Order of precedence in Scotland
The order of precedence in Scotland was fixed by Royal Warrant in 1905.[1] Amendments were made by further Warrants in 1912,[2] 1952, 1958,[3] 1999 to coincide with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government and most recently in 2012.[4][5]
The relative precedence of peers of Scotland is determined by the Act of Union 1707.
Gentlemen
[edit]Royalty, high officials, et al.
[edit]Royal family
[edit]Precedence is accorded to spouses, children and grandchildren of the reigning sovereign, as well as children and grandchildren of former sovereigns.
Position | Holder | Ref |
---|---|---|
The sovereign (regardless of gender) | ![]() | |
The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (only while the Assembly is meeting, during which he is treated as a regent and addressed as 'Your Grace') | ![]() | |
Sons of the sovereign | ![]() |
[6] |
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Grandsons of the sovereign | ![]() |
[7][nb 1] |
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Brothers of the sovereign | ![]() |
[6][9] |
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Uncles of the sovereign | none at present | [6] |
Nephews of the sovereign | ![]() |
[6] |
Mr Peter Phillips | ||
Grandsons of former sovereigns who are dukes |
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[9][nb 2] |
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Grandsons of former sovereigns who are not dukes |
The Rt Hon. The Earl of Snowdon | |
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High Officers of State, et al.
[edit]Title | Holder | Ref |
---|---|---|
The Lord-Lieutenants | see list below | [12][1][5] |
The Sheriffs Principal | see list here | [1][5] |
The Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain | office held by a woman | [1] |
The Moderator of the General Assembly | Shaw Patterson | [13] |
The Prime Minister | The Rt Hon. Sir Keir Starmer | |
The Keeper of the Great Seal (First Minister) | The Rt Hon. John Swinney | [14][5][15] |
The Presiding Officer | office held by a woman | [5] |
The Secretary of State | The Rt Hon. Ian Murray | |
The Lord High Constable | The Rt Hon. The Earl of Erroll | [1] |
The Master of the Household | HG The Duke of Argyll | [1] |
Nobility, et al.
[edit]Dukes, et al.
[edit]Note | Ref | |
---|---|---|
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Ordered according to date of creation | [1] |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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HG The Duke of Leinster | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
Eldest sons of royal dukes who are not already ranked higher |
Earl of Ulster (son of the Duke of Gloucester) Earl of St Andrews (son of the Duke of Kent) |
Marquesses, et al.
[edit]Note | Ref | |
---|---|---|
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The Most Hon. The Marquess of Winchester | [1] |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
Eldest sons of dukes according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
Earls, et al.
[edit]Note | Ref | |
---|---|---|
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Ordered according to date of creation | [1] |
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Ordered according to the Decreet of Ranking of 1606 according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
Younger sons of royal dukes who are not already ranked higher |
Lord Nicholas Windsor (second son of the Duke of Kent) | |
Eldest sons of marquesses according to the precedence of the peerage holders | ||
Younger sons of dukes according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
Judiciary, et al.
[edit]- Lord Justice General (The Rt Hon. Lord Carloway)[1]
- Lord Clerk Register (office held by a woman)[1]
- Lord Advocate (office held by a woman)[1]
- Advocate General for Scotland (office held by a woman)
- Lord Justice Clerk (office held by a woman)[1]
- Viscounts
- Eldest sons of earls[1]
- Lord Frederick Windsor (only son of Prince Michael of Kent)
- Younger sons of marquesses[1]
Viscounts, et al.
[edit]Note | Ref | |
---|---|---|
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The Rt Hon. The Viscount Hereford | [1] |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
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Ordered according to date of creation | |
Eldest sons of earls according to the precedence of the peerage holders | ||
Younger sons of marquesses ordered according to the precedence of the peerage holders |
- Barons and Lords of Parliament[1]
- Eldest sons of viscounts[1]
- Younger sons of earls[1]
- Eldest sons of barons[1]
- Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter[1]
- Knights of the Order of the Thistle[5]
- Privy Counsellors[1]
- Senators of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court[1]
- Younger sons of viscounts[1]
- Younger sons of barons[1]
- Sons of law life peers[1]
- Baronets[1]
- Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)[1]
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath[1]
- Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)[1]
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George[1]
- Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)[1]
- Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order[1]
- Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath[1]
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)[1]
- Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George[1]
- Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)[1]
- Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order[1]
- Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Ruth Charteris – see Order of Precedence for Ladies below)[1]
- Lord Lyon King of Arms (The Revd Canon Joseph Morrow)[1]
- Scottish Barons[16]
- Sheriffs-Principal[1]
- Knights Bachelor[1]
- Sheriffs[1] as amended by[5]
- Companions of the Order of the Bath[1]
- Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)[1]
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George[1]
- Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)[1]
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Companions of the Distinguished Service Order[1]
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Eldest sons of younger sons of peers[1]
- Eldest sons of baronets[1]
- Eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter[1]
- Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle[1]
- Eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)[1]
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Younger sons of baronets[1]
- Younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- King's Counsel[1] as amended by[5]
- Esquires[1]
- Gentlemen[1]
Ladies
[edit]Royal Family
[edit]The order of precedence accorded to women of the royal family:
Position | Holder |
---|---|
Consort of the sovereign | ![]() |
Daughters-in-law of the sovereign | ![]() |
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Daughters of the sovereign | none at present |
Wives of grandsons of the sovereign | none at present |
Granddaughters of the sovereign | ![]() |
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Sisters-in-law of the sovereign | ![]() |
Sisters of the sovereign | ![]() |
Wives of uncles of the sovereign | none at present |
Aunts of the sovereign | none at present |
Wives of nephews of the sovereign | none at present |
Nieces of the sovereign | ![]() |
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Mrs Zara Tindall | |
Wives of grandsons of former sovereigns who are dukes |
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Wives of grandsons of former sovereigns who are not dukes |
The Rt Hon. The Countess of Snowdon |
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Granddaughters of former sovereigns | Lady Sarah Chatto |
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- Lord-Lieutenants (see list below)
- Sheriffs-Principal (during term of office and with bounds of Sheriffdom)
- Commonwealth Prime Ministers, while visiting the UK, in order of appointment[dubious – discuss]
- Ambassadors of foreign countries and High Commissioners of Commonwealth countries according to date of arrival[dubious – discuss]
- Duchesses
- Countess of Ulster, wife of Earl of Ulster
- Countess of St Andrews, wife of Earl of St Andrews
- Lady Davina Windsor, elder daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
- Lady Rose Gilman, younger daughter of the Duke of Gloucester
- Lady Helen Taylor, only daughter of the Duke of Kent
- Marchionesses
- Wives of dukes' eldest sons
- Daughters of dukes not married to peers
- Countesses
- Lady Nicholas Windsor, wife of Lord Nicholas Windsor
- Wives of marquesses' eldest sons
- Lady Gabriella Kingston, only daughter of Prince Michael of Kent
- Marquesses' daughters not married to peers
- Wives of dukes' younger sons
- Viscountesses
- Wives of eldest sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
- Earls' daughters not married to peers
- Lady Frederick Windsor, wife of Lord Frederick Windsor
- Wives of marquesses' younger sons
- Baronesses, wives of Lords of Parliament and female holders of Lordships of Parliament
- Wives of viscounts' eldest sons
- Viscounts' daughters not married to peers
- Wives of younger sons of earls or of countesses in their own right
- Wives of eldest sons of barons or baronesses
- Daughters of barons or baronesses
- Ladies Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Ladies of the Order of the Thistle
- Wives of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter (all rank higher, except)
- June, Lady Hillary
- Jennifer, Lady Acland
- Dame Norma, Lady Major
- Cherie, Lady Blair
- Wives of Knights of the Order of the Thistle (all rank higher, except)
- Wives of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Privy Counsellors
- Senators of the College of Justice
- Wives of viscounts' younger sons
- Wives of younger sons of barons or baronesses
- Wives of baronets
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Dames Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Dames Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Dames Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Dames Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Dames Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Solicitor General for Scotland (Ruth Charteris)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of Companions of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Companions of the Distinguished Service Order
- Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Lieutenants of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Officers of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Senators of the College of Justice
- Wives of Knights Bachelor
- Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Wives of Companions of the Imperial Service Order
- Wives of the eldest sons of sons of peers
- Daughters of sons of peers
- Wives of the eldest sons of baronets
- Daughters of baronets
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of eldest sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Daughters of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Daughters of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Daughters of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Daughters of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Daughters of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
- Daughters of Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of Members of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of Members of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of younger sons of baronets
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Companion of the Order of the Garter
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of the Thistle
- Wives of younger sons of Knights of the Order of St Patrick (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Star of India (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (none, order dormant)
- Wives of younger sons of Knights Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Local precedence
[edit]- Lord-Lieutenants of the lieutenancy areas (the Lord Provost is Lord Lieutenant in the four largest cities):
- The Lord Provost of Aberdeen (Dr David Cameron)
- Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire (Sandy Manson)
- Lord Lieutenant of Angus (Patricia Ann Sawers)
- Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute (Jane Margaret MacLeod )[18]
- Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire and Arran (Iona McDonald)
- Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire (Andrew Simpson)
- Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire (Jeanna Swan)
- Lord Lieutenant of Caithness (The Rt Hon. The Viscount Thurso)
- Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire (Johnny Stewart)
- Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries (Fiona Armstrong)
- Lord Lieutenant of Dunbartonshire (Jill Williamina Young)[19]
- The Lord Provost of Dundee (Bill Campbell)[20]
- Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian (Roderick Urquhart)
- The Lord Provost of Edinburgh (Robert Aldridge)[21]
- Lord Lieutenant of Fife (Robert William Balfour)
- The Lord Provost of Glasgow (Jacqueline McLaren)[22]
- Lord Lieutenant of Inverness (James Wotherspoon)
- Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire (Alastair Macphie)
- Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire (The Rt Hon. The Lady Haughey)
- Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian (Richard Callander)
- Lord Lieutenant of Moray (Major-General Seymour Monro)
- Lord Lieutenant of Nairn (George Russell Asher)
- Lord Lieutenant of Orkney (Elaine Grieve)
- Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross (Stephen Leckie)
- Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire (Colonel Peter McCarthy)
- Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty (Joanie Whiteford)
- Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale (HG The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensbury)
- Lord Lieutenant of Shetland (Lindsay Tulloch)
- Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk (Alan Simpson)
- Lord Lieutenant of Sutherland (Major-General Patrick Marriott)
- Lord Lieutenant of The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (The Rt Hon. The Lord Sinclair)
- Lord Lieutenant of Tweeddale (The Much Hon. Lady of Traquair)
- Lord Lieutenant of the Western Isles (Iain Macaulay)
- Lord Lieutenant of West Lothian (Moria Niven)
- Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown (Aileen Brewis)
- The Provost
- The Deputy Provost
- Justices of the peace
- The Chief Constable
Notes
[edit]- ^ "From [1726] onwards it has been the settled practice to place the male members of the Royal Family in the following order: the Sovereign's son, grandsons, brothers, uncles and nephews"[8]
- ^ "in the outcome [in 1850] The Duke of Cambridge was not only placed in Garter's Roll above all the other dukes, but also above the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chancellor, despite his not falling within the ambit of s. 4 of the Act of 1539. This precedent has been followed in all subsequent similar cases."[11]
16. The scales annexed to the royal warrant of 1905, unfortunately, are not exhaustive of all rights of precedence, and appear to have been drawn up without a proper consideration of the Scots law of precedence. Where a person has been omitted from the scales, but has an undoubted precedence by the law of Scotland (such as barons, ambassadors and Irish peers created prior to 1801), the Lord Lyon, in seeing that the warrant is observed and kept, has a duty to give that person an appropriate place in the order of precedence on the appropriate occasion"
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be "No. 27774". The London Gazette. 14 March 1905. p. 2012.
- ^ "No. 28600". The London Gazette. 19 April 1912. p. 2787.
- ^ "No. 17630". The Edinburgh Gazette. 25 July 1958. p. 425.
- ^ "Table of Precedence, Ladies in Scotland - Debrett's Forms of Address, Scottish Women". 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Burke's Peerage - Article Library". 24 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d House of Lords Precedence Act 1539–House of Lords Precedence Act (31 Hen. 8. c. 10), Section 4
- ^ Ordered according to the rules of primogeniture
- ^ Squibb, G.D. (1981). "General Precedence among Men since 1534". Order of Precedence in England and Wales. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 28.
- ^ a b "Order of Precedence in England and Wales". Heraldica. 2001. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
- ^ Legally HRH Prince James of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's son per his parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- ^ Squibb, G.D. (1981). "General Precedence among Men since 1534". Order of Precedence in England and Wales. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press. p. 29.
- ^ during term of office and within bounds of counties and cities
- ^ "The current Moderator". 24 May 2022.
- ^ Scotland Act 1998, Section 45(7)
- ^ Ex officio held by the First Minister of Scotland since 1999
- ^ Stair Memorial Encyclopedia,vol.16,2013
- ^ Legally HRH Princess Louise of Edinburgh according to the 1917 Letters Patent as a male-line grandchild of a monarch, but styled as the duke's daughter per her parents' wishes on their wedding day and the will of the Queen.
- ^ "Lord-Lieutenant for Argyll and Bute: 14 July 2020". gov.uk. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
- ^ "Lord-Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire: 12 August 2020". gov.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
- ^ Lord Provost of Dundee
- ^ Edinburgh appoints new Lord Provost
- ^ New Lord Provost of Glasgow announced