Category Archives: British Royals

Viscount and Viscountess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Viscount. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963963

Viscount is the fourth rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, in order of creation. There have been nearly 800 Viscountcies created in the various peerages, including 14 Viscountcies created for women in their own right. Over 330 Viscountcies are still extant, however the majority are held as subsidiary titles of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls.

The word Viscount comes from the Old French visconte, which itself comes from the Medieval Latin vicecomitem, and referred to a trusted appointee or courier, and later a count. In Anglo-Norman England, it was used as an honorific, typically referring to a county sheriff. Wives of Viscounts, and women holding a Viscountcy in their own right, use the title Viscountess.

Arms of the Walter Devereux, 1st Viscount Hereford. photo: By Rs-nourse – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30843575

The first Viscountcy was granted in 1432 when John Beaumont, 6th Baron Beaumont was created Viscount Beaumont by King Henry VI. The most-senior Viscount – known as the Premier Viscount of England – is The Viscount of Hereford. The title was created in 1550 for Walter Devereux, 9th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The current holder is Robin Devereux, 19th Viscount Hereford. This is also the most senior Viscountcy with no more-senior titles.

The last non-Royal Viscountcy was granted in 1984, when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. The last non-Royal Viscountcy, with no more-senior title, was granted in 1983 for Thomas George Thomas, a former Speaker of the House of Commons, who was created Viscount Tonypandy.

The Earl of Wessex. photo: By Northern Ireland Office – https://www.flickr.com/photos/niogovuk/16103288623/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38785243

The last Royal Viscountcy was created in 1999 as a subsidiary title when Prince Edward was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. This was the first time a royal prince was granted a viscountcy since 1726, when the title was given to two of King George II’s sons:

  • Prince Frederick (later Prince of Wales) created Duke of Edinburgh, Marquess of the Isle of Ely, Earl of Eltham, Viscount Launceston and Baron Snowdon. The titles were inherited by his son, the future King George III and merged with the Crown upon his accession in 1760.
  • Prince William was created Duke of Cumberland, Marquess of Berkhamsted, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. He died without issue in 1765 and the titles became extinct.

In 1917, four Viscountcies were granted to relatives of the Royal Family when they relinquished their German titles at the request of King George V:

The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. photo: By Allan warren – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12111584

And in 1946, Lord Louis Mountbatten, the younger son of the Marquess of Milford Haven, was created Viscount Mountbatten of Burma. The following year, he was also created Earl Mountbatten of Burma, which became his senior title. Both grants allowed for the titles to pass to his daughters (as he had no sons), and the Viscountcy became a subsidiary title of the Earldom. The titles are currently held by the 1st Earl’s grandson, Norton Knatchbull, 3rd Earl Mountbatten of Burma.

Mary Anne Disraeli, Viscountess of Beaconsfield

There have been 14 women created Viscountesses in their own right:

  • Elizabeth Heneage Finch, Countess of Winchilsea (1556-1634) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Maidstone in 1623 by King James I. She was later created Countess of Winchilsea in 1628 by King Charles I. Both titles were hereditary, and remain extant.
  • Anne Bayning, Viscountess Bayning (1619-1678) – the daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Anne was created Viscountess Bayning, for life only, in 1674.
  • Sarah Monson Corbet, Viscountess Corbet – Sarah was the wife of Sir Vincent Corbet, 1st Baronet, an English politician who fought on the Royalist side in the English Civil War. Long after his death, Sarah was created Viscountess Corbet in her own right – for life only – in 1679.
  • Grace Granville Carteret, Countess Granville (c1667-1744) – Grace was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Bath. Several years after the Bath Earldom became extinct, Grace was created Countess Granville and Viscountess Carteret in her own right in 1715. The titles became extinct following the death of her grandson in 1776.
  • Margaret Coningsby Newton, Countess Coningsby (1709-1761) – Margaret was the daughter of the 1st Earl Coningsby, and was created Viscountess Coningsby and Baroness Coningsby in her own right in 1716. She later inherited her father’s Earldom, becoming 2nd Countess Coningsby. As she died with no male heirs, her titles became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Villiers Mason, Countess Grandison (d. 1782) – the daughter of the 1st Earl Grandison, Elizabeth was created Viscountess Grandison in her own right in 1746. Later, in 1767 following her father’s death, she was created Countess Grandison and Viscount Villiers. The titles all became extinct upon the death of her son in 1800.
  • Elizabeth Upton Rowley, Viscountess Langford (1713-1791) – Elizabeth was created Viscountess Langford and Baroness of Summerhill in her own right in 1766. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1796.
  • Margaretta Amelia Burgh Foster, Viscountess Ferrard (c1737-1824) – Margaretta was first created Baroness Oriel in her own right in 1790, as a way of honoring her husband, but still allowing him to continue as Speaker of the Irish House of Commons. She was later created Viscountess Ferrard in 1797. The title remains extant.
  • Charlotte Gleadowe-Newcomen, Viscountess Newcomen (d 1817) – Charlotte was first created Baroness Newcomen in 1800, and then Viscountess Newcomen in 1803. The titles became extinct upon the death of her son in 1825.
  • Joan Scott Canning, Viscountess Canning (1777-1837) – Joan was the widow of George Canning who served as Foreign Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Prime Minister before his death in 1827. Six months later, in January 1828, Joan was created Viscountess Canning in her own right. The title was inherited by her son Charles, who served as Viceroy of India, and was later created Earl Canning. All of the titles became extinct upon the Earl’s death in 1862.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Duchess of Sutherland, Countess of Cromartie (1828-1892) – Anne was Duchess of Sutherland by marriage. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie and Viscountess Tarbat in her own right, reviving titles which had been held previously by her ancestors. The Cromartie and Tarbat titles were granted with special remainder to her younger sons, as her eldest would inherit his father’s Dukedom. The titles remain extant.
  • Mary Anne Evans Disraeli, Viscountess Beaconsfield (1792-1872) – Mary Anne was the wife of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. In 1868, at the end of his first time as Prime Minister, she was created Viscountess Beaconsfield in her own right. The title went extinct upon her death in 1872. Four years later, her husband was created Earl of Beaconsfield, and later refused the offer of a Dukedom from Queen Victoria.
  • Emily Danvers Smith, Viscountess Hambleden (1828-1913) – Emily was the widow of politician William Henry Smith. Following his death in 1891, Emily was created Viscountess Hambleden. The title remains extant.
  • Muriel Douglas-Pennant FitzRoy, Viscountess Daventry (1869-1962) – Muriel was the widow of Edward FitzRoy who served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1928 until his death in 1943. Following his death, she was created Viscountess Daventry in her own right by King George VI. The title remains extant.

Styles and Titles
Viscountcies are titled either using a place name, a surname, or a combination of the two, and rarely contain the article ‘of’ when using place names. The exception would be Viscountcies in the Peerage of Scotland, which were typically titled as The Viscount of XX. However, in practice, very few maintain that style, preferring simply to be known as Viscount XX.

  • A Viscount is styled The Right Hon. The Viscount XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Viscountess is styled The Right Hon. The Viscountess XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • Unlike eldest sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls, the eldest son of a Viscount does not use any subsidiary titles.  All children of a Viscount are styled ‘The Hon (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Henry Devereux is the eldest son and heir of the Viscount Hereford.

LIST OF EXTANT VISCOUNTCIES, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Viscounts in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Earl and Countess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of an Earl. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963962

Earl is the third highest rank within the Peerage, preceded by Dukes and Marquesses, in order of creation. There have been 979 Earldoms created in the various peerages, with over 600 different titles. These include 21 Earldoms created for women in their own right. Of the 324 Earldoms still extant, over a hundred of those are held by higher ranking Dukes and Marquesses as subsidiary titles.

The word Earl comes from the Old English word, eorl, meaning a military leader. This likely came from the Scandinavian form of the word, jarl, which meant chieftain. There is no specific female version of the word, but Countess is used for wives of Earls, and for women holding an Earldom in their own right.

The title of Earl dates back to Canute the Great’s conquest of England in 1016. He divided the kingdom into several regions, which were governed by Earls. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, William the Conqueror created the first Earldoms in the Peerage of England. These Earldoms still represented large areas of the country. The eldest is considered to be The Earldom of East Anglia, created for Ralph the Staller in 1067, and later renamed to the Earldom of Norfolk in 1070.

The 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury. photo: By Chris McAndrew – https://api.parliament.uk/Live/photo/O2s9PcHf.jpeg?crop=MCU_3:4&quality=80&download=trueGallery: https://beta.parliament.uk/media/O2s9PcHf, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67598607

The most senior earl – The Premier Earl of England – is the Earl of Arundel, whose title dates back to c1138. Since 1660, it has been one of the subsidiary titles of The Duke of Norfolk, who is also the Premier Duke of England. The current holder is Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk.

The most senior Earl with no higher peerage titles is The Earl of Shrewsbury. The title was created in 1442 for John Talbot, Baron Talbot, an English general who served in the Hundred Years’ War. Today, the title is held by Charles Chetwynd-Talbot, 22nd Earl of Shrewsbury (who is also 22nd Earl of Waterford, 7th Earl Talbot, 7th Viscount of Ingestre and 7th Baron Dynevor).

Harold Macmillan (later The Earl of Stockton) c1942. source: Wikipedia

The last non-royal Earldom was created in 1984 when former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan was created Earl of Stockton and Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden. It was the first Earldom created in over 20 years. The Earl had served as Prime Minister from January 1957 until October 1963.

When a Prince of the Royal Family marries, it has become tradition that he is granted a peerage – usually a Dukedom, and Earldom and a Barony. One notable exception is Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II. Upon his marriage in 1999, he was created Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. It is understood that he will later be created Duke of Edinburgh when the title becomes available.  Prince Edward is also the recipient of the most recent Earldom created for a member of the Royal Family – The Queen created him Earl of Forfar on March 10, 2019, his 55th birthday.

Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. source: Wikipedia

There have been 21 Earldoms granted to women in their own right. The 19 women who received these titles are:

  • Mary Beaumont Villiers, Countess of Buckingham (c1570-1632) – created Countess of Buckingham in 1618, following the death of her first husband, Sir George Villiers. She is probably best known as the mother of Sir George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. The title became extinct upon her death.
  • Elizabeth Darcy Savage, Countess Rivers (1581-1650) – Elizabeth’s father had been created Earl Rivers in 1626. Following his death in 1640, the title passed to Elizabeth’s son. The following year, she was created Countess of Rivers in her own right, in compensation for having been passed over for the hereditary title.
  • Katherine Wotton Stanhope, Countess of Chesterfield (1609-1667) – Katherine was governess to Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange, and later became one of her closest confidantes and advisors. She later served Anne Hyde, Duchess of York, and Queen Catherine (Catherine of Braganza). She was created Countess of Chesterfield in her own right by King Charles II in 1660.
  • Elizabeth Feilding Boyle, Countess of Guilford (d 1667) – a member of the Royal Household of Queen Herietta Maria, Elizabeth was created Countess of Guilford in her own right, for life, in 1660.
  • Louise de Penancoët de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth (1649-1734) – Louise was the mistress of King Charles II. In 1673, she was created Duchess of Portsmouth, Countess of Fareham and Baroness Petersfield. The titles, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1734.
  • Elizabeth Bayning Lennard, Countess of Sheppey – daughter of the 1st Viscount Bayning, Elizabeth was created Countess of Sheppey, for life only, in 1680.
  • Catherine Sedley, Countess of Dorchester (1657-1717) – Catherine was the mistress of KIng James II/VII, having first served as a lady in waiting to his wife, Mary of Modena. The King created her Countess of Dorchester, for life, in 1686.
  • Mary Stafford Howard, Countess of Stafford – Mary was the wife of William Howard, Viscount Stafford, who was stripped of his titles due to his part in the Popish Plot in 1678, and was executed in 1680. Several years later, Mary was created Countess of Stafford for life, in 1688 at the same time her son was granted an hereditary Earldom of Stafford.
  • Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster (1667-1743) – a longtime mistress of King George I. In 1716, she was created Duchess of Munster, Marchioness of Dungannon, Countess of Dungannon and Baroness Dundalk in the Peerage of Ireland. Three years later, she was also created Duchess of Kendal, Countess of Feversham and Baroness Glastonbury in the Peerage of Great Britain. All of her titles were for life only, and went extinct upon her death in 1743.
  • Sophia von Kielmansegg, Countess of Darlington and Leinster (1675-1725) – Sophia was a half-sister of King George I. She was created Countess of Leinster in the Peerage of Ireland in 1721, and then Countess of Darlington and Baroness Brentford in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1722. These titles – granted for life only – became extinct upon her death in 1725.
  • Petronilla Melusine von der Schulenburg, Countess of Walsingham (1693-1778) – an illegitimate daughter of King George I with his mistress, Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster. She was created Countess of Walsingham and Baroness Aldborough, for life, in 1722. She also became Countess of Chesterfield by marriage in 1733.
  • Amalie von Wendt von Wallmoden, Countess of Yarmouth (1704-1765) – Amalie was the principal mistress of KIng George II. In 1740, she was created Countess of Yarmouth, for life. Amalie holds the distinction of being the last Royal Mistress to be granted a peerage.
  • Ellis (Elizabeth) Agar Bermingham, Countess of Brandon (1708-1789) – Ellis was created Countess of Brandon in the Peerage of Ireland in 1758. The title, granted for life only, became extinct upon her death in 1789.
  • Elizabeth Cuffe Pakenham, Countess of Longford (1719-1794) – descended from the Earls of Longford from the first creation (1677), Elizabeth was created Countess of Longford, in her own right, in 1785. Unlike previous women granted Earldoms, the Earldom of Longford was created as an hereditary peerage. It is currently held by Thomas Pakenham, 8th Earl of Longford.
  • Alice Forward Howard, Countess of Wicklow (d. 1807) – Alice was married to Ralph Howard, Viscount Wicklow and Baron Clonmore. Several years after his death, she was created Countess of Wicklow in her own right in 1793. The title was hereditary, but went extinct in 1978.
  • Henrietta Laura Johnstone Pulteney, Countess of Bath (1766-1808) – a wealthy heiress, Laura was created Baroness of Bath in 1792, a nod to her mother’s ancestors having held the Earldom of Bath until its extinction in 1794. She was later elevated to Countess of Bath, in her own right, in 1803. The title became extinct upon her death in 1808.
  • Annabel Yorke Hume-Campbell, Countess de Grey (1751-1833) – a daughter of the 2nd Earl of Hardwicke, Annabel was created Countess de Grey in her own right in 1816. As she had no children, following her death the title passed to the son of her younger sister. The Earldom de Grey became extinct in 1923.
  • Anne Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, Countess of Cromartie (1829-1888) – Anne was descended from the Earls of Cromartie, whose titles and estates were forfeited in 1746. In 1861, she was created Countess of Cromartie, Viscountess Tarbat, Baroness Castlehaven and Baroness MacLeod in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, by Queen Victoria. Unusually, the title was granted with remainder to her younger sons, and daughters (her eldest son would inherit his father’s Dukedom of Sutherland). The Cromartie Earldom is currently held by John Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie.
  • Anne Mathews Cave, Countess Cave of Richmond – Anne was the wife of George Cave,1st Viscount Cave, who served as Lord Chancellor from 1922-1924 and 1924-1928. It had been announced that he would be elevated to an Earldom after retiring as Lord Chancellor. However, he died on the day his resignation was accepted, so his wife, Anne, was created Countess Cave of Richmond in her own right. The title was hereditary, but as none of her children lived to adulthood, the Earldom went extinct upon her death in 1938.

Styles and Titles

Earldoms are titled one of two different ways. If the Earldom originates from a place, one is created The Earl of XX (example: The Earl of Shrewsbury). If the Earldom originates from a surname, one is created The Earl XX (example: The Earl Spencer).

  • An Earl is styled The Right Hon. The Earl of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lord’, ‘Your Lordship’, or ‘Lord XX’.
  • A Countess is styled The Right Hon. The Countess of XX, and is referred to as ‘My Lady’, ‘Your Ladyship’, or ‘Lady XX’.
  • The eldest son of an Earl traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Earldom, the next senior title is used).  This used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. Example: the eldest son of The Earl Spencer is styled ‘Viscount Althorp’.
    In the Peerage of Scotland, the heir is styled Master of XX if there are no other subsidiary titles.
  • Younger sons of an Earl are styled as ‘The Hon. (first name) (surname)’. Example: The Hon. Edmund Spencer is the younger son of The Earl Spencer.
  • All daughters of an Earl are styled as ‘Lady (first name) (surname)’. Example: Lady Kitty Spencer is a daughter of the Earl Spencer.

LIST OF EXTANT EARLDOMS, in order of creation:

Wikipedia: List of Earls in the Peerages of Britain and Ireland

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Marquess and Marchioness

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a Marquess. photo: By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963961

Marquess is the second-highest title in the British peerage, holding precedence following Dukes, in order of creation. Currently, there are 55 Marquessates, held by 51 people. For 34 of them, Marquess is their senior title, while the others are subsidiary titles of Dukes.

The word Marquess comes from the french marchis, mean ruler of a border area. Marchis was itself derived from marche – “frontier”, coming from the Latin marcha. Women holding a Marquessate in their own right and wives of a Marquess hold the title Marchioness.

The title of Marquess was first used in England in 1385, when Robert de Vere, the 9th Earl of Oxford was created Marquess of Dublin by King Richard II. Less than a year later, the title was revoked, and de Vere was created Duke of Ireland. In 1397, two additional marquessates – Dorset and Somerset – were granted to John Beaufort, the 1st Earl of somerset. These, two, were revoked two years later. It would be 1442 before the title of Marquess was granted again, and continued so until the 1930s. In total, 135 Marquessates have been created, consisting of 125 different titles. These include 1 woman created a Marchioness in her own right (a title which went extinct upon her death).

The Peerage of England (1385-1707)

  • 33 Marquessates created
  • 30 different titles
  • 1 Marchioness in her own right
  • 6 still extant

The Peerage of Scotland (1488-1707)

  • 23 Marquessates created
  • 22 different titles
  • 13 still extant

The Peerage of Great Britain (1707-1801)

  • 22 Marquessates created
  • 22 different titles
  • 8 still extant

The Peerage of Ireland (1642-1801-1825)

  • 24 Marquessates created
  • 19 different titles
  • 10 still extant

The Peerage of the United Kingdom (1801-present)

  • 33 Marquessates created
  • 32 different titles
  • 18 still extant

The most senior Marquess, known as The Premier Marquess of England, is the Marquess of Winchester whose title was created in 1551. He is also the only Marquess in the Peerage of England with no higher ranking Dukedom.

The last non-Royal Marquessate – Marquess of Willingdon – was granted in 1936. However, it became extinct in 1979. The last created, and still extant, is the Marquess of Reading, created in 1926.

Frederick, Prince of Wales. source: Wikipedia

The last Royal Marquessates were granted in 1726 by King George II to two of his sons:

  • Prince Frederick was created Duke of Edinburgh, Marquess of the Isle of Ely, Earl of Eltham, Viscount Launceston and Snowdon. Frederick later became Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay, and was the father of King George III. His titles passed to his son, and reverted to the crown upon his accession in 1760.
  • Prince William was created Duke of Cumberland, Marquess of Berkhamsted, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon and Baron Alderney. These titles became extinct upon his death in 1765.

The Marquess of Milford Haven, formerly Prince Louis of Battenberg. source: Wikipedia

In addition, three Marquessates were created for relatives of the Royal Family in November 1917, when King George V asked his relatives to relinquish their German titles and styles:

Anne Boleyn, Queen of England. source: Wikipedia

There has only been one woman created a Marchioness in her own right:

Anne Boleyn (c1501-1536) – in preparation for her wedding to King Henry VIII, she was created Marchioness of Pembroke in her own right in an investiture ceremony held at Windsor Castle on September 1, 1532. The couple married several months later, and Anne was Queen of England until her beheading in 1536. The title was created with remainder to her “heirs male”, making it the first hereditary peerage granted to a woman. However, as she had no sons, the title became extinct upon her death.

Styles and Titles

  • A Marquess is styled The Most Honourable The Marquess of XX, and referred to as ‘My Lord’ or ‘Your Lordship’.
  • A Marchioness is styled The Most Honourable The Marchioness of XX, and referred to as ‘My Lady’ or ‘Your Ladyship’.
  • The eldest son of a Marquess traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Marquessate, the next senior title is used). This is used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. For example, the eldest son of the Marquess of Milford Haven is styled ‘Earl of Medina’.
  • Younger sons and all daughters of a Marquess are styled as ‘Lord/Lady (first name) (surname)’. Example: Lady Tatiana Mountbatten is the daughter of The Marquess of Milford Haven.

LIST OF EXTANT DUKEDOMS, in order of creation:

PEERAGE OF ENGLAND
Marquess of Winchester
Marquess of Worcester  – subsidiary title of the Duke of Beaufort
Marquess of Tavistock  – subsidiary title of the Duke of Bedford
Marquess of Hartington – subsidiary title of the Duke of Devonshire
Marquess of Blandford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Marlborough
Marquess of Granby – subsidiary title of the Duke of Rutland

PEERAGE OF SCOTLAND
Marquess of Huntly
Marquess of Douglas – subsidiary title of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
Marquess of Clydesdale – subsidiary title of the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
Marquess of Montrose – subsidiary title of the Duke of Montrose
Marquess of Atholl – subsidiary title of the Duke of Atholl
Marquess of Queensberry
Marquess of Dumfriesshire – subsidiary title of the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Marquess of Tweeddale
Marquess of Kintyre and Lorne – subsidiary title of the Duke of Argyll
Marquess of Lothian
Marquess of Tullibardine – subsidiary title of the Duke of Atholl
Marquess of Graham and Buchanan – subsidiary title of the Duke of Montrose
Marquess of Bowmont and Cessford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Roxburghe

PEERAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Marquess of Lansdowne
Marquess of Stafford – subsidiary title of the Duke of Sutherland
Marquess Townshend
Marquess of Salisbury
Marquess of Bath
Marquess of Abercorn – subsidiary title of the Duke of Abercorn
Marquess of Hertford
Marquess of Bute

PEERAGE OF IRELAND
Marquess of Kildare – subsidiary title of the Duke of Leinster
Marquess of Waterford
Marquess of Downshire
Marquess of Donegall
Marquess of Headfort
Marquess of Sligo
Marquess of Ely
Marquess of Londonderry
Marquess Conyngham
Marquess of Hamilton – subsidiary title of the Duke of Abercorn

PEERAGE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Marquess of Exeter
Marquess of Northampton
Marquess Camden
Marquess of Wellington – subsidiary title of the Duke of Wellington
Marquess Douro – subsidiary title of the Duke of Wellington
Marquess of Anglesey
Marquess of Cholmondeley
Marquess of Ailesbury
Marquess of Bristol
Marquess of Ailsa
Marquess of Westminster – subsidiary title of the Duke of Westminster
Marquess of Normanby
Marquess of Abergavenny
Marquess of Zetland
Marquess of Linlithgow
Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair
Marquess of Milford Haven
Marquess of Reading

Multiple Marquessate Holders
The Duke of Abercorn holds the Marquessates of Abercorn and Hamilton
The Duke of Atholl holds the Marquessates of Atholl and Tullibardine
The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon holds the Marquessates of Douglas and Clydesdale
The Duke of Wellington holds the Marquessates of Wellington and Douro

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: House of Tudor

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

This article does not contain christening information for some Tudors because the information is unknown and/or some children died young.

King Henry VII of England, born Henry Tudor

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Elizabeth of York, Queen of England

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Arthur Tudor, Prince of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scots

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

King Henry VIII of England

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Mary Tudor, Queen of France, Duchess of Suffolk

Mary Tudor & her second husband Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Henry, Duke of Cornwall

********************

Queen Mary I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Queen Elizabeth I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

King Edward VI of England

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: House of Stuart

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

This article does not contain christening information for some Stuarts because the information is unknown and many children died young.

King James I of England/James VI, King of Scots

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: February 19, 1594, at Stirling Castle in Stirling; styled from birth Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick, Lord of the Isles, the traditional titles for the heir apparent to the Scots throne
  • Christened: August 30, 1594, at the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle
  • Names: Henry Frederick after his grandfathers, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley and King Frederik II of Denmark
  • Died: November 6, 1612, probably of typhoid fever

*********************

Elizabeth Stuart, Electress Palatine

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: Elizabeth Stuart, Electress Palatine
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: August 19, 1596, at Falkland Palace in Fife, Scotland
  • Christened: November 28, 1596, in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Died: February 13, 1662
  • Elizabeth was the mother of Sophia, Electress of Hanover who was the mother of King George I, the first king from the House of Hanover

*********************

King Charles I of England

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: King Charles I of England (also Charles I, King of Scots)
  • Parents: King James I, then James VI, King of Scots, and Anne of Denmark
  • Born: November 19, 1600, at Dunfermline Palace in Fife, Scotland
  • Christened: December 23, 1600, in the Chapel Royal at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Scotland
  • Died: beheaded January 30, 1649

*********************

Mary Stuart

*********************

King Charles II of England

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Mary, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

King James II of England

James and his siblings in 1637: Left to right: Mary, James, Charles, Elizabeth, and Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Elizabeth Stuart

Elizabeth on the left holding her sister Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Anne Stuart
see portraits above

*********************

Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Henrietta Stuart, Duchess of Orléans

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Charles Stuart, Duke of Cambridge 

*********************

Queen Mary II of England

Mary, on the left, with her parents and her sister Anne; Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

King William III of England, Willem III, Prince of Orange

Credit – Wikipedia

  • Unofficial Royalty: King William III of England (also William II, King of Scots)
  • Parents: Mary, Princess Royal and Willem II, Prince of Orange
  • Born: November 4, 1650, at Binnenhof in The Hague, Dutch Republic
  • William was the only child of Mary, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of King Charles I. His father died at age 24 of smallpox eight days before William’s birth, so from birth, William was the sovereign Prince of Orange. He married his first cousin Mary, the eldest daughter of King James II
  • Christened: January 21, 1651, at the Grote Kerk (Great Church) in The Hague, Dutch Republic
  • Names: his mother wanted to name him Charles after her beheaded father but her mother-in-law insisted on the traditional House of Orange names Willem Hendrik
  • Died: March 8, 1702

*********************

James, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Queen Anne of Great Britain

Anne, in between her parents, with her sister Mary; Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

Charles Stuart, Duke of Kendal

*********************

Edgar Stuart, Duke of Cambridge

*********************

Queen Anne’s obstetrical history is tragic. She had 17 pregnancies with only five children being born alive. Two died on the day of their birth, two died at less than two years old within six days of each other from smallpox, and one died at age 11. Below is the christening information for the three children who survived infancy,

The Lady Mary

  • Parents: The Lady Anne, the future Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark
  • Born: June 2, 1685, at the Palace of Whitehall in London, England
  • Christened: June 2, 1685, at the Palace of Whitehall in London, England
  • Died: February 8, 1687, from smallpox

*********************

The Lady Anne Sophia

*********************

Prince William, Duke of Gloucester

William in the robes of the Order of the Garter, Credit – Wikipedia

*********************

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: House of Hanover

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

For christenings of Queen Victoria’s children, her grandchildren who were born British princes and princess, and her other children who were christened in the United Kingdom see Christenings of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Their Children, and Select Grandchildren.

There is no christening information on King George I, his children King George II and Sophia Dorothea, and the first four children of King George II. All of them were born in Hanover and were most likely christened at Schloss Herrenhausen in Hanover.

********************

King George I, born Georg Ludwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg

King George I as a young army officer; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

CHILDREN OF KING GEORGE I

King George II, born Georg August of Brunswick-Lüneburg

George II, in the middle, with his mother and sister Sophia Dorothea; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, Queen of Prussia
(see portrait above)

********************

CHILDREN OF KING GEORGE II

Frederick, Prince of Wales, born Friedrich Ludwig of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Anne, Princess Royal, Princess of Orange, born Anne of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Anne, Amelia and Caroline, 1721; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Amelia of Great Britain, born Amelia of Brunswick-Lüneburg
(see portrait above)

********************

Princess Caroline of Great Britain, born Caroline of Brunswick-Lüneburg
(see portrait above)

********************

Prince George William of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince William, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Mary of Great Britain, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Louisa of Great Britain, Queen of Denmark

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

CHILDREN AND OF FREDERICK, PRINCE OF WALES

Princess Augusta of Wales, Duchess of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

Augusta, on the right, with her brothers George and Edward; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

King George III of the United Kingdom, born Prince George of Wales

George, on the right, with his brother Edward and their tutor Francis Ayscough; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Edward, Duke of York, born Prince Edward of Wales
(see portrait above)

********************

Princess Elizabeth of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester, born Prince William Henry of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Sophia of Gloucester, daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Caroline of Gloucester, daughter of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

********************

Prince William Frederick, Duke of Gloucester, son of Prince William Henry, Duke of Gloucester

William and his sister Sophia, 1779; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland, born Prince Henry of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Louisa of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Frederick of Wales

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Queen Caroline Matilda of Denmark, born Princess Caroline Matilda of Wales

Caroline Matilda with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF KING GEORGE III

King George IV of the United Kingdom, born George, Prince of Wales

George (left) with his mother and brother Frederick; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Charlotte of Wales, daughter of the future King George IV

Charlotte with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Frederick, Duke of York

Frederick on the left with his mother and his brother George; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

King William IV of the United Kingdom, William, Duke of Clarence

William (left) and his younger brother Edward, 1778; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Elizabeth of Clarence, daughter of the future King William IV

Recumbent effigy of Princess Elizabeth of Clarence in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle, Credit – Wikipedia

  • Wikipedia: Princess Elizabeth of Clarence
  • Parents: Prince William, Duke of Clarence, the future King William IV and Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen
  • Born: December 10, 1820, at St James’ Palace in London, England, six weeks prematurely
  • Christened: December 10, 1820, at St James’ Palace in London, England
  • Names: Elizabeth Georgiana Adelaide
  • Godparents:
  • Died: March 4, 1821, of the then inoperable condition of a strangulated hernia. During her short life, Elizabeth was ahead of her cousin, the future Queen Victoria, in the line of succession.

********************

Charlotte, Princess Royal, Queen of Württemberg

Queen Charlotte with Charlotte, Princess Royal; Credit – Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2016

********************

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, born Princess Victoria of Kent, daughter of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Victoria with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Augusta of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Elizabeth, Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

George V, King of Hanover, born Prince George of Cumberland, son of Ernest Augustus, King of Hanover, Duke of Cumberland

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Augustus, Duke of Sussex

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge, son of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Augusta of Cambridge, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, Duchess of Teck, daughter of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Mary of the United Kingdom, Duchess of Gloucester

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Octavius of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

Note: Prince Octavius is “of Great Britain” because it was not until 1801, after his death, that his father’s title changed to “of the United Kingdom.”

********************

Prince Alfred of Great Britain

Credit – Wikipedia

Note: Prince Alfred is “of Great Britain” because it was not until 1801, after his death, that his father’s title changed to “of the United Kingdom.”

********************

Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom

Credit – Wikipedia

********************

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Duke and Duchess

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

The Coronet of a British Duke. By SodacanThis W3C-unspecified vector image was created with Inkscape. – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10963935

by Scott Mehl

Dukes are the most senior members of the Peerage and hold precedence before all other members of the Peerage (with the exception of Royal Dukes and other peers who are also Officers of State). Precedence is determined by the date of the creation of the title. Currently, there are 37 Dukedoms, held by 31 Dukes.

The word Duke comes from the Latin word dux, meaning leader. In Ancient Rome it was used for a military commander, and later the leading commander of a province.  Women holding a Dukedom in their own right, and wives of Dukes, hold the title of Duchess.

The title Duke was first used in England in 1337, when King Edward III created his son Edward, the Black Prince, as Duke of Cornwall. His other surviving sons were later created Dukes as well – Clarence, Lancaster, York and Gloucester. There were 16 dukedoms created by 1483, but only four remained by the time the Tudor dynasty began in 1485. In total, 160 dukedoms have been created, consisting of 106 different titles. These include 7 Dukedoms created for women in their own right.  (6 women held these titles, all of which went extinct upon their deaths.)

The Peerage of England (1337-1707)

  • 76 dukedoms created
  • 43 different titles
  • 4 Duchesses in their own right
  • 11 still extant, including one Royal Duke (Cornwall)

The Peerage of Scotland (1398-1707)

  • 27 dukedoms created
  • 16 different titles
  • 0 Duchesses in their own right
  • 9 still extant, including one Royal Duke (Rothesay)

The Peerage of Great Britain (1707-1801)

  • 27 dukedoms created
  • 24 different titles
  • 1 Duchess in her own right
  • 3 still extant

The Peerage of Ireland (1661-1868)

  • 5 dukedoms created
  • 4 different titles
  • 1 Duchess in her own right
  • 2 still extant

The Peerage of The United Kingdom (1801-present)

  • 25 dukedoms created
  • 19 different titles
  • 1 Duchess in her own right
  • 12 still extant, including 6 Royal Dukes (Gloucester, Kent, Edinburgh, York, Cambridge, and Sussex)

Edward Fitzalan-Howard, 18th Duke of Norfolk. photo: By Allan warren – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28911277

The most senior Duke (aside from the Royal Dukes), known as The Premier Duke of England, is The Duke of Norfolk, whose title dates back to 1483. As the premier duke (and also the premier Earl as he holds the Earldom of Arundel), The Duke of Norfolk holds the position of Earl Marshal, one of the Great Officers of State. In this role, the Duke is responsible for major ceremonial events, such as the Coronation of the Monarch and State Funerals. He is also the head of the College of Arms, and is one of the four people who precede the Monarch in the procession at the State Opening of Parliament. Since The House of Lords Act 1999, as Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk is one of only two hereditary peers who is automatically a member of the House of Lords.

Alexander Duff, Duke of Fife with his wife, Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife, c1889. source: Wikipedia

The last non-royal dukedom created was The Duke of Fife in 1900. Alexander Duff had succeeded his father as Earl of Fife in 1879. Ten years later, in 1889, he married Princess Louise of Wales, the eldest daughter of the future King Edward VII. Two days after the wedding, Queen Victoria created Alexander Duke of Fife and Marquess of Macduff in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The Letters Patent creating the title contained the traditional succession to the “heirs male of his body”. As the couple only had two surviving daughters, The Queen granted a second creation of the title in 1900, creating him The Duke of Fife and Earl of Macduff. These Letters Patent included a special remainder that allowed the title to pass to the daughters of the Duke, and then to their male heirs.

Upon the Duke’s death in 1912, the original dukedom and marquessate became extinct. However, the second Dukedom, and earldom, passed to his eldest daughter, Princess Alexandra, who became the 2nd Duchess of Fife and 2nd Countess of Macduff in her own right. Following her death, as she had no surviving sons, the title passed to the son of her younger sister, James Carnegie who also inherited the Earldom of Southesk from his own father. The title continues to pass through the male line, and is currently held by David Carnegie, the 4th Duke of Fife, 13th Earl of Southesk, 4th Earl of Macduff, 13th Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird, 13th Lord Carnegie (of Kinnaird and Leuchars), 5th Baron Balinhard (of Farnell in the County of Forfar), and 10th Baronet Carnegie (of Pittarrow in the County of Kincardine). As the dukedom is his senior title, he is styled as The Duke of Fife.

Since then, the only dukedoms created have been for members of the Royal Family. There was one potential exception when in 1955, former Prime Minister Winston Churchill was offered a dukedom by Queen Elizabeth II. But Churchill declined the offer and was instead created a Knight of the Order of the Garter.

Cecilia Underwood, Duchess of Inverness. source: Wikipedia

There have been seven Dukedoms created for women in their own right.  The six women who received these titles are:

  • Margaret of Brotherton, Duchess of Norfolk (c1320-1399) – a granddaughter of King Edward I, Margaret succeeded her father as Countess of Norfolk in her own right in 1338, and was created Duchess of Norfolk in 1397 by King Richard II.
  • Alice Leigh Dudley, Duchess of Dudley (1579-1669) – Alice was the second wife of noted explorer Sir Robert Dudley, who abandoned her and their children, settling in Tuscany, remarrying and selling all of his English estates.  She was created Duchess of Dudley in her own right – only for life – by King Charles I in 1644.
  • Barbara Villiers Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland (1640-1709) – a mistress of King Charles II, with whom she had several children.  The King appointed her Lady of the Bedchamber to his wife, Catherine of Braganza, and in 1670 created her Duchess of Cleveland.  The title passed to her eldest son, and then grandson before becoming extinct in 1774.
  • Louise de Penancoët de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth (1649-1734) – a lady-in-waiting to King Charles II’s sister, the King later appointed her a Lady of Bedchamber to his wife, Catherine of Braganza.  She became the King’s mistress, and he created her Duchess of Portsmouth, Countess of Fareham and Baroness Petersfield in 1673.  Her titles were only for life, but her only son was later created Duke of Richmond.
  • Ehrengard Melusine von der Schulenburg, Duchess of Kendal and Munster (1667-1743) – once a maid of honour to the Electress Sophia of Hanover, Ehrengard became a mistress of the future King George I.  After he became King, Ehrengard accompanied him to England, and in 1716 he created her Duchess of Munster, Marchioness of Dungannon, Countess of Dungannon and Baroness Dundalk in the Peerage of Ireland.  Three years later, she was also created Duchess of Kendal, Countess of Feversham and Baroness Glastonbury in the Peerage of Great Britain.  All of these titles were only for her lifetime.
  • Cecilia Gore Buggin Underwood, Duchess of Inverness (1789-1873) – after being widowed in 1825, Cecilia became the wife of The Duke of Sussex, the sixth son of King George III.  As the marriage was in violation of the Royal Marriages Act, it was not recognized, and Cecilia did not gain any of her husband’s titles, or right of precedence.  She instead assumed her mother’s maiden name, Underwood, as her surname.  In 1840, her husband’s niece, Queen Victoria, created her Duchess of Inverness in her own right (recognizing one of her husband’s subsidiary titles, Earl of Inverness).  Unlike many of the other Duchesses in their own right, Cecilia’s title was granted to her and her male heirs.  As she had no children, the title became extinct upon her death.

Styles and Titles

  • A Duke is styled His Grace The Duke of XX, and referred to as ‘Your Grace’.
  • A Duchess (whether a Duke’s wife or a Duchess in her own right) is styled Her Grace The Duchess of XX and referred to as ‘Your Grace’.
  • The eldest son of a Duke traditionally uses his father’s most senior, but lower-ranking, subsidiary title as a courtesy title. (If the senior subsidiary title is similar to the name of the Dukedom, the next senior title is used). This is used without the article ‘The’ preceding it. For example, the eldest son of The Duke of Fife is styled ‘Earl of Southesk’.
  • Younger sons and all daughters of a Duke are styled as Lord or Lady (first name) (surname). Example: Lord George Carnegie is a younger son of The Duke of Carnegie.

LIST OF EXTANT DUKEDOMS, in order of creation:

PEERAGE OF ENGLAND
Duke of Cornwall
Duke of Norfolk
Duke of Somerset
Duke of Richmond
Duke of Grafton
Duke of Beaufort
Duke of St Albans
Duke of Bedford
Duke of Devonshire
Duke of Marlborough
Duke of Rutland

PEERAGE OF SCOTLAND
Duke of Rothesay
Duke of Hamilton
Duke of Buccleuch
Duke of Lennox
Duke of Queensberry
Duke of Argyll
Duke of Atholl
Duke of Montrose
Duke of Roxburghe

PEERAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN
Duke of Brandon
Duke of Manchester
Duke of Northumberland

PEERAGE OF IRELAND
Duke of Leinster
Duke of Abercorn

PEERAGE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Duke of Wellington
Duke of Sutherland
Duke of Westminster
Duke of Gordon
Duke of Argyll
Duke of Fife
Duke of Gloucester
Duke of Kent
Duke of Edinburgh
Duke of York
Duke of Cambridge
Duke of Sussex

MULTIPLE DUKEDOM HOLDERS
Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay (England, Scotland)
Duke of Hamilton and Brandon (Scotland, Great Britain)
Duke of Argyll (Scotland, United Kingdom)
Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry (both Scotland)
Duke of Richmond, Lennox and Gordon (Scotland, England, United Kingdom)

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

British Royal Christenings: Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Their Children, and Select Grandchildren

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

Exact replica of the original royal christening gown which was commissioned by Queen Victoria and first used at the christening of her eldest child Victoria in 1841; Credit – www.rct.uk/collection

Several of the British Royal Family’s christening traditions started with the christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest child. After the birth of her first child Victoria, Princess Royal in 1840, Queen Victoria commissioned a christening gown to be made.  The gown of Honiton lace lined with Spitalfields silk was made by Janet Sutherland, the daughter of a Scottish coal miner from Falkirk, who received the title Embroiderer to the Queen for her work.  First worn by Victoria, Princess Royal at her christening on February 10, 1841, her parents’ first wedding anniversary, the gown was worn by 62 descendants of Queen Victoria.  Lady Louise Windsor, the elder of the two children of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, was the last to wear the 1841 gown at her christening in 2004. Due to the gown’s age and delicate condition, Queen Elizabeth II commissioned Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen, to make a hand-made replica in order to preserve the original.  Jame Windsor, Earl of Wessex, the younger of the two children of Prince Edward, The Duke of Edinburgh and Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, was the first to wear the replica gown at his christening in 2008.

The Lily Font; Credit – https://www.royalcollection.org.uk

The Lily Font is a silver baptismal font commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840 after the birth of their first child, Victoria, Princess Royal. It was first used at the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal in 1841 and has been used for royal christenings ever since except that of Princess Eugenie of York. Prince Albert helped design the font which is made from a silver gilt with the appearance of gold. Three winged cherubs sit on the base of the font above the royal arms of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and Victoria, Princess Royal. The cherubs are playing lyres and above them leaves reach up to support the bowl which is edged by water lilies. For the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal, the Lily Font was placed on a table as seen in the portrait below of the christening of Victoria, Princess Royal.  Sometimes the Lily Font is placed into the larger 1660 Charles II font and its basin or the christening basin made in 1735 and first used at the christening of the future King George III in 1738.  This can be seen below in the portrait of the christening of the future King Edward VII. The Lily Font is part of the Crown Jewels and is kept at the Jewel House at the Tower of London when not in use.

The original Private Chapel at Windsor Castle, lithograph by Joseph Nash, 1848; Credit – Wikipedia

The Private Chapel at Windsor Castle was the site for the most christenings among this group of royalty, with the Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace a close second. The Private Chapel at Windsor Castle was created for Queen Victoria by architect Edward Blore between 1840 and 1847. There were niches with marble sculptures, pews, and a large Gothic chandelier hanging from the ceiling. On November 20, 1992, a fire began in the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle when a painter left a spotlight too close to curtains. The fire caused much damage to Windsor Castle. The Private Chapel was later restored but the new Private Chapel is much smaller, has chairs instead of pews, and is only able to fit thirty people. The new altar was made by Queen Elizabeth’s nephew David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon who is a furniture designer and maker.

Embed from Getty Images 
The original Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace, circa 1910-1911

The Private Chapel at Buckingham Palace was created for Queen Victoria in 1844 in what had originally been a conservatory. On September 13, 1940, the Private Chapel was destroyed in a German bombing raid during World War II. Originally, King George VI had wanted the Private Chapel rebuilt but because of all the reconstruction needed in the country after World War II, the plan was shelved. The Queen’s Gallery was built on the site and opened to the public in 1962 to exhibit works of art from the Royal Collection. At that time, the Private Chapel was relocated to the south-eastern part of Buckingham Palace.

********************

Included below is christening information for Queen Victoria, her husband Prince Albert, their nine children, their grandchildren born British princes and princesses, and their other grandchildren christened in the United Kingdom. It is interesting to note that Queen Victoria was a godparent to many of her grandchildren. Many godparents did not attend the christening. Instead, usually, a British royal family member would serve as a proxy. Please note that not all of the photos below are christening photos.

Queen Victoria

Victoria with her mother; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Prince Consort

Albert on the left with his mother and elder brother Ernst; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Victoria, Princess Royal, German Empress and Queen of Prussia

Christening of Victoria, Princess Royal in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace in 1841; Credit – Wikipedia

(All of the children of Victoria, Princess Royal were born and christened in Prussia.)

********************

King Edward VII, born Albert Edward, Prince of Wales

The christening of Queen Victoria’s eldest son Albert Edward, Prince of Wales in 1842; Credit – Wikipedia

(All the children of Edward VII were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is listed below.)

********************

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence, born Prince Albert Victor of Wales, known as Prince Eddy

Prince Eddy with his mother and father; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

King George V, born Prince George of Wales

The Princess of Wales holding Prince George who is wearing the christening gown; Credit – http://glucksburg.blogspot.com/

********************

Princess Louise, Princess Royal, Duchess of Fife, born Princess Louise of Wales

Embed from Getty Images
Princess Louise with her mother

********************

Princess Victoria of the United Kingdom, born Princess Victoria of Wales

Alexandra, Princess of Wales; Princess Victoria of Wales by W. & D. Downey, albumen carte-de-visite, Autumn 1868, NPG x3602 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Maud of Wales, Queen of Norway

Embed from Getty Images
Princess Maud with her mother

********************

Prince John of Wales

  • Parents: The Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (born Princess Alexandra of Denmark)
  • Born: prematurely on April 6, 1871, at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England, died April 7, 1871
  • Christened: April 6, 1871, at Sandringham House in Norfolk, England
  • Names: Alexander John Charles Albert

********************

Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse and by Rhine

Painting of baby Princess Alice by Edwin Landseer, a surprise gift from Prince Albert for Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

(All of Alice’s children except for her first child Victoria were born and christened in the Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine. Victoria’s christening information is listed below)

********************

Princess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhine

Embed from Getty Images
Princess Alice holding her daughter Princess Victoria

********************

Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Christening of Prince Alfred; Credit – http://www.avictorian.com

(Alfred’s children were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is below.)

********************

Prince Alfred of Edinburgh, Hereditary Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Alfred with his parents; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Marie of Edinburgh, Queen of Romania

1882 portrait of Marie by John Everett Millais commissioned by Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Princess Victoria Melita of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Grand Duchess Victoria Feodorovna of Russia

Royal Family group by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, 1879, NPG x95985 © National Portrait Gallery, London (Victoria Melita on the left with her siblings)

********************

Princess Beatrice of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duchess of Galliera

Embed from Getty Images

********************

Princess Helena of the United Kingdom, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein

Helena on the right with her brother Alfred; Credit – Wikipedia

(Helena’s children were born and christened in the United Kingdom. Their christening information is below.)

********************

Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein

Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, circa 1875, NPG x95879 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Prince Albert, Duke of Schleswig-Holstein

Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, half-plate collodion glass negative, circa 1875, NPG x96022 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, quarter-plate glass negative, July 1879, NPG x96017 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein

Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein by Alexander Bassano, quarter-plate glass negative, July 1879, NPG x96050 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll

Princess Louise; Credit – Wikipedia

(Louise had did not have any children.)

********************

Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught

Arthur with his parents and Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington; Credit – Wikipedia

(Arthur’s children were born British princes and princesses. Their christening information is below.)

********************

Princess Margaret of Connaught, Crown Princess of Sweden

Margaret with her grandmother Queen Victoria; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Prince Arthur of Connaught

Prince Arthur of Connaught by Alexander Bassano, albumen cabinet card, 1885, NPG x128290 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Patricia of Connaught, Lady Patricia Ramsay

Embed from Getty Images
Patricia on the left with her grandmother Queen Victoria and her brother Arthur

********************

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany

Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany by John Jabez Edwin Mayall, albumen carte-de-visite, February 1861, NPG x15726 © National Portrait Gallery, London

(Leopold’s children were born a British prince and princess. Their christening information is below.)

********************

Princess Alice of Albany, Countess of Athlone

Alice with her father; Credit – Wikipedia

********************

Charles Edward, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Princess Helen, Duchess of Albany; Prince Charles Edward, 2nd Duke of Albany and Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha by Byrne & Co, albumen cabinet card, December 1884, NPG x76776 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg

Embed from Getty Images
Beatrice with her mother

(Beatrice’s children were born and christened in the United Kingdom. Their christening information is below.)

********************

Alexander Mountbatten, 1st Marquess of Carisbrooke, born Prince Alexander of Battenberg

Princess Beatrice; Alexander Albert Mountbatten, 1st Marquess of Carisbrooke by W. & D. Downey, albumen cabinet card, circa 1890 NPG Ax5554 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, Queen of Spain

Princess Victoria of Prussia holding her cousin Princess Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg by Alexander Bassano, half-plate glass negative, 1888, NPG x95917 © National Portrait Gallery, London

********************

Lord Leopold Mountbatten, born Prince Leopold of Battenberg

Embed from Getty Images
Leopold on the left with his sister Victoria Eugenie and his brother Alexander

********************

Prince Maurice of Battenberg

The Baptism of Prince Maurice of Battenberg by George Ogilvy Reid; Credit – The National Galleries of Scotland

********************

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Sir Arthur Bigge, 1st Baron Stamfordham, Private Secretary to Queen Victoria and King George V

by Scott Mehl © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Sir Arthur Bigge, painted by Rudolf Swoboda, 1889. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 404843

Lieutenant Colonel The Right Honourable Sir Arthur John Bigge was Private Secretary to Queen Victoria from 1895 until she died in 1901. He then served as Private Secretary to the future King George V from 1901 – 1910, and for twenty-one years of King George V’s reign until he died in 1931. Queen Victoria did not have an official Private Secretary until she appointed General Charles Grey to the office in 1861. Lord Melbourne informally served as Private Secretary while he was Prime Minister from 1837 – 1840. Prince Albert then informally served as Private Secretary from 1840 until he died in 1861. The official position of Private Secretary came about because it was realized that the monarch required advice and support because the growth of the government had caused the government ministers to have insufficient time to provide daily advice and support. It was traditional for Queen Victoria’s Private Secretaries to be provided with homes at her various residences including apartments in the Norman Tower at Windsor Castle, apartments in St. James’s Palace in London, and Osborne Cottage on the grounds of Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

Arthur was born on June 18, 1849, one of nine children of Reverend John Frederick Bigge, Vicar of Stamfordham, and Caroline Mary Ellison. He attended the Rossall School in Lancashire before entering the Royal Military Academy Woolwich. While at Woolwich, Arthur was a classmate and became a close friend of Louis Napoleon, Prince Imperial, the only son of French Emperor Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie. His friendship and connection to the Prince Imperial would bring Arthur to royal service in the coming years. Arthur was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1869 and later served on the staff of Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood in the Zulu War of 1878-1879. After the death of the Prince Imperial in battle in June 1879, Arthur was summoned to Balmoral Castle to provide The Queen with the details of the Prince’s death. He also accompanied Empress Eugenie when she visited the site of her son’s death. According to Arthur himself, the kind words of Empress Eugenie to Queen Victoria led to his appointment to the Royal Household in 1880.

On February 10, 1881, Arthur married Constance Neville, the daughter of Rev. William Frederick Neville and Franny Grace Blackwood. The couple had three children:

  • The Hon. Victoria Bigge (1881) – married Captain Henry Robert Adeane (killed in World War I), had issue
  • The Hon. Margaret Bigge (1885) – unmarried
  • Lt. The Hon. John Bigge (1887) – unmarried, killed in action in World War I; served as a Page of Honour to both Queen Victoria and King Edward VII

Arthur’s grandson, Michael Adeane, served as Assistant Private Secretary (1952-1953) and Private Secretary (1954-1972) to Queen Elizabeth II and Michael’s son Edward Adeane also served extensively in the Royal Household. He was a Page of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II (1954-1956), Private Secretary and Treasurer to The Prince of Wales (1979-1985), Treasurer to The Princess of Wales (1981-1985), Private Secretary to The Princess of Wales (1984-1985) and Extra Equerry to The Prince of Wales (1985-2015).

Arthur’s service in the Royal Household began in 1880 when he was appointed Groom-in-Waiting, and then quickly named Assistant Private Secretary to Queen Victoria. Later that year, he was also appointed Assistant Keeper of the Privy Purse, serving until 1895. In May 1895, he succeeded Sir Henry Ponsonby as Private Secretary to Queen Victoria and served until her death in January 1901.

Arthur BIgge, Private Secretary, February 1901. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2911902

Following Queen Victoria’s death, Arthur was appointed as Private Secretary to the future King George V, whom he would serve for the next 31 years. He was officially the Private Secretary to The Duke of Cornwall and York (March-November 1901); Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales (November 1901-May 1910), and then Private Secretary to The King (June 1910-March 1931). During his service, he joined George on numerous trips and tours and became a close friend and advisor to the future King. He was involved with the decision to choose Windsor as the new name for the royal house during World War I the decision not to grant asylum to the Russian Imperial Family. His importance to the King was best described in the King’s own words following Arthur’s death – “He taught me how to be a king. He was the most loyal friend I have ever had.”

King George V in Buckingham Palace Gardens with Baron Stamfordham, June 1918. source: Royal Collection Trust RCIN 2108037

During his time in service, Sir Arthur received numerous orders and honours, including the Order of the Bath, Royal Victorian Order, Order of the Indian Empire, Order of the Star of India, Order of St. Michael and St. George, and the Imperial Service Order. He also received several foreign orders, including the French Legion of Honour, the Greek Order of the Redeemer and the Danish Order of the Dannebrog. In 1910, he was made a member of His Majesty’s Privy Council, and the following year, on July 10, 1911, he was created Baron Stamfordham in the County of Northumberland. As his son had predeceased him, the barony became extinct upon Arthur’s death.

On March 31, 1931, following several weeks of illness, Lord Stamfordham died at his apartments in St. James’s Palace in London, England. He was buried at Brompton Cemetery in London, England.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Recommended Book – Serving Queen Victoria: Life in the Royal Household by Kate Hubbard

Overview of the Peerage in The United Kingdom

by Scott Mehl
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

 

The Peerage is a complex system of hereditary and lifetime titles within the United Kingdom. Know as Peers of the Realm, holders of these peerages were entitled to seats in the House of Lords – one of the two houses of the British Parliament. The Peerage actually consists of five different peerages:

  • The Peerage of England – titles created in England before the Act of Union in 1707
  • The Peerage of Scotland – titles created in Scotland before the Act of Union in 1707
  • The Peerage of Ireland – titles created in Ireland before the Act of Union in 1801, and some created later
  • The Peerage of Great Britain – titles created in Great Britain between 1707 and 1801
  • The Peerage of the United Kingdom – titles created since the Act of Union in 1801

Within these five peerages, there are different titles, listed below by rank:

  • Duke (Duchess) – comes from the Latin word dux, meaning leader
  • Marquess (Marchioness) – comes from the French word, marquis (derived from marche), referring to the borders between England, Scotland and Wales
  • Earl (Countess) – comes from the Old English word, eorl, meaning a military leader
  • Viscount (Viscountess) – comes from the Latin word vicecomes, meaning a vice-count
  • Baron (Baroness) – comes from the Old Germanic word baro, meaning a freeman.
  • Lord of Parliament – title in the Scottish peerage, equivalent to Baron in the other peerages. It ceased to be granted following the Act of Union 1707. (In Scotland, a Baron is traditionally the holder of a feudal dignity, not a peer.)

There are a few other titles that, while considered part of the aristocracy, are not actually part of the peerage:

  • Baronet (Baronetess) – baronetcies are hereditary titles, but are not part of the peerage.
  • Knight/Dame – those who have been knighted by the Sovereign, either independently, or as a member of one of the Orders of Chivalry.

History of the Peerage system
The Peerage, as we know it today, grew out of the medieval baronage system which existed in feudal times. Barons, in those times, were responsible for raising troops for military service, and held land as a tenant-in-chief, in addition to attending Parliament. Over time, many of those ceased to be called to Parliament, making their baronies personal titles as opposed to territorial. The titles were hereditary, but only upon payment of a fee – called relief – by the new holder. The Tenures Abolition Act of 1660 eliminated this practice.

The first Duke was named in 1337, when Edward the Black Prince was created Duke of Cornwall by his father, King Edward III.

The first Marquess was named in 1385, when Richard de Vere, 9th Earl of Oxford was created Marquess of Dublin by King Richard II.

Earldoms existed prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066. But the first Earl named in the Peerage of England was in 1067, when Radulf Stalre (Ralph the Staller) was created Earl of East Anglia by King William I.

Viscountcies became a title in the peerage in 1440 when John Beaumont, 6th Baron Beaumont was created Viscount Beaumont by King Henry VI. Prior to then, Viscount was used as a judicial honorific, typically referring to a county sheriff.

Baronies – Barons first existed during the reign of King William I, who introduced the title to recognize those who had been loyal to him under the feudal system. They later became members of the King’s Council, a predecessor to the House of Lords.

Lords of Parliament have existed since the beginning of the Parliament of Scotland in the early 1200s.

Multiple Titles and Peerages
When a peerage is created, there is often more than one title granted. For example, when the Dukedom of Marlborough was created in 1702, John Churchill was created Duke of Marlborough and Marquess of Blandford, both in the Peerage of England. The Dukedom became his primary title, while the Marquessate became his most senior subsidiary title, in addition to several other titles he already held – Earl of Marlborough (England), Lord Churchill of Eyemouth (Scotland) and Baron Churchill of Sandridge (England).

There are also many peers who hold multiple titles in more than one peerage. For example, in 1675, King Charles II created his illegitimate son, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, Earl of March and Baron Settrington, in the Peerage of England. A month later, he was also created Duke of Lennox, Earl of Darnley and Lord Torbolton in the Peerage of Scotland. He was then styled as Duke of Richmond and Lennox. Two hundred years later, the 6th Duke of Richmond and Lennox was also created Duke of Gordon and Earl of Kinrara in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The current holder, Charles Gordon-Lennox, is one of only 5 people to hold more than one dukedom, and the only one to hold three.

Here’s a fun fact about multiple titles – there are currently 31 Dukes, and they hold nearly 200 titles!

  • 37 Dukedoms
  • 21 Marquessates
  • 57 Earldoms
  • 17 Viscountcies
  • 45 Baronies
  • 21 Lordships of Parliament
  • (and also 4 Baronetcies – a lesser title which is not considered part of the peerage)

Hereditary Peers vs Life Peers
Hereditary Peers are those whose titles are passed down to future generations. Traditionally, the succession is in the male line, passing from father to son, with only males eligible to assume the title. There are, however, several exceptions where the title has been granted with a special remainder allowing a daughter to succeed. This has typically only been done in cases where there are no sons to inherit. A notable example is The Earl Mountbatten of Burma. As he only had daughters, the Letters Patent creating his title included a special remainder allowing his daughters to succeed him, but then reverting to their male descendants. Hereditary Peerages continue to exist as long as there are legitimate surviving descendants to inherit, based on the succession defined in the Letters Patent creating the title. When there are no eligible heirs, the peerage becomes extinct (ceases to exist).

Life Peers are those who are given peerages for themselves only, for the duration of their life. Life Peers are typically given the rank of Baron or Baroness, with only a few notable exceptions. Legitimate children of a life peer are accorded the style ‘The Honourable’, but they are unable to inherit the peerage itself.

The House of Lords Act 1999 reformed the House of Lords, which until that time had been comprised of several hundred hereditary peers. The Act removed most of them, leaving just 92 hereditary peers (and an additional 10 who were created life peers to allow them to remain). The House of Lords now consists primarily of Life Peers.

Precedence
In the very complex order of precedence in the United Kingdom, peers are amongst the highest level, preceded only by The Royal Family, Archbishops and High Officers of State. Wives and children of peers are also accorded precedence, as are widows – who take precedence over their successors. Former spouses do not hold any precedence, unless specifically decreed by the Sovereign.  (See Wikipedia: Orders of Precedence in the United Kingdom for a full list of precedence for peers and their families.)

Robes and Coronets
There are two kinds of robes worn by peers:

Parliamentary Robes of a Viscount (Viscount Nuffield) photo: By Simon Q from United Kingdom – Nuffield Place, HuntercombeUploaded by tm, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24237688

Parliamentary Robes – worn at a member’s introduction to the House of Lords, and at the State Opening of Parliament. They may also be worn when specifically directed, such as the Investiture of the Prince of Wales. These are worn by all peers and peeresses in their own right, but not by wives of peers. They feature a full-length garment of scarlet wool with a collar of white miniver fur, closed at the front with black silk satin ribbon ties. Bars of miniver fur (edged with gold oak-leaf lace) on the right side of the robe indicate the rank of the wearer:

  • DUKE – 4 bars
  • MARQUESS – 3-½ bars
  • EARL – 3 bars
  • VISCOUNT – 2-½ bars
  • BARON/LORD OF PARLIAMENT – 2 bars

Embed from Getty Images

Coronation Robes – worn only at the Coronation of a new Sovereign. They consist of a cloak of crimson velvet extending to the floor, open in the front, with white silk satin ribbon ties and trailing behind. Attached is a cape and collar of miniver fur, with the wearers rank indicated by the number of rows of ermine tails on the cape:

  • DUKE – 4 rows
  • MARQUESS – 3-½ rows
  • EARL – 3 rows
  • VISCOUNT – 2-½ rows
  • BARON/LORD OF PARLIAMENT – 2 rows
    (NOTE: Royal Dukes have six rows of ermine, and additional rows on the collar and the front edges of the robe.)

For peeresses in their own right, and wives of peers, the Coronation robes are slightly different in design. They consist of a crimson velvet kirtle, edged in miniver fur, and worn over evening dress. The robe is attached at the shoulder, taking the form of a long train of matching crimson velvet, edged in miniver. At the top of the train is a miniver cape which has rows of ermine indicating their rank (same as those listed above). In addition, the length of the train is indicative of their rank:

  • DUCHESS – 2 yards
  • MARCHIONESS – 1-¾ yards
  • COUNTESS – 1-½ yards
  • VISCOUNTESS – 1-¼ yards
  • BARONESS – 1 yard

In addition to their Coronation Robes, peers are entitled to a coronet. This is worn only at a coronation, and typically is featured in the holder’s coat of arms. Coronets are worn by peers, peeresses in their own right, and wives of peers. They are comprised of a silver-gilt circlet, chased as though it is jeweled, but no actual gems are used. They feature different symbols based upon the wearer’s rank:

  • DUKE- features 8 strawberry leaves
  • MARQUESS – features 4 strawberry leaves and 4 pearls
  • EARL – features 8 strawberry leaves and 8 pearls raised on stalks
  • VISCOUNT – features 16 pearls, all touching each other
  • BARON/LORD OF PARLIAMENT – features 6 pearls

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.