Duke is the highest of the five grades of the peerage. For guidance on how to address the three royal dukes (York, Gloucester and Kent) see Other Royals section).Duke is the highest of the five ranks of the peerage, standing above the ranks of marquess, earl, viscount and baron.
The title duke is derived from the Latin dux, a leader. The title originally signified Sovereign status, for example William the Conqueror was Duke of Normandy, and it was not adopted as a peerage title until 1337, when King Edward III conferred the Dukedom of Cornwall upon his eldest son, the Black Prince.
Dukedoms were created in Parliament by the fastening of a ceremonial sword to a belt or girdle (cincture). This ceremony was traditionally used until 1615, when it was replaced by the conferring of letters patent under the Great Seal (peerage patents are always created by letters patent under the Great Seal, which represents the Sovereign's authority).
The first subject to receive a dukedom who was not a member of the royal family, nor one nearly related, was Sir William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, who was created Duke of Suffolk in 1448. A Prince of the Royal Blood is usually created a duke either shortly after coming of age or upon his marriage. The Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, was created Duke of York upon his marriage in 1986.
The Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, broke with royal tradition when he chose the title of Earl of Wessex upon his marriage in 1999. Buckingham Palace announced that the Earl of Wessex will be granted the dukedom of Edinburgh when the title reverts to The Crown (the title will only revert to The Crown on both the death of the current Duke of Edinburgh, and the succession of the Prince of Wales to the throne). The other royal dukes are The Queen's first cousins, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent (both grandsons of King George V).
The first subject to receive a dukedom who was not a member of the royal family, nor one nearly related, was Sir William de la Pole, Marquess of Suffolk, who was created Duke of Suffolk in 1448. A Prince of the Royal Blood is usually created a duke either shortly after coming of age or upon his marriage. The Queen's second son, Prince Andrew, was created Duke of York upon his marriage in 1986.
The Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, broke with royal tradition when he chose the title of Earl of Wessex upon his marriage in 1999. Buckingham Palace announced that the Earl of Wessex will be granted the dukedom of Edinburgh when the title reverts to The Crown (the title will only revert to The Crown on both the death of the current Duke of Edinburgh, and the succession of the Prince of Wales to the throne). The other royal dukes are The Queen's first cousins, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent (both grandsons of King George V).
At present there are 24 dukes (not including royal dukes). The premier duke and earl of England is the Duke of Norfolk. His ancestor John Howard was created Duke of Norfolk in 1483, but because he inherited his dukedom through his mother, Margaret Mowbray, the duke's precedence (ie his seniority in terms of the antiquity of his title) is dated 1397, which is when Margaret Mowbray's father was created Duke of Norfolk.
The premier peer of Scotland is the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon (created 1643). The premier duke, marquess and earl of Ireland is the Duke of Leinster (created 1766). The most recent (non-royal) dukedom to be created is Westminster in 1874.
Since 1989 only one dukedom has become extinct, Portland (in 1990), but the Earldom of Portland continues and is currently held by Timothy Bentinck, who plays David Archer in BBC Radio 4's drama series 'The Archers'
A duke is always so described, unlike the lower ranks of the peerage. If reference is made to only one duke he may be called 'the Duke' but if distinction is necessary, or on introduction, he should be referred to as 'the Duke of …..'.
Ecclesiastical, ambassadorial and armed forces ranks precede the ducal rank. For example, Major-General the Duke of …..'.
When a duke is also a privy counsellor or has received a knighthood he may use the appropriate post-nominal letters.
The wife of a duke is always described as the Duchess, or the Duchess of ….. if distinction is required or on introduction.
In official documents the style of The Most Noble ….. should still be used for both a duke and duchess.
How to address a Duke and DuchessThe recommended (social) style of address for all non-royal dukes is as follows:
Beginning of letter: Dear Duke/Duchess
End of letter: Yours sincerely
Envelope :The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Verbal Communication: Duke/Duchess
Invitation* & joint form of address: The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk
Description in conversation: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
List of Directors or Patrons: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Place Card: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Legal document: The Most Noble Edward William Duke of Norfolk, The Most Noble Georgina Susan Duchess of Norfolk
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Widow of the Duke
Officially the widow of a duke is known as 'The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk' (unless there is already a dowager duchess in that family still living in which case the widow of the junior duke is known by her forename, eg Anne, Duchess of Norfolk).
In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager'. If in doubt, use of the forename is recommended.
If the present holder of the dukedom is unmarried, the widow of the previous duke does not use the term of either The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, or Anne, Duchess of Norfolk, but continues to be known as The Duchess of Norfolk.
How to address the Widow of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Duchess
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Verbal communication Duchess
Invitation The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Description in conversation The Duchess of Norfolk
List of Directors or Patrons The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Place card The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Legal document The Most Noble Anne Mary Teresa Duchess of Norfolk
Former wife of Duke
If a marriage between a duke and duchess has been dissolved, the former wife (although no longer a peeress) may continue to use her title as a duke's wife, preceded by her forename (unless she remarries*).
How to address the Former Wife of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Duchess
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Verbal communication Duchess
Invitation Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Description in conversation The Duchess of Hamilton
List of Directors or Patrons Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Place card Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Legal document Jillian Duchess of Hamilton
*If the former wife of a duke subsequently remarries she adopts her style of address from her present husband. Thus if Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton, marries Mr Cuthbert Robinson she becomes Mrs Cuthbert Robinson.
Sons of a Duke
Eldest Son of a DukeThe eldest (or only) son of a duke will use one of his father's lesser peerage titles. For example, the son and heir apparent of the Duke of Rutland is known as the Marquess of Granby and the appropriate forms of address for a Marquess by courtesy therefore apply to him and his family.
If the duke is of the peerage of Scotland please refer to Scottish Title of Master
See Peerages by Courtesy
Younger Sons of a DukeThe younger sons of a duke have the courtesy title of 'Lord' before their forename and surname.
Prefixes such as His Excellency, Major General, The Rt Rev, The Rt Hon etc. precede his courtesy title.
How to address the Younger Son of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lord Edward
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Verbal communication Lord Edward
Invitation* Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Description in conversation Lord Edward
List of Directors or Patrons Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Place card Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Legal document Edward Fitzgerald commonly called Lord Edward Fitzgerald
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Wife of the Younger Son of a DukeThe wife of the younger son of a duke has the courtesy title of 'Lady' followed by her husband's forename and surname (unless herself the daughter of a duke or marquess *).
How to address the Wife of a Younger Son of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lady Edward
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Verbal address Lady Edward
Invitation Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Description in conversation Lady Edward
List of Directors or Patrons Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Place card Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Legal document Helen Fitzgerald commonly called Lady Edward Fitzgerald
*If she is the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl, she may continue to use her own title instead of that of her husband. This style should only be used if it known to be the preferred form of address.
Widow of the Younger Son of a Duke
Her style in widowhood does not change, except on remarriage, when she adopts the style from her new husband.
Daughters of a Duke
A daughter of a duke has the style of 'Lady' before her forename and surname, eg the elder daughter of the Duke of Norfolk is Lady Rachel Fitzalan Howard.
On marriage she continues to use the same style, with her husband's surname, ie when Lady Rose FitzRoy married Mr Guy Monson, she became Lady Rose Monson.
Should she marry a peer she adopts his title.
How to address the Daughters of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lady Rose
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lady Rose Monson
Joint form of address Mr Guy and Lady Rose Monson
Verbal communication Lady Rose (on introduction, Lady Rose Monson)
Invitation Lady Rose Monson
Invitation* to husband & wife Mr Guy and Lady Rose Monson
Description in conversation Lady Rose
List of Directors or Patrons Lady Rose Monson
Place card Lady Rose Monson
Legal document Olivia Rose Mildred Monson commonly called Lady Rose Monson
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Exceptions
If she marries a courtesy peer, and the precedence she derives from this is lower than that she derives from her father, she has the option of:
(a) adopting the usual style of the wife of a courtesy peer, eg Countess of Twickenham, or
(b) continuing her own style followed by the courtesy title, eg Lady Mary Twickenham.
In practice very few ladies now adopt course (b) unless the marriage has been dissolved.
If the daughter of a duke marries the younger son of a duke or marquess, again she has the option of:
(a) adopting the usual style of the wife of a younger son of a duke or marquess, eg Lady Charles Manners, or
(b) continuing her own style followed by her surname, eg Lady Mary Manners
The premier peer of Scotland is the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon (created 1643). The premier duke, marquess and earl of Ireland is the Duke of Leinster (created 1766). The most recent (non-royal) dukedom to be created is Westminster in 1874.
Since 1989 only one dukedom has become extinct, Portland (in 1990), but the Earldom of Portland continues and is currently held by Timothy Bentinck, who plays David Archer in BBC Radio 4's drama series 'The Archers'
A duke is always so described, unlike the lower ranks of the peerage. If reference is made to only one duke he may be called 'the Duke' but if distinction is necessary, or on introduction, he should be referred to as 'the Duke of …..'.
Ecclesiastical, ambassadorial and armed forces ranks precede the ducal rank. For example, Major-General the Duke of …..'.
When a duke is also a privy counsellor or has received a knighthood he may use the appropriate post-nominal letters.
The wife of a duke is always described as the Duchess, or the Duchess of ….. if distinction is required or on introduction.
In official documents the style of The Most Noble ….. should still be used for both a duke and duchess.
How to address a Duke and DuchessThe recommended (social) style of address for all non-royal dukes is as follows:
Beginning of letter: Dear Duke/Duchess
End of letter: Yours sincerely
Envelope :The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Verbal Communication: Duke/Duchess
Invitation* & joint form of address: The Duke and Duchess of Norfolk
Description in conversation: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
List of Directors or Patrons: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Place Card: The Duke/Duchess of Norfolk
Legal document: The Most Noble Edward William Duke of Norfolk, The Most Noble Georgina Susan Duchess of Norfolk
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Widow of the Duke
Officially the widow of a duke is known as 'The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk' (unless there is already a dowager duchess in that family still living in which case the widow of the junior duke is known by her forename, eg Anne, Duchess of Norfolk).
In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager'. If in doubt, use of the forename is recommended.
If the present holder of the dukedom is unmarried, the widow of the previous duke does not use the term of either The Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, or Anne, Duchess of Norfolk, but continues to be known as The Duchess of Norfolk.
How to address the Widow of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Duchess
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Verbal communication Duchess
Invitation The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Description in conversation The Duchess of Norfolk
List of Directors or Patrons The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Place card The Dowager (or Anne) Duchess of Norfolk
Legal document The Most Noble Anne Mary Teresa Duchess of Norfolk
Former wife of Duke
If a marriage between a duke and duchess has been dissolved, the former wife (although no longer a peeress) may continue to use her title as a duke's wife, preceded by her forename (unless she remarries*).
How to address the Former Wife of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Duchess
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Verbal communication Duchess
Invitation Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Description in conversation The Duchess of Hamilton
List of Directors or Patrons Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Place card Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton
Legal document Jillian Duchess of Hamilton
*If the former wife of a duke subsequently remarries she adopts her style of address from her present husband. Thus if Jillian, Duchess of Hamilton, marries Mr Cuthbert Robinson she becomes Mrs Cuthbert Robinson.
Sons of a Duke
Eldest Son of a DukeThe eldest (or only) son of a duke will use one of his father's lesser peerage titles. For example, the son and heir apparent of the Duke of Rutland is known as the Marquess of Granby and the appropriate forms of address for a Marquess by courtesy therefore apply to him and his family.
If the duke is of the peerage of Scotland please refer to Scottish Title of Master
See Peerages by Courtesy
Younger Sons of a DukeThe younger sons of a duke have the courtesy title of 'Lord' before their forename and surname.
Prefixes such as His Excellency, Major General, The Rt Rev, The Rt Hon etc. precede his courtesy title.
How to address the Younger Son of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lord Edward
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Verbal communication Lord Edward
Invitation* Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Description in conversation Lord Edward
List of Directors or Patrons Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Place card Lord Edward Fitzgerald
Legal document Edward Fitzgerald commonly called Lord Edward Fitzgerald
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Wife of the Younger Son of a DukeThe wife of the younger son of a duke has the courtesy title of 'Lady' followed by her husband's forename and surname (unless herself the daughter of a duke or marquess *).
How to address the Wife of a Younger Son of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lady Edward
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Verbal address Lady Edward
Invitation Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Description in conversation Lady Edward
List of Directors or Patrons Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Place card Lady Edward Fitzgerald
Legal document Helen Fitzgerald commonly called Lady Edward Fitzgerald
*If she is the daughter of a duke, marquess or earl, she may continue to use her own title instead of that of her husband. This style should only be used if it known to be the preferred form of address.
Widow of the Younger Son of a Duke
Her style in widowhood does not change, except on remarriage, when she adopts the style from her new husband.
Daughters of a Duke
A daughter of a duke has the style of 'Lady' before her forename and surname, eg the elder daughter of the Duke of Norfolk is Lady Rachel Fitzalan Howard.
On marriage she continues to use the same style, with her husband's surname, ie when Lady Rose FitzRoy married Mr Guy Monson, she became Lady Rose Monson.
Should she marry a peer she adopts his title.
How to address the Daughters of a DukeThe recommended (social) style of address is as follows:
Beginning of letter Dear Lady Rose
End of letter Yours sincerely
Envelope Lady Rose Monson
Joint form of address Mr Guy and Lady Rose Monson
Verbal communication Lady Rose (on introduction, Lady Rose Monson)
Invitation Lady Rose Monson
Invitation* to husband & wife Mr Guy and Lady Rose Monson
Description in conversation Lady Rose
List of Directors or Patrons Lady Rose Monson
Place card Lady Rose Monson
Legal document Olivia Rose Mildred Monson commonly called Lady Rose Monson
*Note that, traditionally, invitations to a married couple, when sent to their home address, are addressed to the wife alone, with both names being inscribed on the invitation card. It has become increasingly acceptable, however, to address the envelope with both names.
Exceptions
If she marries a courtesy peer, and the precedence she derives from this is lower than that she derives from her father, she has the option of:
(a) adopting the usual style of the wife of a courtesy peer, eg Countess of Twickenham, or
(b) continuing her own style followed by the courtesy title, eg Lady Mary Twickenham.
In practice very few ladies now adopt course (b) unless the marriage has been dissolved.
If the daughter of a duke marries the younger son of a duke or marquess, again she has the option of:
(a) adopting the usual style of the wife of a younger son of a duke or marquess, eg Lady Charles Manners, or
(b) continuing her own style followed by her surname, eg Lady Mary Manners
