Order of precedence in Northern Ireland

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An unofficial order of precedence in Northern Ireland, according to Burke's Peerage, 106th Edition, this is 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.

Gentlemen[]

1. The Sovereign (The Queen, Elizabeth II)
2. Male members of the Royal Family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom/Royal family (men)
3. Lord Lieutenants (see list here) (during term of office and within bounds of counties and cities)
4. High sheriffs of counties (see list here) (during term of office and within bounds of counties)
5. 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 (Roman Catholic) (Eamon Martin)
   2. Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) (Diarmuid Martin)
   3. Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) (Michael Jackson)
   4. Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) (John McDowell)
   5. Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Rt. Rev. Dr. William Henry)
6. The Lord Mayor of Belfast and the Mayors of boroughs in Northern Ireland, but as in England the Mayors take precedence next to the Royal Family if within their city halls' precincts.
7. The Recorders of boroughs in Northern Ireland during civic functions in their boroughs.
8. High sheriffs of Belfast and Londonderry during civic functions in their boroughs.
9. The Lord High Steward (office only in existence for coronations)
10. The Lord High Chancellor (Dominic Raab QC MP)
11. The Prime Minister^{[nb 1]} (Boris Johnson MP)
12. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment^{[citation needed]}
13. The Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
14. Lord President of the Council (Jacob Rees-Mogg MP)
15. Speaker of the House of Commons (Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP)
16. The Lord Speaker^{[nb 2]} (John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith)
17. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom^[5] (Robert Reed, Lord Reed)
18. The Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman, Natalie Evans, Baroness Evans of Bowes Park)
19. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival^{[nb 3][6]}
20. The Lord Great Chamberlain (David Cholmondeley, 7th Marquess of Cholmondeley)
21. The Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
22. The Earl Marshal (The Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk)
23. The Lord High Admiral (office vacant since the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
24. The Lord Steward of the Household (James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie)
25. The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (William Peel, 3rd Earl Peel)
26. The Master of the Horse (Rupert Ponsonby, 7th Baron de Mauley)
27. Dukes
28. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, eldest son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
29. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
30. Prince George of Cambridge, eldest son of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
31. Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
32. Marquesses
33. Eldest sons of dukes (see list)
34. Earls
35. Younger sons of dukes of Blood Royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor and Prince Louis of Cambridge)
36. Eldest sons of marquesses
37. Younger sons of dukes
38. Viscounts
39. Eldest sons of earls
40. Lord Frederick Windsor
41. Younger sons of marquesses
42. The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic Bishops, according to seniority of consecration
43. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron (none)
44. Barons and Lords of Parliament
45. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (Declan Morgan)
46. Treasurer of the Household (Stuart Andrew MP)
47. Comptroller of the Household (Mike Freer MP)
48. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Marcus Jones MP)
49. Secretaries of State under the degree of baron

• • The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Dominic Raab MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Justice (Robert Buckland QC MP, who ranks higher as Lord Chancellor)
  • The Secretary of State for Defence (Ben Wallace MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Health (Matt Hancock MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Transport (Grant Shapps MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Education (Gavin Williamson MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Wales (Simon Hart MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Scotland (Alister Jack MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Brandon Lewis MP)
  • The Secretaries of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy; for International Trade; for Work and Pensions; for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; for Culture, Media and Sport; for International Development; 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
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[]

1. The Sovereign (Elizabeth II)
2. Female members of the Royal Family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom/Royal family (women)
3. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
4. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Brenda Hale, Baroness Hale of Richmond)
5. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
6. Duchesses
7. Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
8. Sylvana Tomaselli, wife of Earl of St Andrews
9. Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
10. Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
11. Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
12. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, only daughter of the Duke of Cambridge
13. Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, only daughter of the Duke of Sussex
14. Marchionesses
15. Wives of duke's eldest sons
16. Daughters of dukes not married to peers
17. Countesses
18. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
19. Lady Gabriella Kingston
20. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
21. Wives of dukes' younger sons
22. Viscountesses
23. Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
24. Earls' daughters not married to peers
25. Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
26. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
27. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron (none)
28. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
29. Secretaries of State below the degree of baron

• • The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Andrea Leadsom MP)
  • The Secretary of State for International Trade (Liz Truss MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Theresa Villiers MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Amber Rudd MP)
  • The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Nicky Morgan MP)
  • The Secretary of State for International Development (Anne-Marie Trevelyan 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. 1. Valerie Stephen
   2. Mary Colman
   3. June Hillary
   4. Jennifer Acland
   5. Norma Major
2. Wives of Knights of the Thistle

• • all rank higher, except:

1. 1. Poppy Anderson
2. Privy Counsellors
3. Lords Justices of Appeal
4. High Court Judges
5. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
6. Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
7. Wives of baronets
8. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
9. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
10. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
11. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
12. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
13. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
14. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
15. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
16. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
17. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
18. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
19. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
20. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
21. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
22. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
23. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
24. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
25. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
26. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
27. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
28. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
29. Wives of Knights Bachelor
30. Companions of the Order of the Bath
31. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
32. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
33. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
34. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
35. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
36. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
37. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
38. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
39. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
40. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
41. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
42. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
43. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
44. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
45. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
46. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
47. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
48. Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
49. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
50. Daughters of baronets
51. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
52. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
53. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
54. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
55. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
56. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
57. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
58. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
59. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
60. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
61. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
62. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
63. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
64. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
65. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
66. Daughters of Knights of the Garter
67. Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
68. Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
69. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
70. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
71. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
72. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
73. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
74. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
75. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
76. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
77. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
78. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
79. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
81. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
82. Members of the Order of the British Empire
83. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
84. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
85. Wives of younger sons of baronets
86. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
87. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
88. Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
89. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
90. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
91. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
92. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
93. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
94. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
95. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
96. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
97. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
98. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
99. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
100. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
101. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)

Local precedence[]

1. The Lord Lieutenant of the County:
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim (Joan Christie)
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Armagh (Nicholas Alexander, 7th Earl of Caledon)
   • Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Belfast (Finnouala Jay-O'Boyle)
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Down (David Lindsay)
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Fermanagh (Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough)
   • Lord Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry (Angela Garvey)
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Londonderry (Alison Millar)
   • Lord Lieutenant for County Tyrone (Robert Lowry Scott)
2. The Lord Mayor:
   • The Lord Mayor of Belfast (appointed annually)
3. The (Elected) Mayor
4. The Deputy Mayor
5. Councillors
6. Justices of the Peace
7. The Town Clerk

Notes[]

References[]