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 Her 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

1. The Sovereign (King Charles III)
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, 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 (David Bruce)
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 (Dominic Raab MP)
11. The Prime Minister (Rishi Sunak MP)
12. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
13. The Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
14. Speaker of the House of Commons (Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP)
15. The Lord Speaker (The Baron McFall of Alcluith)
16. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (Lord Reed)
17. The Lord Privy Seal (The Baron True)
18. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
19. The Lord Great Chamberlain (The 7th Baron Carrington)
20. The Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
21. The Earl Marshal (The 18th Duke of Norfolk)
22. The Lord High Admiral (office vacant since the death of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh)
23. The Lord Steward of the Household (The 17th Earl of Dalhousie)
24. The Lord Chamberlain of the Household (The Lord Parker of Minsmere)
25. The Master of the Horse (The 7th Baron de Mauley)
26. Dukes
27. Alexander, Earl of Ulster, eldest son of The Duke of Gloucester
28. George, 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 (see list)
32. Earls
33. Younger sons of dukes of Blood Royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor)
34. Eldest sons of marquesses
35. Younger sons of dukes
36. Viscounts
37. Eldest sons of earls
38. Lord Frederick Windsor
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 (none)
42. Barons and Lords of Parliament
43. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (Held by a woman)
44. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household (Michael Tomlinson MP)
45. Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
    • The Secretary of State for Justice (Dominic Raab)
    • The Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (James Cleverly MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Defence (Ben Wallace MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Michael Gove MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Grant Shapps MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Steve Barclay MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Transport (Mark Harper MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Chris Heaton-Harris MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Scotland (Alister Jack MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Wales (David TC Davies MP)
    • The Secretaries of State for the Home Department; for International Trade; for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport; for Education; and for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs are women
46. Eldest sons of viscounts
47. Younger sons of earls
48. Eldest sons of barons
49. Knights of the Garter
50. Knights of the Thistle
51. Knights 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 of the Garter
85. Eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
86. Eldest sons of Knights 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 of the Garter
103. Younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
104. Younger sons of Knights 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/Royal family (women)
2. Lord President of the Council (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. Claire Windsor, Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
7. Sylvana Tomaselli, 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. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
16. Lady Gabriella Kingston
17. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
18. Wives of dukes' younger sons
19. Viscountesses
20. Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
21. Earls' daughters not married to peers
22. Sophie Winkleman, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
23. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
24. Treasurer of the Household (Kelly Tolhurst MP)
25. Comptroller of the Household (Rebecca Harris MP)
26. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baroness (none)
27. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
28. Secretaries of State below the degree of baroness
    • The Secretary of State for International Trade (Kemi Badenoch MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Education (Gillian Keegan MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Therese Coffey MP)
    • The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Michelle Donelan MP)
    • The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Suella Braverman MP)
29. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
30. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
31. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
32. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
33. Daughters of barons or baronesses
34. Ladies of the Garter
    1. Anne, Princess Royal
    2. Princess Alexandra, the Hon Lady Ogilvy
35. Ladies of the Thistle
    1. Anne, Princess Royal
36. Wives of Knights of the Garter

    all rank higher, except:

    1. June Hillary
    2. Jennifer Acland
    3. Norma Major
    4. Cherie Blair
37. Wives of Knights of the Thistle

    all rank higher, except:

    1. Poppy Anderson
38. Privy Counsellors
39. Lords Justices of Appeal
40. High Court Judges
41. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
42. Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
43. Wives of baronets
44. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
45. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
46. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
47. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
48. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
49. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India
50. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
51. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
52. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
53. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
54. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
55. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
56. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
57. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
58. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
59. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
60. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
61. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
62. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
63. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
64. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
65. Wives of Knights Bachelor
66. Companions of the Order of the Bath
67. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
68. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
69. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
70. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
71. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India
72. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
73. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire
74. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
75. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
76. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
77. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
78. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
79. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
80. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
81. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
82. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
83. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers or peeresses
84. Daughters of sons of peers or peeresses
85. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
86. Daughters of baronets
87. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Garter
88. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Thistle
89. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of St Patrick
90. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
91. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
92. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
93. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
94. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
95. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
96. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
97. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
98. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
99. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
100. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
101. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
102. Daughters of Knights of the Garter
103. Daughters of Knights of the Thistle
104. Daughters of Knights of St Patrick
105. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
106. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
107. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
108. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
109. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
110. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
111. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
112. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
113. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
114. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
115. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
116. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
117. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
118. Members of the Order of the British Empire
119. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
120. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
121. Wives of younger sons of baronets
122. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Garter
123. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Thistle
124. Wives of younger sons of Knights of St Patrick
125. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
126. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
127. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
128. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
129. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
130. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
131. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
132. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
133. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
134. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
135. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
136. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
137. 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 (David McCorkell)
   • 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 (Gawn William Rowan Hamilton)
   • 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