Order of precedence in Northern Ireland

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.{{cite journal |last1=Bridgeman |first1=W. C. |title=Scale of Local Precedence for Northern Ireland |journal=Belfast Gazette |date=2 February 1923 |issue=83 |pages=33–35 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Belfast/issue/83/page/33 |access-date=27 October 2022}} 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.{{cite book |last1=Hood |first1=Susan |title=Royal roots, republican inheritance : the survival of the Office of Arms |date=2002 |publisher=Woodfield Press in association with the National Library |location=Dublin |isbn=978-0-9534293-3-2 |page=119 |url=https://archive.org/details/royalrootsrepubl0000hood/page/119}} The scale was replaced on 2 July 1924,{{cite journal |last1=Henderson |first1=Arthur |title=Scale of Local Precedence for Northern Ireland |journal=Belfast Gazette |date=11 July 1924 |issue=865 |pages=159–161 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Belfast/issue/159/page/865 |access-date=27 October 2022}} 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.{{cite journal |last1=Ede |first1=James Chuter |title=George R. |journal=Belfast Gazette |date=24 September 1948 |issue=1422 |page=233 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Belfast/issue/1422/page/233 |access-date=27 October 2022}} The Northern Ireland Constitution Act 1973 abolished many offices in the scale and added many new ones, but {{As of|1992|lc=y}} no updated scale was officially made.{{cite book |last1=Montague-Smith |first1=Patrick W. |title=Debrett's correct form |date=1992 |publisher=Headline |location=London |isbn=978-0-7472-3926-0 |page=318 |url=https://archive.org/details/debrettscorrectf0000mont_z0y6/page/318}}

1. The sovereign (Charles III)
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. 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
6. *Archbishop of Armagh (Roman Catholic) (Eamon Martin)
7. *Archbishop of Dublin (Roman Catholic) (Dermot Farrell)
8. *Archbishop of Dublin (Church of Ireland) (Michael Jackson)
9. *Archbishop of Armagh (Church of Ireland) (John McDowell)
10. *Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (Sam Mawhinney)
11. 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.
12. Recorders of boroughs in Northern Ireland during civic functions in their boroughs
13. High sheriffs of Belfast and Derry during civic functions in their boroughs
14. Lord High Steward (office only in existence for coronations)
15. Lord High Chancellor (office held by a woman)
16. Prime Minister{{#tag:ref |The title of Prime Minister was used unofficially in the 18th and 19th centuries for the First Lord of the Treasury; it first received official recognition with a Royal Warrant of 2 December 1905, which assigned the Prime Minister precedence immediately after that of the Archbishop of York.{{Cite book |last=Brazier |first=Rodney |author-link=Rodney Brazier |year=1997 |title=Ministers of the Crown |location=Oxford |publisher=Clarendon Press |pages=5–6 |isbn=0-19-825988-3}}{{London Gazette |issue=27860 |date=5 December 1905 |page=8735}} |name="Prime Minister" |group=nb}} (Sir Keir Starmer)
17. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment{{Citation needed|reason=see Talk:Order of precedence in England and Wales#Commonwealth PMs|date=September 2017}}
18. Lord High Treasurer (currently in commission)
19. Speaker of the House of Commons (Sir Lindsay Hoyle)
20. The Lord Speaker{{#tag:ref |The speakership of the House of Lords was historically vested in the Lord Chancellor; following the creation of a separate office of Lord Speaker, its rank and precedence was established by Royal Warrant dated 4 July 2006 as being immediately after that of the Speaker of the House of Commons.{{Cite web |url=http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Newsletter/011.htm |title=The College of Arms Newsletter, No. 11 |date=December 2006 |publisher=College of Arms |access-date=11 October 2012}}{{London Gazette |issue=58050 |date=21 July 2006 |page=9986}} |name="Lord Speaker" |group=nb}} (John McFall, Baron McFall of Alcluith)
21. President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom{{London Gazette|issue=59201 |date=1 October 2009 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-59201-934290}} (Robert Reed, Baron Reed of Allermuir)
22. Lord Privy Seal (office held by a woman)
23. Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival{{#tag:ref |When visiting the United Kingdom, cabinet ministers of foreign countries are given precedence immediately above that of their country's High Commissioner (if in the Commonwealth) or Ambassador (if not). |name="Visiting ministers" |group=nb}}{{London Gazette|issue=38487 |date=24 December 1948 |page=6670}}
24. Lord Great Chamberlain (Rupert Carington, 7th Baron Carrington)
25. Lord High Constable (office only in existence coronations)
26. Earl Marshal (Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk)
27. Lord High Admiral (Charles III)
28. Lord Steward (Peter St Clair-Erskine, 7th Earl of Rosslyn)
29. Lord Chamberlain (Richard Benyon, Baron Benyon)
30. Master of the Horse (Henry Ashton, 4th Baron Ashton of Hyde)
31. Dukes
32. Alexander Windsor, Earl of Ulster, only son of Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
33. George Windsor, Earl of St Andrews, elder son of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
34. Ministers, envoys, and other very important visitors from foreign countries
35. Marquesses
36. Eldest sons of dukes
37. Earls
38. Younger sons of dukes of blood royal (Lord Nicholas Windsor, younger son of the Duke of Kent)
39. Eldest sons of marquesses
40. Younger sons of dukes
41. Viscounts
42. Eldest sons of earls
43. Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
44. Younger sons of marquesses
45. The Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic bishops, according to seniority of consecration
46. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of a baron
47. Barons and Lords of Parliament
48. The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (held by a woman)
49. Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
50. Secretaries of State under the degree of baron
51. * Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs (David Lammy)
52. * Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)
53. * The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)
54. * The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)
55. * The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Wes Streeting)
56. * The Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds)
57. * The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Steve Reed)
58. * The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Hilary Benn)
59. * The Secretary of State for Scotland (Ian Murray)
60. *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
61. Eldest sons of viscounts
62. Younger sons of earls
63. Eldest sons of barons
64. Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
65. Knights of the Order of the Thistle
66. Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
67. Privy Counsellors
68. Lords Justices of Appeal of Northern Ireland
69. Judges of the High Court of Northern Ireland
70. Younger sons of viscounts
71. Younger sons of barons
72. Baronets
73. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
74. Knights Grand Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
75. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
76. Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
77. Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
78. Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
79. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath
80. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
81. Knights Commanders of the Order of St Michael and St George
82. Knights Commanders of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
83. Knights Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
84. Knights Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
85. Knights Bachelor
86. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
87. Companions of the Order of the Bath
88. Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
89. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
90. Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
91. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
92. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
93. Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
94. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
95. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
96. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
97. Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
98. Eldest sons of baronets
99. Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
100. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
101. Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
102. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
103. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
104. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
105. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
106. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
107. Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
108. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
109. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
110. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
111. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
112. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
113. Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
114. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
115. Members of the Order of the British Empire
116. Younger sons of baronets
117. Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
118. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
119. Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick
120. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
121. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India
122. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
123. Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
124. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
125. Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
126. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
127. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India
128. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
129. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
130. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
131. Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
132. The Head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service (David Malcolm McKibbin)
133. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Finance and Personnel (Stephen Peover)
134. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Education (Paul Sweeney)
135. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Gerry Lavery)
136. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of the Environment (Leo O'Reilly)
137. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (David Sterling)
138. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (Andrew McCormick)
139. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)
140. The Permanent Secretary to the Department for Employment and Learning (Alan Shannon)
141. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Regional Development (David Orr)
142. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Social Development (William Haire)
143. The Clerk of the Northern Ireland Assembly (Arthur Moir)
144. The Comptroller and Auditor General for Northern Ireland (Kieran Donnelly)
145. The Examiner of Statutory Rules (Gordon Nabney)
146. The Crown Solicitor for Northern Ireland (O. G. Paulin)
147. King's Counsel of Northern Ireland
148. The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (Jon Boutcher)

1. Female members of the royal family, as set out in Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
2. Lord High Chancellor (Shabana Mahmood)
3. Lord President of the Council (Lucy Powell)
4. Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment
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, 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
26. Treasurer of the Household
27. Comptroller of the Household
28. Secretaries of State, if of the degree of baroness (none)
29. Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament, and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
30. Secretaries of State below the degree of baroness
31. * The Home Secretary (Yvette Cooper)
32. * The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (Angela Rayner)
33. * The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)
34. * The Secretary of State for Education (Bridget Phillipson)
35. * The Secretary of State for Transport (Heidi Alexander)
36. * The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)
37. * The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)
38. Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
39. Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
40. Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
41. Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
42. Daughters of barons or baronesses
43. Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter
44. Eliza Manningham-Buller, Baroness Manningham-Buller
45. Lady Mary Fagan
46. Lady Mary Peters
47. Valerie Amos, Baroness Amos
48. Catherine Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland
49. Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
50. Lady Elish Angiolini
51. Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter (all rank higher, except)
52. June, Lady Hillary
53. Jennifer, Lady Acland
54. Dame Norma, Lady Major
55. Cherie, Lady Blair
56. Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher)
57. Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
58. Privy Counsellors
59. Lords Justices of Appeal
60. High Court Judges
61. Wives of viscounts' younger sons
62. Wives of younger sons of barons
63. Wives of baronets
64. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
65. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
66. Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
67. Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
68. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
69. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
70. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
71. Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
72. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
73. Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
74. Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
75. Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
76. Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
77. Dames Commandes of the Order of the British Empire
78. County Court Judges in Northern Ireland and Recorders of Boroughs
79. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
80. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
81. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
82. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
83. Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
84. Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
85. Wives of Knights Bachelor
86. Companions of the Order of the Bath
87. Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
88. Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
89. Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
90. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
91. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
92. Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
93. Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
94. Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
95. Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
96. Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
97. Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
98. Officers of the Order of the British Empire
99. Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
100. Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
101. Companions of the Imperial Service Order
102. Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
103. Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers
104. Daughters of sons of peers
105. Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
106. Daughters of baronets
107. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
108. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
109. Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
110. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
111. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
112. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
113. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
114. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
115. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
116. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
117. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
118. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
119. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
120. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
121. Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
122. Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
123. Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
124. Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
125. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
126. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
127. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
128. Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
129. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
130. Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
131. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
132. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
133. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
134. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
135. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
136. Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
137. Members of the Royal Victorian Order
138. Members of the Order of the British Empire
139. Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
140. Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
141. Wives of younger sons of baronets
142. Wives of younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
143. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
144. Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
145. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
146. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
147. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
148. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire
149. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
150. Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
151. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
152. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
153. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
154. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
155. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
156. Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
157. The Permanent Secretary to the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (Rosalie Flanagan)

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

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Northern Ireland

Category:Politics of Northern Ireland

Category:Society of Northern Ireland