What's in a name?
By Gary Marsh
@garymarsh6 (23393)
United Kingdom
July 27, 2016 2:30pm CST
In my previous post @vandana7 asked why an Earls wife is called a countess. Throughout Europe members of the Royal families are known by certain titles such as Count, Duke, Duc, Dauphin, Prince, Countess Compte. Etc etc
I will try to explain the order or Rank of British Royal titles.
King - Queen.
Prince - Princess
Duke - Duchess
Marquess -Marchioness.
Earl - Countess. ( So @vandana7 an Earl is the equivalent of a Count or Comte in Europe there is no equivalent for Earl for example Earless)
Viscount - Viscountess.
Baron- Baroness (Maybe addressed as Lord or Lady)
Baronets With the title Sir or Dame. (A knighthood)
Esquire
Gentleman
Usually the Monarch can bestow a gift on a citizen of the United Kingdom as a personal gift. In the past this may or may not have included a parcel of land or an estate. Some of these titles were hereditary which means that they can be passed on to the offspring of the Duke or Lord or whoever. There are some titles that are not hereditary. Most titles such as a knighthood are recommendations to the monarch by the government.
A King. He may have a Queen.
A Queen would not have a King as a husband but he would be either a Prince and given the title Duke for example Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh. Queen Victoria’s husband Was Prince Albert Prince Consort.
On coming of age or other such occasion like a marriage the Queen gave other titles to her male children.
Prince Charles became Prince of Wales. Duke of Cornwall
Prince Andrew became Duke of York.
Prince Edward became Earl of Wessex
Princess Ann became the Princess Royal. A personal gift to the Princess.
It can be quite complicated but the above is a simplified account of British titles.
One of the highest ranking positions is the Earl Marshall currently the Duke of Norfolk. His family seat is Arundel castle in Sussex. It is his job to ensure that big state occasions run like clockwork for example The State opening of Parliament or organising a state funeral and Coronations. He would ensure that the invitations were sent out to the right people and in order of rank. It would be his job to manage the whole affair ensuring that every single detail is followed to the letter.
The title was created by King John II for Thomas Mowbray. All the Dukes of Norfolk can be traced back to King Edward I.
I hope that this has made it clear in some way. It can be quite complicated the more you look into it.
23 people like this
22 responses
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 16
Yes true and how would they keep their spectacles on?
1 person likes this
@egdcltd (12060)
•
27 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 One problem Norfolk has had has been remaining Catholic.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 16
There have always been funny goings on depending on who was flavour of the month I guess!
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17714)
• South Africa
27 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 there you have it - I was hoping you would have included it in your "personal gift" column
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 16
Ha ha I know I told my daughter once I may treat you and call you Princess but never be under any illusion that you are one now go wash your cup up! LOL
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
27 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 With the rest oftheBritish population boasting titles.
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@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 16
@Asylum that's you and me both then!
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
31 Jul 16
I enjoyed reading that.. I followed the Royals because of Princess Diana .. But she's gone now
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 16
That's why I love this site so much we all learn from each other!
@Marilynda1225 (79232)
• United States
27 Jul 16
Although it's a bit complicated it certainly is interesting and you made it easier to understand
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 16
I hope it made it a little clearer as so many people get confused about it. Even here English people get it wrong!
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
4 Sep 16
A Duke is of a much higher rank than an Earl in the great scheme of Royal titles.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (203765)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 Sep 16
@garymarsh6 If they can be siblings, what entitles one to be Duke, rather than Earl?
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 16
I don't think I would like his job one little bit.
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@JudyEv (323748)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jul 16
@garymarsh6 All the heirarchy of it - and this one probably doesn't talk to that one, etc.
@Mike197602 (15489)
• United Kingdom
27 Jul 16
I've looked at the ranks list a lot
I think I get it now and would probably be able to list them in order if asked.
Weird that back in the day the class system was based on titles and such whereas now even the US claims to have an upper class but they have no titled aristocracy
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
28 Jul 16
These days it is less important but it can open doors for you!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16499)
• China
28 Jul 16
Thank you for sharing it with us!Now I get an idea of what a monarchic government is like,which is rigidly stratified.
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@arthurchappell (45004)
• Preston, England
30 Jul 16
Earless just sounds like a a woman without ears - Countess makes more sense gramatically
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