grand Commander
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Eldest sons of Knights Commander
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Eldest sons of Knights Bachelor

Members of Orders

Members of the Royal Victorian Order

Members of the Order of the British Empire
Younger sons of various grades

Younger sons of Baronets

Younger sons of Knights
Younger sons of Knights of the Garter
Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
Younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross or Knights Grand Commander
Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Younger sons of Knights Commander
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Younger sons of Knights Bachelor

Lesser titles

Esquires

Gentlemen
Women

Members of the Royal Family

HM The Queen

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall

HRH The Countess of Wessex

HRH The Princess Royal

HRH Princess Beatrice of York

HRH Princess Eugenie of York

Lady Louise Windsor

HRH The Duchess of Gloucester

HRH The Duchess of Kent

HRH Princess Michael of Kent

HRH Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy
High Officers of State, et al

The Lord President of the Council (The Rt Hon. The Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment

The Lord Speaker of the House of Lords (The Rt Hon. The Baroness Hayman)

The Lord Privy Seal (The Rt Hon. Harriet Harman)

Ambassadors and High Commissioners in order of arrival
Nobility, et al

Duchesses

Certain members of the Royal Family
Countess of Ulster, wife of the Earl of Ulster
The Lady Davina Lewis, eldest daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
The Lady Rose Windsor, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
Countess of St Andrews, wife of the Earl of St Andrews
The Lady Helen Taylor, eldest daughter of the Duke of Kent

Marchionesses

Wives of Dukes' eldest sons

Daughters of Dukes not married to peers

Countesses

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
The Lady Sarah Chatto, elder daughter of the Earl of Snowdon

Wives of Marquesses' younger sons

Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a Baron:

Baroness Ashton

Baronesses and wives or female holders of Lordships of Parliament

Secretaries of State:

The Rt Hon Jacqueline Smith
The Rt Hon Ruth Kelly
The Rt Hon Hazel Blears

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

Wives of Viscounts' younger sons

Wives of younger sons of Barons or Baronesses
Ladies and Dames, et al

Ladies of the Garter:

HRH The Princess Royal
HRH Princess Alexandra, the Honourable Lady Ogilvy
The Baroness Thatcher
The Lady Soames

Ladies of the Thistle:

HRH The Princess Royal
Lady Marion Fraser

Wives of Knights of the Garter
HM Queen Elizabeth II
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
HRH The Duchess of Gloucester
HRH The Duchess of Kent
The Duchess of Grafton
The Lady Richardson of Duntisbourne
The Lady Carrington
The Duchess of Wellington
The Lady Bramall
The Viscountess Ridley
The Lady Sainsbury of Preston Candover
The Lady Ashburton
The Lady Kingsdown
Lady Hillary
Lady Mary Colman
The Duchess of Abercorn
The Lady Inge
Lady Acland
The Duchess of Westminster
The Lady Butler of Brockwell
The Lady Morris of Aberavon
Lady Major
The Lady Bingham of Cornhill

Wives of Knights of the Thistle
HM Queen Elizabeth II
HRH The Duchess of Cornwall
The Countess of Wemyss
The Duchess of Buccleuch
The Countess of Elgin
The Lady Thomson of Monifieth
The Countess of Airlie
The Lady Margaret Tennant
The Viscountess of Arbuthnott
The Countess of Crawford
The Lady Macfarlane of Bearsden
The Lady Mackay of Clashfern
The Lady Wilson of Tillyorn
The Lady Steel of Aikwood
The Lady Robertson of Port Ellen

Privy Counsellors

Certain Judges
Lords Justices of Appeal
Judges of the High Court

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

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

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 Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Daughters of Knights
Daughters of Knights of the Garter
Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
Daughters of Knights Grand Cross or Grand Commander
Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Daughters of Knights Commander
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
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
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 Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Local precedence

The Lord Lieutenant of the County

The High Sheriff of the County

The Lord Mayor:

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham (John Hood)
The Lord Mayor of Bradford (Allan Hillary)
The Lord Mayor of Bristol
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury (Nick Eden-Green)
The Lord Mayor of Cardiff (Gareth Neale)
The Lord Mayor of Chester (Barry Cowper)
The Lord Mayor of Coventry (Ken Taylor)
The Lord Mayor of Exeter (Margaret Danks)
The Lord Mayor of Kingston-upon-Hull (Ken Branson)
The Lord Mayor of Leeds (William S Hyde)
The Lord Mayor of Leicester (Ramnik Kavia)
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Ron Gould)
The Lord Mayor of the City of London (David Lewis)
The Lord Mayor of Manchester (Audrey Jones)
The Lord Mayor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Margaret Carter)
The Lord Mayor of Norwich (Christopher Southgate)
The Lord Mayor of Nottingham (Brent Charlesworth)
The Lord Mayor of Oxford (Patrick Stannard)
The Lord Mayor of Plymouth (David James)
The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth (Tom Blair)
The Lord Mayor of Sheffield (Roger Davison)
The Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent (Clive Brian)
The Lord Mayor of Swansea (Lawrence Bailey)
The Lord Mayor of Westminster (Alexander Nicoll)
The Lord Mayor of York (Janet Greenwood)

The (Elected) Mayor

The Chairman of the County Council:

The Chairman of the County Council of Bedfordshire (Richard G Baker BEM)
The Chairman of the County Council of Buckinghamshire (Richard Pushman)
The Chairman of the County Council of Cambridgeshire (Robin Driver)
The Chairman of the County Council of Cheshire (Nora Dolphin)
The Chairman of the County Council of Cornwall (Phil Tregunna)
The Chairman of the County Council of Cumbria (Joe Nicholson)
The Chairman of the County Council of Derbyshire (Charles Cutting)
The Chairman of the County Council of Devon (Brenda Taylor)
The Chairman of the County Council of Dorset (John Peake)
The Chairman of the County Council of Durham (Coun Fenwick)
The Chairman of the County Council of East Sussex (Roger Thomas)
The Chairman of the County Council of Essex (Anthony Peel)
The Chairman of the County Council of Gloucestershire (Albert Cook)
The Chairman of the County Council of Hampshire (Margaret Snaith)
The Chairman of the County Council of Herefordshire Council (Peter Harling)
The Chairman of the County Council of Hertfordshire (Keith Emsall)
The Chairman of the County Council of Isle of Wight (Heather Humby)
The Chairman of the County Council of Kent (Brenda Trench)
The Chairman of the County Council of Lancashire (Vali Patel)
The Chairman of the County Council of Leicestershire (David Knaggs)
The Chairman of the County Council of Lincolnshire (Peter Bray)
The Chairman of the County Council of Norfolk (Neville Chapman)
The Chairman of the County Council of Northamptonshire (Mike Boss)
The Chairman of the County Council of Northumberland (John Morris)
The Chairman of the County Council of North Yorkshire (Clifford Wilson)
The Chairman of the County Council of Nottinghamshire (Reg Strauther)
The Chairman of the County Council of Oxfordshire (David Turner)
The Chairman of the County Council of Rutland (Chris Parsons)
The Chairman of the County Council of Shropshire (Adrian Coles)
The Chairman of the County Council of Somerset (Robin Bush)
The Chairman of the County Council of Staffordshire (Edward Boden)
The Chairman of the County Council of Suffolk (Jeremy Clover)
The Chairman of the County Council of Surrey (Sheila Gruselle)
The Chairman of the County Council of Warwickshire (Mota Singh)
The Chairman of the County Council of West Sussex (Margaret Johnson)
The Chairman of the County Council of Wiltshire (Gerry Willmott)
The Chairman of the County Council of Worcestershire (Edward Sheldon)

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 EngineerFurther Information
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