What Do the Main Titles of The Royal Family Mean?
Find out how titles are organized and how they influence the lives of British royalty.
Kings, queens, earls, dukes, barons—the titles of members of the British royal family are organized through a hierarchy, which establishes the role of each noble along with their responsibility as representatives of the crown at events. The differences in rank are rooted in a long history of genetic lineage and land ownership, and each title denotes everything from a royal's power and responsibilities to how they should be referenced. Whereas a king and a queen will always be referred to as "Your Majesty," princes and princess go by "Your Highness," and dukes and duchesses go by "Your Grace."
In May 2023, when the late Queen's son King Charles III acceded to the throne, the children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Archie and Lilibet became entitled to the titles prince and princess to reflect their "birthright" status as the grandchildren of a monarch. However, their parents, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, are also the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, despite their leave from the royal family.
In case you find it all a bit confusing, L'OFFICIEL has compiled a list of the main titles, their meanings, and how they rank.
1. King / Queen
These titles correspond to the heads of state of the monarchy. The UK's parliamentary constitutional monarchy system does not allow them governmental power but places them as symbols of national unity. The line of succession to the throne follows the rule of heredity. The male gender is no longer a criterion for the occupation of this place since the law was sanctioned in 2011. After a reign of over 70 years, her son King Charles III was coronated on May 6, 2023.
2. Queen Consort
The law states that only men can give the title of consort to their wives, as a way of protecting the royal line. This is why Prince Philip did not become king, despite being married to Queen Elizabeth II. However, when King Charles III took the throne, he announced that his wife, Camilla, would take the title of Queen Consort.
3. Queen Mother
A queen mother is a former queen consort, typically the widow of a king, who is the mother of the reigning monarch. However, the Queen Mother often specifically refers to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, who used the title as the mother of Queen Elizabeth II.
4. Prince / Princess of Wales
Prince of Wales is the title always granted by the monarch to their eldest son, recognized as heir to the throne. Wives are recognized as Princesses of Wales through marriage. When King Charles was still Prince of Wales, Camilla did not use the title out of respect for Princess Diana, for whom the honor was maintained even after her separation from Charles. Now, the Prince and Princess of Wales titles have been passed down to Prince William and Kate.
5. Prince / Princess
This title is given to sons and grandsons of all reigning and previous British monarchs, granted by the current monarch. In a 2012 charter, Queen Elizabeth II declared that all the children of the Duke of Cambridge were to be known as princes and princesses. After months of speculation, the royal website updated the titles of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's children, promoting them to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. In a statement, the couple wrote, "The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch," before adding, "This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace." The late Princess Diana is still referred to as 'the people's princess' even after her death over 25 years ago.
6. Duke / Duchess
Among the five echelons of the nobility, which also include the titles of marquis, earl, viscount, and baron, the highest is the title of Duke, which can be inherited paternally or given by the reigning monarch. Prince William and Prince Harry were named by Queen Elizabeth II as Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex, respectively, shortly after their weddings. Princess Charlotte, daughter of Prince William and Princess Kate, will be given the title of duchess if she decides to marry a duke.
7. Marquess / Marchioness / Marquise
A marquess is a nobleman of high ranking who is often not of royal blood but promoted by a king or queen. A noblewoman of equal ranking would be called a marchioness or a marquise. In the past, a marquess or marchioness typically had land at the edge of a county, which was run by a count, and was responsible for defense, meaning to a higher ranking. A well-known marchioness is Sarah Rose Hanbury, the wife of marquess David Cholmondeley.
8. Earl / Countess
This title, of middle nobility, is granted to advisors and friends of the king. Historically it was given to those who were the principal figures of their counties. It is also a title that can be inherited.
9. Viscount / Viscountess
They replace the earls in case of absence. Since the 10th century, the title has been granted to the children of earls. This is the case for James, Viscount de Severn, son of Prince Edward—also Earl of Wessex. As a monarch's grandson, James could also be a Prince, however, his parents asked for approval from Queen Elizabeth II so that he could receive the title of the son of an Earl.
10. Lord / Lady
Lordship/Ladyship is not a title of nobility, but rather it is a courtesy title that is used in reference to specific members of the peerage, such as barons, viscounts, or earls. Within the context of the British royal family today, the title of Lord or Lady simply acknowledges an individual as a peer of the realm. Lady Amelia Spencer, daughter of the Earl of Spencer and niece of the late Princess Diana, is a member of the next generation of the family's dynasty, even though her title includes no significant power.
11. Baron / Baroness
Member of the peerage, a baron or baroness ranks higher than a lord or a lady, but lower than a viscount or a count. The title of baron or baroness is passed down or bestowed upon by a member of authority, meaning one does not need to be born into nobility to obtain the title. If approved by King Charles III, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom can name someone a baron or baroness, and it is the lowest ranking of the peerage.
12. Sir
In the British royal family, the title Sir is used subsequently when addressing male members of the royal family, following "Your Royal Highness." However, Sir is also the title given to Knights, like Sir Elton John.
13. Dame
In the United Kingdom, the title of Dame is given to a woman equivalent to the rank of knighthood. The origin of the word denotes a "noble lady," meaning the title is given to women of the United Kingdom who have performed honorable actions and are deserving of a respectable title, as in Dame Judi Dench. Dame and Lady are equivalent in ranking.
14. Lady-In-Waiting
A lady-in-waiting is more a role than an official title associated with power. The name denotes a noblewoman of lower rank who assists a queen, a princess, or another noblewoman of higher ranking with her daily duties. Historically, ladies-in-waiting were responsible for waking up, dressing, and assisting their assigned royal in her courtly activities, and many female regents, from Princess Diana to Queen Camilla, have had them. Nowadays, though, they mostly help manage communications and provide companionship for royalty.
