# Order of precedence in Northern Ireland

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. The Governor ranked next in the scale after the Sovereign. 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. The scale was replaced on 2 July 1924, 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. The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 abolished many offices in the scale and added many new ones, but as of 1992 no updated scale was officially made.

## Gentlemen

* The sovereign (Charles III)
* Male members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
* Lord-lieutenants (see list here) (during term of office and within bounds of counties and cities)
* High sheriffs of counties (see list here) (during term of office and within bounds of counties)
* 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 (Sam Mawhinney)
* 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.
* Recorders of boroughs in Northern Ireland during civic functions in their boroughs
* High sheriffs of Belfast and Derry during civic functions in their boroughs
* Lord High Steward (office only in existence for coronations)
* Lord High Chancellor (office held by a woman)
* Prime Minister (Sir Keir Starmer)
* Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
* Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
* Speaker of the House of Commons (Sir Lindsay Hoyle)
* The Lord Speaker (John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith)
* President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Robert Reed, Baron Reed of Allermuir)
* Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman)
* Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
* Lord Great Chamberlain (Rupert Carington, 7th Baron Carrington)
* Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
* Earl Marshal (Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk)
* Lord High Admiral (Charles III)
* Lord Steward (Peter St Clair-Erskine, 7th Earl of Rosslyn)
* Lord Chamberlain (Richard Benyon, Baron Benyon)
* Master of the Horse (Henry Ashton, 4th Baron Ashton of Hyde)
* Dukes
* Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, only son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
* George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, elder son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
* Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
* Marquesses
* Eldest sons of dukes
* Earls
* Younger sons of dukes of blood royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor, younger son of the Duke of Kent)
* Eldest sons of marquesses
* Younger sons of dukes
* Viscounts
* Eldest sons of earls
* Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
* Younger sons of marquesses
* The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic bishops, according to seniority of consecration
* Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron
* Barons and Lords of Parliament
* The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (held by a woman)
* Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
* Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
** Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (David Lammy)
** Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
** The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
** The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)
** The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
** The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)
** The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)
** The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
** The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)
** The Secretaries of State for Justice; Levelling Up, Housing and Communities; Work and Pensions; Transport; Home; Culture, Media and Sport; Education and Wales are women
* Eldest sons of viscounts
* Younger sons of earls
* Eldest sons of barons
* Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
* Privy Counsellors
* Lords Justices of Appeal of Northern Ireland
* Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland
* Younger sons of viscounts
* Younger sons of barons
* Baronets
* Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
* Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
* Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
* Knights Bachelor
* County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
* Companions of the Order of the Bath
* Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
* Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
* Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
* Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
* Officers of the Order of the British Empire
* Companions of the Imperial Service Order
* Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
* Eldest sons of baronets
* Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* Members of the Royal Victorian Order
* Members of the Order of the British Empire
* Younger sons of baronets
* Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (David Malcolm McKibbin)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel (Stephen Peover)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Education (Paul Sweeney)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Gerry Lavery)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of the Environment (Leo O'Reilly)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (David Sterling)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Andrew McCormick)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department for Employment and Learning (Alan Shannon)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Regional Development (David Orr)
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Social Development (William Haire)
* The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Arthur Moir)
* The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (Kieran Donnelly)
* The Examiner of Statutory Rules (Gordon Nabney)
* The Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland (O. G. Paulin)
* King's Counsel of Northern Ireland
* The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Jon Boutcher)

## Ladies

* Female members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
* Lord High Chancellor (Shabana Mahmood)
* Lord President of the Council (Lucy Powell)
* Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
* Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
* Duchesses
* Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
* Sylvana Tomaselli, Countess of St Andrews, wife of Earl of St Andrews
* Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
* Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
* Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
* Marchionesses
* Wives of duke's eldest sons
* Daughters of dukes not married to peers
* Countesses
* Lady Nicholas Windsor (wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor)
* Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
* Lady Gabriella Kingston
* Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
* Wives of dukes' younger sons
* Viscountesses
* Wives of eldest sons of earls
* Earls' daughters not married to peers
* Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
* Wives of marquesses' younger sons
* Treasurer of the Household
* Comptroller of the Household
* Secretaries of State, if of the degree of baroness (none)
* Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
* Secretaries of State below the degree of baroness
** The Home Secretary (Yvette Cooper)
** The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Angela Rayner)
** The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
** The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)
** The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
** The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)
** The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)
* Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
* Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
* Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
* Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
* Daughters of barons or baronesses
* Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter
** Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller
** Lady Mary Fagan
** Lady Mary Peters
** Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos
** Catherine Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland
* Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
** Lady Elish Angiolini
* Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter (all rank higher, except)
** June, Lady Hillary
** Jennifer, Lady Acland
** Dame Norma, Lady Major
** Cherie, Lady Blair
* Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher)
* Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
* Privy Counsellors
* Lords Justices of Appeal
* High Court Judges
* Wives of viscounts' younger sons
* Wives of younger sons of barons
* Wives of baronets
* Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
* County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Knights Bachelor
* Companions of the Order of the Bath
* Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
* Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
* Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
* Officers of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
* Companions of the Imperial Service Order
* Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
* Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers
* Daughters of sons of peers
* Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
* Daughters of baronets
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
* Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* Members of the Royal Victorian Order
* Members of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of younger sons of baronets
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
* Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
* Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
* Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
* The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)

## Local precedence

* Lord Lieutenants:
** The Lord Lieutenant of Antrim (David McCorkell)
** The Lord Lieutenant of Armagh (Nicholas Alexander, 7th Earl of Caledon)
** The Lord Lieutenant of Belfast (Dame Fionnuala Jay-O'Boyle)
** The Lord Lieutenant of Down (Gawn William Rowan Hamilton)
** The Lord Lieutenant of Fermanagh (Alan Brooke, 3rd Viscount Brookeborough)
** The Lord Lieutenant of the City of Londonderry (Ian Crowe)
** The Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry (Alison Millar)
** The Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone (Robert Lowry Scott)
* Lords Mayor:
** The Lord Mayor of Belfast (Micky Murray)
* The (Elected) Mayor
* The Deputy Mayor
* Councillors
* Justices of the Peace
* The Town Clerk