Is Dame the equivalent of Sir?

The equivalent for a female who holds a knighthood or baronetcy in her own right is 'Dame', and follows the same usage customs as 'Sir'.

What is Dame the equivalent of?

dame, properly a name of respect or a title equivalent to lady, surviving in English as the legal designation for the wife or widow of a baronet or knight or for a dame of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; it is prefixed to the given name and surname.

Is the husband of a dame called Sir?

Husband of a dame

The husband of a dame is not accorded a courtesy title. A dame and her husband would jointly be addressed as: Dame Joan and Mr John Grant, or. Mr John and Dame Joan Grant.

Are Dames knighted?

When a woman is "Knighted" in England she is referred to as "Dame." Examples include Dame Judy Dench and Dame Helen Mirren. However, "Damehood" is not directly equivalent to "Knighthood" in that "Damehood" does not carry the same militaristic trappings as "Knighthood."

Can you call yourself a dame?

Not only will you be able to call yourself Sir or Dame, on purchasing your Sir title or Dame title, you will receive a full title pack for your Knighthood or Damehood, included in this is a framed and personalised Individual Title Deed, the Sealand Knight's Code Of Chivalry, an elegant official documents folder to keep ...

How British Knighthoods work

Is Dame higher than OBE?

Standing for Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, an OBE is the second highest ranking Order of the British Empire award (excluding a knighthood/damehood), behind CBE but ahead of MBE.

How do you address a Dame in person?

Both men and women are knighted: Men are adddressed as Sir (Name); Women are Dame (Name). How Do I Address a Dame? Wives of knights are addressed as Lady (surname). Husbands of knights receive none of the courtesies of the wife's honour.

What is a female knight called?

The proper term for a female knight is “Dame.” Some people may think that the only way to earn such a title is through marriage, but a woman may earn the title of “Dame” in her own right, whether she is married or not.

How do you become Dame?

A woman appointed to the grades of the Dame Commander or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, Most Honourable Order of the Bath, the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Royal Victorian Order, or the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire ...

Does a Dame sit in the Lords?

Women hereditary peers were able to sit in the Lords from 1963. Since 2015, the first female Church of England bishops have been sitting as Lords Spiritual. Today, women make up just over a quarter of the members of the Lords, which compares with a third of the members of the Commons.

How do you become a Sir or Dame?

The honour of knighthood comes from medieval times, as does the way used to award the knighthood - the touch of a sword by the King or Queen. Men who receive this honour are given the title Sir, while women receiving the honour are called Dame. The award is given for an exceptional achievement in any activity.

What is the wife of a knighted man called?

The wife of a knight is known as 'Lady', followed by her (husband's) surname (e.g. Lady Smith), and she is addressed as with the wife of a baronet. She would never be styled 'Lady Mary Smith' unless she was the daughter of a Duke, Marquess or Earl.

How do you address a Dame of the British Empire?

KBE/DBE – Knight/Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, this is the 2nd from highest rank in the order and is awarded usually for long and respected service in an individual's field. The holder typically will use the title of 'Sir' if male in front of their first name and 'Dame' if female.

What is higher than a Dame?

The higher honours confer noble titles: “Sir” and “Dame” in the case of knighthoods; “Lord” and “Baron” or “Lady” and “Baroness” in the case of life peerages; and one of the ranks of the hereditary nobility in the case of hereditary peerages. In 2020, the honours system was criticised for its link with Empire.

Do dames get knighted with a sword?

Those of lower ranks in the orders not allowed to use the accolade Sir or Dame only get the medal, no sword tapping. As an event steeped in tradition, every aspect of the knighting process has a symbolic meaning and the items associated with it are considered national treasures.

Is a Lord higher than a Sir?

Sir is used to address a man who has the rank of baronet or knight; the higher nobles are referred to as Lord.

Does an OBE make you a Sir?

While a CBE, OBE and MBE are some of the top ranking honours, only the top two ranks can use the title "Sir" or "Dame". People awarded a GBE, KBE or DBE can use these titles. The very top rank in the Order is a GBE - a Knight or Dame Grand Cross - but these are very rare.

Who is a Sir in the UK?

Traditionally, as governed by law and custom, Sir is used for men titled as knights, often as members of orders of chivalry, as well as later applied to baronets and other offices. As the female equivalent for knighthood is damehood, the suo jure female equivalent term is typically Dame.

Can you buy a Sir title?

No peerage titles are capable of being bought or sold. Many are known by the designation "Lord" and in Scotland, the lowest rank of the peerage is "Lord of Parliament" rather than "Baron". Knights are people who have been knighted and are thus entitled to the prefix of "Sir". This title cannot be bought or sold.

What is a Dame Commander?

​(in Britain) the title of a woman who has been given one of a particular set of honours by the King or Queen. compare Knight Commander.

What does kt stand for after a name?

In legal and official documents "Knight" should be added after the name instead of "Kt".

Who is the youngest knighted person?

The youngest person in modern times to achieve this honour is solo yachting hero Ellen MacArthur, who was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005, at the age of 28. Andy Murray is the youngest man to receive the same rank when he was made a Knight Bachelor in 2017 at the age of 29.

What does it mean to be called Dame?

Definition of dame

1 : a woman of rank, station, or authority: such as. a archaic : the mistress of a household. b : the wife or daughter of a lord. c : a female member of an order of knighthood —used as a title prefixed to the given name.

What comes first professor or Sir?

Combining titles

For a person with an academic title and another title, the academic title should generally precede the other title and thereafter replaces other titles. For example: Professor Sir John Pendry (subsequent mentions: Professor Pendry)

How do you write a letter to a Dame?

The titles 'Sir' and 'Dame' go with the first name. You therefore address letters to knights and dames 'Dear Sir John/Dame Nellie' and not 'Dear Sir Smith/Dame Melba'. Peers, however, are addressed by title and surname: 'Dear Lord Jenkins'.