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 (NIO) of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, or the Northern Ireland Assembly, or the Northern Ireland Executive.

History

The first official "Scale of Local Precedence for Northern Ireland" was made by royal warrant of George V on 30 January 1923 transmitted James Hamilton, 3rd Duke of Abercorn, who was Governor of Northern Ireland.^[1] The Governor ranked next in the scale after the Sovereign.^[1] The 1923 scale replaced the order of precedence in Ireland consequent on the partition of Ireland and abolition of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whose functions the Governor carried out in Northern Ireland. The 1923 scale was drawn up by Nevile Wilkinson, the Ulster King of Arms, who despite partition was based in Dublin and retained all-island jurisdiction until 1943.^[2] The scale was replaced on 2 July 1924,^[3] and modified subsequently, as for example in 1948 to include the minister and permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health and Local Government (created in 1944) and the Air Officer Commanding, Northern Ireland.^[4] The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 abolished many offices in the scale and added many new ones, but as of 1992^[update] no updated scale was officially made.^[5]

Gentlemen

1. The sovereign (HM The King)
2. Male members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
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, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and the President Of the Methodist Church in Ireland, according to the seniority of their consecration or election
   • Archbishop of Armagh (Roman Catholic) (Eamon Martin)
   • Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) (Dermot Farrell)
   • Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) (Michael Jackson)
   • Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) (John McDowell)
   • Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (John Kirkpatrick)
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 Derry during civic functions in their boroughs
9. The Lord High Steward (office only in existence for coronations)
10. The Lord High Chancellor (The Rt Hon. Alex Chalk, MP)
11. The Prime Minister^{[nb 1]} (The Rt Hon. Rishi Sunak, MP)
12. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment^{[citation needed]}
13. The Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
14. Speaker of the House of Commons (The Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, MP)
15. The Lord Speaker^{[nb 2]} (The Rt Hon. The Baron McFall of Alcluith)
16. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom^[10] (The Rt Hon. The Lord Reed of Allermuir)
17. The Lord Privy Seal (The Rt Hon. The Lord True)
18. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival^{[nb 3][11]}
19. The Lord Great Chamberlain (The Rt Hon. The Lord Carrington)
20. The Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
21. The Earl Marshal (HG The Duke of Norfolk)
22. The Lord High Admiral (office vacant since the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
23. The Lord Steward (The Rt Hon. The Earl of Rosslyn)
24. The Lord Chamberlain (The Rt Hon. The Lord Parker of Minsmere)
25. The Master of the Horse (The Rt Hon. The Lord de Mauley)
26. Dukes
27. Earl of Ulster, eldest son of the Duke of Gloucester
28. Earl of St Andrews, eldest son of the Duke of Kent
29. Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
30. Marquesses
31. Eldest sons of dukes
32. Earls
33. Younger sons of dukes of blood royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor, younger son of the Duke of Kent)
34. Eldest sons of marquesses
35. Younger sons of dukes
36. Viscounts
37. Eldest sons of earls
38. Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
39. Younger sons of marquesses
40. The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic bishops, according to seniority of consecration
41. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron (The Rt Hon. The Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton)
42. Barons and Lords of Parliament
43. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (held by a woman)
44. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Stuart Anderson, MP)
45. Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
    • The Secretary of State for Justice (The Rt Hon. Alex Chalk, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Defence (The Rt Hon. Grant Shapps, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (The Rt Hon. Michael Gove, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (The Rt Hon. Steve Barclay, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (The Rt Hon. Mel Stride, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Transport (The Rt Hon. Mark Harper, MP)
    • The Home Secretary (The Rt Hon. James Cleverly, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (The Rt Hon. Chris Heaton-Harris, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Scotland (The Rt Hon. Alister Jack, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Wales (David TC Davies MP)
    • The Secretaries of State for Business and Trade; for Health and Social Care; for Culture, Media and Sport; and for Education are women
46. Eldest sons of viscounts
47. Younger sons of earls
48. Eldest sons of barons
49. Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
50. Knights of the Order of the Thistle
51. Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
52. Privy Counsellors
53. Lords Justices of Appeal of Northern Ireland
54. Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland
55. Younger sons of viscounts
56. Younger sons of barons
57. Baronets
58. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
59. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
60. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
61. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
62. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
63. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
64. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
65. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
66. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
67. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
68. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
69. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
70. Knights Bachelor
71. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
72. Companions of the Order of the Bath
73. Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
74. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
75. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
76. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
77. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
78. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
79. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
81. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
82. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
83. Eldest sons of baronets
84. Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
85. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
86. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
87. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
88. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
89. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
90. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
91. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
92. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
93. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
94. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
95. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
96. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
97. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
98. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
99. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
100. Members of the Order of the British Empire
101. Younger sons of baronets
102. Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
103. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
104. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
105. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
106. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
107. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
108. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
109. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
110. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
111. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
112. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
113. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
114. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
115. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
116. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
117. The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (Malcolm McKibbin)
118. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel (Stephen Peover)
119. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Education (Paul Sweeney)
120. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Gerry Lavery)
121. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of the Environment (Leo O'Reilly)
122. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (David Sterling)
123. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Andrew McCormick)
124. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)
125. The Permanent Secretary to the Department for Employment and Learning (Alan Shannon)
126. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Regional Development (David Orr)
127. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Social Development (William Haire)
128. The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Arthur Moir)
129. The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (Kieran Donnelly)
130. The Examiner of Statutory Rules (Gordon Nabney)
131. The Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland (O. G. Paulin)
132. King's Counsel of Northern Ireland
133. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Simon Byrne)

Ladies

1. Female members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
2. Lord President of the Council (The Rt Hon. Penny Mordaunt, MP)
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. Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
7. Countess of St Andrews, 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. Marchionesses
12. Wives of duke's eldest sons
13. Daughters of dukes not married to peers
14. Countesses
15. Lady Nicholas Windsor (wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor)
16. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
17. Lady Gabriella Kingston
18. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
19. Wives of dukes' younger sons
20. Viscountesses
21. Wives of eldest sons of earls
22. Earls' daughters not married to peers
23. Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
24. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
25. Treasurer of the Household (The Rt Hon. Kelly Tolhurst, MP)
26. Comptroller of the Household (Rebecca Harris, MP)
27. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of baroness (none)
28. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
29. Secretaries of State below the degree of baroness
    • The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (The Rt Hon. Kemi Badenoch, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Education (The Rt Hon. Gillian Keegan, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (The Rt Hon. Victoria Atkins, MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (The Rt Hon. Lucy Frazer, MP)
30. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
31. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
32. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
33. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
34. Daughters of barons or baronesses
35. Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter
    1. The Rt Hon. The Baroness Manningham-Buller
    2. Lady Mary Fagan
    3. Lady Mary Peters
    4. The Rt Hon. The Baroness Amos
    5. The Rt Hon. The Baroness Ashton of Upholland
36. Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
    1. The Rt Hon. Lady Elish Angiolini
37. Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter (all rank higher, except)
    1. June, Lady Hillary
    2. Jennifer, Lady Acland
    3. Dame Norma, Lady Major
    4. Cherie, Lady Blair
38. Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher)
39. Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
40. Privy Counsellors
41. Lords Justices of Appeal
42. High Court Judges
43. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
44. Wives of younger sons of barons
45. Wives of baronets
46. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
47. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
48. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
49. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
50. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
51. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
52. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
53. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
54. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
55. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
56. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
57. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
58. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
59. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
60. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
61. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
62. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
63. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
64. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
65. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
66. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
67. Wives of Knights Bachelor
68. Companions of the Order of the Bath
69. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
70. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
71. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
72. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
73. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
74. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
75. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
76. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
77. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
78. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
79. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
81. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
82. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
83. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
84. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
85. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers
86. Daughters of sons of peers
87. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
88. Daughters of baronets
89. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
90. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
91. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
92. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
93. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
94. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
95. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
96. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
97. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
98. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
99. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
100. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
101. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
102. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
103. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
104. Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
105. Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
106. Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
107. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
108. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
109. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
110. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
111. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
112. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
113. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
114. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
115. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
116. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
117. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
118. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
119. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
120. Members of the Order of the British Empire
121. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
122. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
123. Wives of younger sons of baronets
124. Wives of younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
125. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
126. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
127. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
128. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
129. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
130. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
131. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
132. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
133. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
134. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
135. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
136. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
137. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
138. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
139. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)

Local precedence

1. Lord Lieutenants:
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Antrim (David McCorkell)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Armagh (The Rt Hon. The Earl of Caledon)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast (Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Down (Gawn William Rowan Hamilton)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh (The Rt Hon. The Viscount Brookeborough)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of the City of Londonderry (Angela Garvey)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry (Alison Millar)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone (Robert Lowry Scott)
2. Lords 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