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003 (1 William V o.3), which established the Rules of the Reign of King William V. This Order would later be repealed and replaced by Order-in-Council 013 (1 William V o.13), this also later repealed and replaced by Order-in-Council 022 (2 William V o.1). Lastly, Order-in-Council 039 (1 Elizabeth III o.9), which established the Rules of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth III, repealed and replaced the former Order, and is now the enforced Order regarding Peerages and other matters.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
|
|
His/Her Grace The Most Noble |
Duke/Duchess
|
|
His/Her Ladyship The Most Honourable |
Marquess/Marchioness
|
|
His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable |
Earl/Countess
|
|
His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable |
Viscount/Viscountess
|
|
His/Her Ladyship The Right Honourable |
Baron/Baroness
|
Dukedoms in the Peerage of Great Britain
Shield |
Title |
Creation |
Holder(s) |
Status |
Sovereign
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
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