The British peerage has five descending, hereditary degrees. They are Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons.
A Duke is the highest grade of the peerage. Wives of Dukes are styled Duchesses.
Please note this page contains information about non-royal Dukes.
In conversation it is best to make as sparing a use as possible of titles.
Formally addressed as ‘Your Grace’, they are referred to as ‘His Grace’ and ‘Her Grace’.
The exception is if you are of the same social standing (i.e. a peer or spouse of a peer) – in such an instance you may refer to them as ‘Duke’ and ‘Duchess’.
My Lord Duke
I remain Your Grace’s most obedient servant
Envelope: His Grace the Duke of Decorum
Madam
I remain Your Grace’s most obedient servant
Envelope: Her Grace the Duchess of Decorum
My Lord Duke
Yours faithfully
Envelope: The Duke of Decorum
Madam
Yours faithfully
Envelope: The Duchess of Decorum
Dear Duke of Decorum or Dear Duke
Yours sincerely
Envelope: The Duke of Decorum
Dear Duchess of Decorum or Dear Duchess
Yours sincerely
Envelope: The Duchess of Decorum
Vestments
The coronet of a Duke has eight strawberry leaves of which five are seen in two-dimensional representations.
A Duke’s coronation and parliament robes have five ermine tails / miniver bars.
The train of a Duchess’s coronation robe will be two-yards with five-inch edging. Their miniver cape will also have four rows of ermine, as with a Duke, to indicate their rank.
Vestments
The coronet of a Duke has eight strawberry leaves of which five are seen in two-dimensional representations.
A Duke’s coronation and parliament robes have five ermine tails / miniver bars.
The train of a Duchess’s coronation robe will be two-yards with five-inch edging. Their miniver cape will also have four rows of ermine, as with a Duke, to indicate their rank.
For In-Depth advice…
or matters that are not covered in our Forms of Address section, please feel free to