Order of precedence in Northern Ireland explained

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.^[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 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) (HG the Most Rev Eamon Martin)
   • Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) (HG the Most Rev. Dr Dermot Farrell)
   • Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) (HG the Most Rev. Michael Jackson)
   • Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) (HG the Most Rev. John McDowell)
   • Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Sam Mawhinney)
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 (office held by a woman)
11. The Prime Minister (The Rt Hon. Sir Keir Starmer)
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 (The Rt Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle)
15. The Lord Speaker (The Rt Hon. The Lord McFall of Alcluith)
16. The President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (The Rt Hon. The Lord Reed of Allermuir)
17. The Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman)
18. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
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 (HM The King)
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 Ashton of Hyde)
26. Dukes
27. Earl of Ulster, only son of HRH The Duke of Gloucester
28. Earl of St Andrews, elder son of HRH 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 HRH 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
42. Barons and Lords of Parliament
43. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (held by a woman)
    1. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
    • The Foreign Secretary (The Rt Hon. David Lammy)
    • The Secretary of State for Defence (The Rt Hon. John Healey)
    • The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (The Rt Hon. Ed Miliband)
    • The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (The Rt Hon. Peter Kyle)
    • The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (The Rt Hon. Wes Streeting)
    • The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (The Rt Hon. Jonathan Reynolds)
    • The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (The Rt Hon. Steve Reed)
    • The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (The Rt Hon. Hilary Benn)
    • The Secretary of State for Scotland (The Rt Hon. 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
44. Eldest sons of viscounts
45. Younger sons of earls
46. Eldest sons of barons
47. Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
48. Knights of the Order of the Thistle
49. Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
50. Privy Counsellors
51. Lords Justices of Appeal of Northern Ireland
52. Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland
53. Younger sons of viscounts
54. Younger sons of barons
55. Baronets
56. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
57. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
58. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
59. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
60. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
61. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
62. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
63. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
64. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
65. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
66. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
67. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
68. Knights Bachelor
69. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
70. Companions of the Order of the Bath
71. Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
72. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
73. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
74. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
75. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
76. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
77. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
78. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
79. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
80. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
81. Eldest sons of baronets
82. Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
83. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
84. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
85. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
86. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
87. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
88. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
89. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
90. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
91. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
92. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
93. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
94. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
95. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
96. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
97. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
98. Members of the Order of the British Empire
99. Younger sons of baronets
100. Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
101. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
102. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
103. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
104. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
105. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
106. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
107. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
108. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
109. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
110. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
111. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
112. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
113. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
114. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
115. The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (Malcolm McKibbin)
116. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel (Stephen Peover)
117. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Education (Paul Sweeney)
118. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Gerry Lavery)
119. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of the Environment (Leo O'Reilly)
120. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (David Sterling)
121. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Andrew McCormick)
122. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)
123. The Permanent Secretary to the Department for Employment and Learning (Alan Shannon)
124. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Regional Development (David Orr)
125. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Social Development (William Haire)
126. The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Arthur Moir)
127. The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (Kieran Donnelly)
128. The Examiner of Statutory Rules (Gordon Nabney)
129. The Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland (O. G. Paulin)
130. King's Counsel of Northern Ireland
131. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Jon Boutcher)

Ladies

1. Female members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
2. Lord High Chancellor (The Rt Hon. Shabana Mahmood)
3. Lord President of the Council (The Rt Hon. Lucy Powell)
4. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
5. Ambassadors of foreign countries andHigh Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival
6. Duchesses
7. Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
8. Countess of St Andrews, 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. Marchionesses
13. Wives of duke's eldest sons
14. Daughters of dukes not married to peers
15. Countesses
16. Lady Nicholas Windsor (wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor)
17. Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
18. Lady Gabriella Kingston
19. Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
20. Wives of dukes' younger sons
21. Viscountesses
22. Wives of eldest sons of earls
23. Earls' daughters not married to peers
24. Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
25. Wives of marquesses' younger sons
    1. 1. Treasurer of the Household Comptroller of the Household Secretaries of State, if of the degree of baroness (none)
26. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
27. Secretaries of State below the degree of baroness
    • The Home Secretary (The Rt Hon. Yvette Cooper)
    • The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (The Rt Hon. Angela Rayner)
    • The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (The Rt Hon. Liz Kendall)
    • The Secretary of State for Education (The Rt Hon. Bridget Phillipson)
    • The Secretary of State for Transport (The Rt Hon. Louise Haigh)
    • The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (The Rt Hon. Lisa Nandy)
    • The Secretary of State for Wales (The Rt Hon. Jo Stevens)
28. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
29. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
30. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
31. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
32. Daughters of barons or baronesses
33. 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
34. Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
    1. The Rt Hon. Lady Elish Angiolini
35. 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
36. Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher)
37. Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
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
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
72. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
73. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
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
84. Daughters of sons of peers
85. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
86. Daughters of baronets
87. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
88. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
89. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 Companion of the Order of the Garter
103. Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
104. Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
105. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
106. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 Companion of the Order of the Garter
123. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
124. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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 (none, order dormant)
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. 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 (Ian Crowe)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of County Londonderry (Alison Millar)
   • The Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone (Robert Lowry Scott)
2. Lords Mayor:
   • The Lord Mayor of Belfast (Micky Murray)
3. The (Elected) Mayor
4. The Deputy Mayor
5. Councillors
6. Justices of the Peace
7. The Town Clerk

Notes and References

1. Bridgeman . W. C. . Scale of Local Precedence for Northern Ireland . Belfast Gazette . 2 February 1923 . 83 . 33–35 . 27 October 2022.
2. Book: Hood . Susan . Royal roots, republican inheritance : the survival of the Office of Arms . 2002 . Woodfield Press in association with the National Library . Dublin . 978-0-9534293-3-2 . 119 .
3. Henderson . Arthur . Scale of Local Precedence for Northern Ireland . Belfast Gazette . 11 July 1924 . 865 . 159–161 . 27 October 2022.
4. Ede . James Chuter . George R. . Belfast Gazette . 24 September 1948 . 1422 . 233 . 27 October 2022.
5. Book: Montague-Smith . Patrick W. . Debrett's correct form . 1992 . Headline . London . 978-0-7472-3926-0 . 318 .