Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Order of precedence in Northern Ireland

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

An unofficial order of precedence in Northern Ireland, according to Burke's Peerage, 106th. Edition [1], not officially authorised by or published with authority (cum privilegio) from either Buckingham Palace (the Royal Household) or the College of Arms, or the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice or the Northern Ireland Office of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, or the Assembly of Northern Ireland, or the Northern Ireland Executive.

Contents

Gentlemen

  1. The Sovereign (The Queen, Elizabeth II)
  2. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom/Royal family (men)

  1. The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Ireland, and the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, according to the seniority of their consecration or election
    1. Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) (Richard Clarke)
    2. Archbishop of Armagh (Roman Catholic) (Eamon Martin)
    3. Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) (Diarmuid Martin)
    4. Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) (Michael Jackson)
    5. Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Frank Sellar)
  2. The Lord High Steward (office only in existence for coronations)
  3. The Lord High Chancellor (office held by a woman)
  4. The Prime Minister (office held by a woman)
  5. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
  6. The Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
  7. Lord President of the Council (David Lidington)
  8. Speaker of the House of Commons (John Bercow MP)
  9. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (David Neuberger, Baron Neuberger of Abbotsbury)
  10. The Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman, Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park)
  11. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
  12. The Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
  13. The Earl Marshal (The Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk)
  14. The Lord High Admiral (office now held by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
  15. The Lord Steward of the Household (James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie)
  16. Dukes
  17. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, eldest son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
  18. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
  19. Prince George of Cambridge, only son of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
  20. Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
  21. The Lord Great Chamberlain (David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley)
  22. Marquesses
  23. Eldest sons of dukes (see list)
  24. The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (William Peel, 3rd Earl Peel)
  25. The Master of the Horse (Samuel Vestey, 3rd Baron Vestey)
  26. Earls
  27. Younger sons of dukes of Blood Royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor)
  28. Eldest sons of marquesses
  29. Younger sons of dukes
  30. Viscounts
  31. Eldest sons of earls
  32. Lord Frederick Windsor
  33. Younger sons of marquesses
  34. The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Bishops, according to seniority of consecration
  35. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron (none)
  36. Barons and Lords of Parliament
  37. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (Declan Morgan)
  38. Treasurer of the Household (Greg Hands MP)
  39. Comptroller of the Household (Gavin Barwell MP)
  40. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (office currently held by a woman)
  41. Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
  • The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Boris Johnson MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (David Davis MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Justice (Liz Truss MP, who ranks higher as Lord Chancellor)
  • The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon MP)
  • The Secretary of State for International Trade (Liam Fox MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Damian Green MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Health (Jeremy Hunt MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Greg Clark MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Sajid Javid MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Wales (Alun Cairns MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Scotland (David Mundell MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (James Brokenshire MP)
  • The Secretaries of State for International Development; for Education; for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; for Culture, Media and Sport; and for the Home Department are women
    1. Eldest sons of viscounts
    2. Younger sons of earls
    3. Eldest sons of barons
    4. Knights of the Garter
    5. Knights of the Thistle
    6. Knights of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
    7. Privy Counsellors
    8. Lords Justices of Appeal of Northern Ireland
    9. Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland
    10. Younger sons of viscounts
    11. Younger sons of barons
    12. Baronets
    13. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    14. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
    15. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    16. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
    17. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    18. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    19. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
    20. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
    21. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
    22. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
    23. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
    24. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
    25. Knights Bachelor
    26. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
    27. Companions of the Order of the Bath
    28. Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
    29. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
    30. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
    31. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
    32. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
    33. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
    34. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
    35. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
    36. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
    37. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
    38. Eldest sons of baronets
    39. Eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
    40. Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
    41. Eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
    42. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    43. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
    44. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    45. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    46. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    47. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    48. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    49. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    50. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    51. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    52. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    53. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    54. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
    55. Members of the Order of the British Empire
    56. Younger sons of baronets
    57. Younger sons of Knights of the Garter
    58. Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
    59. Younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
    60. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    61. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
    62. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    63. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    64. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    65. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    66. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    67. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    68. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    69. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    70. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    71. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    72. The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (Malcolm McKibbin)
    73. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel (Stephen Peover)
    74. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Education (Paul Sweeney)
    75. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Gerry Lavery)
    76. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of the Environment (Leo O'Reilly)
    77. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (David Sterling)
    78. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Andrew McCormick)
    79. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)
    80. The Permanent Secretary to the Department for Employment and Learning (Alan Shannon)
    81. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Regional Development (David Orr)
    82. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Social Development (William Haire)
    83. The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Arthur Moir)
    84. The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (Kieran Donnelly)
    85. The Examiner of Statutory Rules (Gordon Nabney)
    86. The Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland (O. G. Paulin)
    87. Queen's Counsel of Northern Ireland
    88. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (George Hamilton)

    Ladies

    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).

    1. The Lord High Chancellor (Elizabeth Truss)
    2. The Prime Minister (Theresa May)
    3. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
    4. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
    5. Duchesses
    6. Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
    7. Sylvana Tomaselli, wife of Earl of St Andrews
    8. Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
    9. Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
    10. Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
    11. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, only daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
    12. Marchionesses
    13. Wives of duke's eldest sons
    14. Daughters of dukes not married to peers
    15. Countesses
    16. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
    17. Lady Gabriella Windsor
    18. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
    19. Wives of dukes' younger sons
    20. Viscountesses
    21. Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
    22. Earls' daughters not married to peers
    23. Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
    24. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
    25. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron (none)
    26. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
    27. Secretaries of State below the degree of baron
  • The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Amber Rudd MP)
  • The Secretary of State for International Development (Priti Patel MP)
  • 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 Culture, Media and Sport (Karen Bradley MP)
    1. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
    2. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
    3. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
    4. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
    5. Daughters of barons or baronesses
    6. Ladies of the Garter
      1. Anne, Princess Royal
      2. Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy
    7. Ladies of the Thistle
      1. Anne, Princess Royal
    8. Wives of Knights of the Garter
  • all rank higher, except:
      1. Valerie Stephen
      2. Mary Colman
      3. June Hillary
      4. Jennifer Acland
      5. Norma Major
    1. Wives of Knights of the Thistle
  • all rank higher, except:
      1. Poppy Anderson
    1. Privy Counsellors
    2. Lords Justices of Appeal
    3. High Court Judges
    4. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
    5. Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
    6. Wives of baronets
    7. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    8. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    9. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    10. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    11. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    12. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    13. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    14. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    15. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    16. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    17. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
    18. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    19. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    20. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
    21. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
    22. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    23. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    24. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    25. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    26. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    27. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    28. Wives of Knights Bachelor
    29. Companions of the Order of the Bath
    30. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
    31. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
    32. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
    33. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
    34. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
    35. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
    36. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
    37. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
    38. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
    39. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
    40. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
    41. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
    42. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
    43. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
    44. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
    45. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
    46. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
    47. Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
    48. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
    49. Daughters of baronets
    50. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
    51. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
    52. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
    53. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    54. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
    55. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    56. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    57. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    58. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    59. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    60. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    61. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    62. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    63. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    64. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    65. Daughters of Knights of the Garter
    66. Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
    67. Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
    68. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    69. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
    70. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    71. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    72. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    73. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    74. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    75. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    76. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    77. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    78. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    79. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    80. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
    81. Members of the Order of the British Empire
    82. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
    83. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
    84. Wives of younger sons of baronets
    85. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
    86. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
    87. Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
    88. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
    89. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
    90. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
    91. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    92. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    93. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
    94. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
    95. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
    96. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
    97. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
    98. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
    99. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
    100. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)

    Local precedence

    1. The Lord Lieutenant of the County:
    2. Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim (Joan Christie)
    3. Lord Lieutenant for County Armagh (Nicholas Alexander, 7th Earl of Caledon)
    4. Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast (Finnouala Jay-O'Boyle)
    5. Lord Lieutenant for County Down (David Lindsay)
    6. Lord Lieutenant for County Fermanagh (Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough)
    7. Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry (Angela Garvey)
    8. Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry (Denis Desmond)
    9. Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone (Robert Lowry Scott)
    10. The Lord Mayor:
    11. The Lord Mayor of Belfast (appointed annually)
    12. The (Elected) Mayor
    13. The Deputy Mayor
    14. Councillors
    15. Justices of the Peace
    16. The Town Clerk
  • ^ "Precedence Amongst Ladies in England and Wales". Debrett's. n.d. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 3 March 2015. 
  • References

    Order of precedence in Northern Ireland Wikipedia