Peerage of Great Britain

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The Peerage forms a part of the British Peerage and Honours System, which seeks to meritoriously award hardworking British Citizens for their service to the Empire of Great Britain. The ranks of the Peerage are Duke/Duchess, Marquess/Marchioness, Earl/Countess, Viscount/Viscountess, Baron/Baroness.

History of the Peerage

The Peerage of Great Britain goes back to the Reign of King William V, with little to no record of Queen Victoria II bestowing titles nor honours upon British Citizens. Peerages were first mentioned in Order-in-Council 003 (1 William V o.3), which established the Rules of the Reign of King William V. This Order would later be repealed and replaced by Order-in-Council 013 (1 William V o.13), this also later repealed and replaced by Order-in-Council 022 (2 William V o.1). Lastly, Order-in-Council 039 (1 Elizabeth III o.9), which established the Rules of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth III, repealed and replaced the former Order, and is now the enforced Order regarding Peerages and other matters. The rank of Baronet/Baronetess was removed upon the publication of Order-in-Council 039.

Ranks of the Peerage

Coronet Styles Rank
Coronet of a British Duke.svg His/Her Grace The Most Noble Duke/Duchess
Coronet of a British Marquess.svg His/Her Ladyship The Most Honourable Marquess/Marchioness
Coronet of a British Earl.svg His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable Earl/Countess
Coronet of a British Viscount.svg His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable Viscount/Viscountess
Coronet of a British Baron.svg His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable Baron/Baroness

Dukedoms in the Peerage of Great Britain

Shield Title Creation Holder(s) Status Sovereign
Coronet of the British Heir Apparent.svg
Shield of Arms of the Duke of Rothesay.svg
Dukedom of Rothesay 9 August 2020 (1) Prince Matthew, Prince of Wales
(2) Princess Elizabeth, Princess of Wales
(3) Prince Angus, Prince of Wales
(4) Princess Elizabeth, Princess of Wales
(5) Prince Victor, Prince of Wales
Active Queen Victoria II
Coronet of a British Duke.svg
Arms of Richard of Shrewsbury, 1st Duke of York.svg
Dukedom of York 14 August 2020 (1) Edward Windsor, Duke of York Active King William V
Example Dukedom of Buccleuch 14 September 2020 (1) Queen Elizabeth, Queen-Consort Returned
Example Dukedom of Kent 13 January 2021 (1) Prince Victor, Prince Royal Returned
Coronet of a British Duke.svg
Arms of Michael Middleton.svg
Dukedom of Cambridge 16 June 2021 (1) Princess Elizabeth, Princess Royal Returned
Example Dukedom of Manitoba 26 September 2021 (1) Serafina Sherwood, Duchess of Manitoba Retired
Example Dukedom of Warwick 1 October 2022 (1) James Forsyte, Duke of Warwick Active Queen Elizabeth III
Example Dukedom of Somerset 1 October 2022 (1) Prince Matthew, Duke of Somerset Active
Example Dukedom of Clarence 2 January 2023 (1) Prince Henry, Prince Royal Active

Marquessates in the Peerage of Great Britain

Earldoms in the Peerage of Great Britain

Viscountcies in the Peerage of Great Britain

Baronies in the Peerage of Great Britain

Baronetcies in the Peerage of Great Britain