The following is the order of precedence in England and Wales as of July 2016. 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 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.
Precedence is accorded to spouses, children and grandchildren of the reigning sovereign, as well as children and grandchildren of former sovereigns.
The sovereign (regardless of gender)
The Queen, Elizabeth II
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (the sovereign's spouse)
Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom (men)
The Archbishop of Canterbury (Justin Welby)
The Lord High Steward (none; ceremonial and only appointed for coronations)
The Lord High Chancellor (office held by a woman, Elizabeth Truss MP)
The Archbishop of York (John Sentamu)
The Prime Minister (office held by a woman, Theresa May 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 (David Lidington MP)
The Speaker of the House of Commons (John Bercow MP)
The Lord Speaker (Norman Fowler, Baron Fowler)
The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury)
The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales (John Thomas, Baron Thomas of Cwmgiedd)
The Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman, Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park)
Ambassadors and High Commissioners (in order of arrival)
The Lord High Constable of England (none; ceremonial and only appointed for coronations)
Royal dukes not grandsons of former sovereigns (none at present)
other Great Officers of State who are Dukes
The Earl Marshal (Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk)
Dukes of England (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
The Duke of Norfolk, who ranks higher as Earl Marshal
Dukes of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
Dukes of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
Dukes of Ireland created before 1801 (The Duke of Leinster)
Non-royal Dukes of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
Eldest sons of royal dukes (who are not already ranked higher)
Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster (son of the Duke of Gloucester)
George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews (son of the Duke of Kent)
Prince George of Cambridge (son of the Duke of Cambridge)
Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
other Great Officers of State who are Marquesses:
The Lord Great Chamberlain (David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley)
Marquesses of England (Nigel Paulet, 18th Marquess of Winchester)
Marquesses of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
Marquesses of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
Marquesses of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
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)
The Lord Steward of the Household (James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie)
The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (William Peel, 3rd Earl Peel)
The Master of the Horse (Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey)
Earls of England (ordered according to date of creation)
Earls of Scotland (ordered according to the Decreet of Ranking of 1606 and the date of creation), excepting:
The Earl of Dalhousie, who ranks higher as Lord Steward of the Household
Earls of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
Earls of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
Earls of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
The Earl of Wessex and the Earl of Snowdon, who rank higher as members of the Royal Family; and
The Earl Peel, who ranks higher as Lord Chamberlain of the Household
Younger sons of royal dukes (who are not already ranked higher)
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 of England (Robin Devereux, 19th Viscount Hereford)
Viscounts of Scotland (ordered according to date of creation)
Viscounts of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
Viscounts of Ireland created before 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
Viscounts of the United Kingdom and of Ireland created after 1801 (ordered according to date of creation)
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), who ranks higher as a member of the Royal Family
Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
Younger sons of marquesses (ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders)
The Bishop of London (vacant; Pete Broadbent acting)
The Bishop of Durham (Paul Butler)
The Bishop of Winchester (Tim Dakin)
Other Church of England diocesan bishops with seats in the House of Lords (ordered according to seniority of confirmation of election)
14 other Church of England diocesan bishops (ordered according to seniority of confirmation of election)
Suffragan bishops (ordered according to seniority of consecration)
Retired Church of England diocesan archbishops and bishops (ordered according to original date of confirmation of election)
Secretaries of State being of the degree of a baron (none at present)
Barons of England (ordered according to date of creation)
Scottish Lords of Parliament (ordered according to date of creation)
Barons of Great Britain (ordered according to date of creation)
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 (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
Norman Lord Fowler, who ranks higher as Lord Speaker;
David Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, who ranks higher as President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom;
John Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, who ranks higher as Lord Chief Justice;
Samuel Lord Vestey, who ranks higher as Master of the Horse;
George Carey and Rowan Williams, who rank higher as retired Archbishops of Canterbury;
John Habgood, Baron Habgood and David Hope, Baron Hope of Thornes, who rank higher as retired Archbishops of York; and
Richard Harries, Baron Harries of Pentregarth, who ranks higher as a retired Bishop of Oxford
Master of the Rolls and Supreme Court Justices
The Master of the Rolls (Terence Etherton)
The Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (2 office holders one Nicholas Wilson, Lord Wilson of Culworth and one held by a woman, Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond)
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom other than the President and the Deputy PresidentJonathan Mance, Baron Mance (ranks higher as a life peer)
Brian Kerr, Baron Kerr of Tonaghmore (ranks higher as a life peer)
Anthony Clarke, Baron Clarke of Stone-cum-Ebony (ranks higher as a life peer)
Nicholas Wilson, Lord Wilson of Culworth
Jonathan Sumption
Robert Reed, Lord Reed
Robert Carnwath, Lord Carnwath of Notting Hill
Anthony Hughes, Lord Hughes of Ombersley
Patrick Hodge, Lord Hodge
other Great Officers of State (?) (none at present, as the Lord Great Chamberlain, Earl Marshal and Lord High Admiral rank higher as a Marquess, Duke, and sovereign's spouse and Duke of Edinburgh respectively)
Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal (none; last appointed in 1850)
other Great Officers of the Royal Household (all rank higher as peers)
The Treasurer of the Household (office held by a woman, Anne Milton MP)
The Comptroller of the Household (Mel Stride MP)
The Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Julian Smith MP)
Secretaries of State under the degree of a baronThe Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson MP)
The Secretary of State for Defence (Sir Michael Fallon MP)
The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (David Davis MP)
The Secretary of State for International Trade (Liam Fox MP)
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Clark MP)
The Secretary of State for Health (Jeremy Hunt MP)
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Damian Green MP)
The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling MP)
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Sajid Javid MP)
The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell MP)
The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns MP)
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire MP)
The Secretaries of State for the Home Department; for Justice; for Education; for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; for International Development; and for Culture, Media and Sport are 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
Knights of the Garter (KG) (who are not already ranked higher in precedence as peers or royalty)
Ninian Stephen
Timothy Colman
William Gladstone, Bt
Antony Acland
John Major
Thomas Dunne
David Brewer
Knights of the Thistle (KT) (who are not already ranked higher in precedence as peers or royalty)
Eric Anderson
Knights of St Patrick (none; order dormant)
Privy Counsellors (PC) (ordered according to date of oath-taking)
The Chancellor of the Order of the Garter (James Hamilton, 5th Duke of Abercorn, who ranks higher as a non-royal duke)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Philip Hammond MP, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Patrick McLoughlin MP, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
Senior judges
The President of the Queen's Bench Division (Brian Leveson, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
The President of the Family Division of the High Court (James Munby, who ranks higher as a Privy Counsellor)
The Chancellor of the High Court (Geoffrey Vos, 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, when they retire)
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)
Baronets (Bt) (ordered according to date of creation), excepting:
William Gladstone, who ranks higher as a Knight of the Garter
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)
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)
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)
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)
Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO)
Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)
Knights Bachelor (Kt)
The Vice-Chancellor of the County Palatine of Lancaster (Alastair Norris {Mr Justice Norris}, 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 (Nicholas Hilliard)
The Recorders of Manchester and of Liverpool (in order of appointment)
The Recorder of Liverpool (Clement Goldstone)
The Recorder of Manchester (David Stockdale)
The Common Serjeant of London (Richard Marks)
Judges junior to those of the High Court
Circuit judges
The Senior Judge of the Court of Protection (Denzil Lush)
Companions, commanders, lieutenants and officers of various orders
Companions of the Order of the Bath (CB)
Companions of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) (none; order dormant)
Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG)
Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (CIE) (none; order dormant)
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 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 the Royal Victorian Order (MVO)
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Younger sons of baronets (ordered according to the precedence of the baronets)
Younger sons of knights (ordered according to the precedence of the knights)
The order of precedence accorded to women of the royal family differs depending on whether or not they are accompanied by a husband who is accorded higher precedence. When unaccompanied, blood relations of the sovereign are always accorded higher precedence. For example, when not accompanied by Prince Charles, Camilla ranks after Princess Alexandra; when with her husband, Camilla ranks above all women other than the reigning sovereign and any queens dowager.
The Queen, Elizabeth II
Queens dowager (none surviving; most recently widowed first)
Daughters-in-law of the sovereign (if accompanying their husbands)
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Daughters of the sovereign
Anne, Princess Royal
Granddaughters-in-law of the sovereign (if accompanying their husbands; ordered according to their husbands' precedence)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Granddaughters of the sovereign (ordered according to the rules of primogeniture)
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Eugenie of York
Lady Louise Windsor
Zara Tindall
Sisters-in-law of the sovereign (if accompanying their husbands; none)
Sisters of the sovereign (none surviving)
Aunts (by marriage) of the sovereign (if accompanying their husbands; none surviving)
Aunts (by blood) of the sovereign (none surviving)
Nieces (by marriage) of the sovereign (if accompanying their husbands)
Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon
Nieces (by blood) of the sovereign
Lady Sarah Chatto
Granddaughters-in-law of former sovereigns (whose husbands are dukes; if accompanying their husbands)
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Katharine, Duchess of Kent
Granddaughters-in-law of former sovereigns (whose husbands aren't dukes; if accompanying their husbands)
Princess Michael of Kent
Patricia Lascelles, Dowager Countess of Harewood
Granddaughters of former sovereigns
Princess Alexandra
Daughters-in-law of the sovereign (if not accompanying their husbands)
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall
Sophie, Countess of Wessex
Granddaughters-in-law of the sovereign (if not accompanying their husbands; ordered according to their husbands' precedence)
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Sisters-in-law of the sovereign (if not accompanying their husbands; none)
Aunts (by marriage) of the sovereign (if not accompanying their husbands; none surviving)
Nieces (by marriage) of the sovereign (if not accompanying their husbands)
Serena Armstrong-Jones, Countess of Snowdon
Granddaughters-in-law of former sovereigns (whose husbands are dukes; if not accompanying their husbands)
Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
Katharine, Duchess of Kent
Granddaughters-in-law of former sovereigns (whose husbands aren't dukes; if not accompanying their husbands)
Princess Michael of Kent
Patricia Lascelles, Dowager Countess of Harewood
nb: since there is no specific place in the order for a great-grandchild of the Sovereign (no matter how directly in line), Princess Charlotte of Cambridge must presumably take precedence as the daughter of a Duke of the Blood Royal (see below).
The Lord High Chancellor (Elizabeth Truss MP)
The Prime Minister (Theresa May MP)
Commonwealth Prime Ministers (while visiting the UK, in order of appointment)
The Lord Privy Seal (Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park)
Ambassadors and High Commissioners (in order of arrival)
Wives of non-royal Dukes (Duchesses)
Wives of Eldest Sons of Royal Dukes
Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
Sylvana Windsor, Countess of St Andrews, wife of Earl of St Andrews
Daughters of Royal Dukes
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
Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, only daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
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 Royal Dukes
Lady Nicholas Windsor
Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
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
Wives of marquesses' younger sons
Bishops:
Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester
Chris Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle
Libby Lane, Bishop of Stockport
Alison White, Bishop of Hull
Sarah Mullally, Bishop of Crediton
Ruth Worsley, Bishop of Taunton
Anne Hollinghurst, Bishop of Aston
Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne
Jan McFarlane, Bishop of Repton
Jo Bailey Wells, Bishop of Dorking
Secretaries of State being of the degree of a baron (none at present)
Baronesses in their own right, Ladies of Parliament and wives of Barons
The Deputy President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond, who ranks higher as a life peer)
Justices of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom other than the President and the Deputy President. (none at present)
The Royal Household
Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal (none)
The Treasurer of the Household (Anne Milton MP)
Secretaries of State under the degree of baroness:
The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber Rudd MP)
The Secretary of State for Justice (Elizabeth Truss MP, who ranks higher as Lord Chancellor)
The Secretary of State for Education (Justine Greening MP)
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Andrea Leadsom MP)
The Secretary of State for International Development (Priti Patel MP)
The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Karen Bradley MP)
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.
Ladies of the Garter (all rank higher in precedence)
Ladies of the Thistle (none at present)
Wives of Knights of the Garter (who are not already ranked higher)
Lady Stephan
Lady Colman
Lady Gladstone
Lady Acland
Norma Major (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
Lady Brewer
Wives of Knights of the Thistle (who are not already ranked higher)
Lady Anderson
Lady Morrison
Privy Counsellors (PC) (ordered according to date of oath-taking)
Senior judges
Lords Justices of Appeal (Mary Arden ranks higher as the wife of a life peer, Jonathan Mance, Baron Mance)
Judges of the High Court
Wives of viscounts' younger sons
Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
Baronetesses in their own right (none at present)
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
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.
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 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
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
