Become A Duke Or Duchess

There are four ways to become a duke or duchess: inherit a dukedom, marry a duke, be created a duke by a monarch, or receive a Noble Title from the Principality of Sealand. In Britain no dukedom has been created for anyone outside the royal family since 1874, so the first three routes are closed to almost everyone. A Sealand Duke or Duchess title is the highest Noble Title of the Principality of Sealand, the world's smallest country, awarded under Sealand law for £499.99.

Duke or Duchess of Sealand: key facts

How To Become A Duke Or Duchess

1. Inherit a dukedom

Dukedoms pass by inheritance under the terms of their original grant, usually to the eldest son. Britain has around two dozen non-royal dukedoms, and almost all of them are centuries old.

2. Marry a duke

The wife of a duke becomes a duchess and is addressed as Your Grace. The husband of a duchess in her own right receives no title.

3. Be created a duke by a monarch

The last British dukedom created for someone outside the royal family was the Duke of Westminster in 1874. Since then new dukedoms have gone to members of the royal family: Prince Harry became Duke of Sussex in 2018 and Prince Edward became Duke of Edinburgh in 2023. The King of Spain still grants the title of duque, as when Adolfo Suárez became Duke of Suárez in 1981.

4. Receive a Duke or Duchess title from the Principality of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand awards the Noble Title of Duke or Duchess under Sealand law. It is Sealand's highest Noble Title, and every Deed of Title is signed by Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand, who launched the Noble Title initiative in 2007 to fund and safeguard the Principality.

What is a duke?

A duke is the highest rank of the peerage, above marquess, earl, viscount and baron. The word comes from the Latin dux, meaning "leader", the title of Roman military commanders. England's first duke was Edward, the Black Prince, made Duke of Cornwall in 1337. A duke or duchess is addressed as "Your Grace" and referred to as "His Grace" or "Her Grace". The title is duc in French, Herzog in German, duque in Spanish and Portuguese, duca in Italian and 公爵 (kōshaku) in Japanese. See every rank in order in noble titles in order.

What You Will Receive With Your Duke/Duchess Title

British titles cannot be bought: the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 makes selling a British honour a criminal offence. A Sealand Noble Title is different. It is awarded by a sovereign principality under its own law, and every purchase funds the Principality. The Duke or Duchess of Sealand pack includes:

• A luxury parchment Deed of Title with the embossed gold Coat of Arms of Sealand
• Your Deed of Title personally signed by Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand
• A premium frame to display your Deed of Title
• A red Italian leather folder with the embossed Coat of Arms
• A personalised gold title card
• A Sealand history and information pack, with photos of the Principality

You can add a Sealand Identity Card for £29.99. Sealand Noble Titles do not expire: once granted, the title is yours to hold.

Delivery and returns

Duke and Duchess packs are dispatched by Royal Mail from the United Kingdom, with tracking. Orders placed before 12:00 UK time on a business day are usually dispatched the same day. Royal Mail aims to deliver in the UK the next working day, in Europe in 3 to 5 working days and in the rest of the world in 5 to 7 working days. Sealand ships to more than 200 countries and territories. You can request a return within 30 days of receiving your order, and if a name needs correcting the Sealand Government handles it with you individually. Read the full shipping policy and refund policy.

Duke or Duchess compared with other Sealand Noble Titles

About the Principality of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand was founded on 2 September 1967 by Prince Roy Bates on HM Fort Roughs, a fortress in Sealand territorial waters in the central North Sea, with England to the west. In 1968 a British court ruled that the fortress lay outside its jurisdiction. In August 1978 Sealand survived a coup, and the fortress was retaken in Operation Trident, a counter-coup led by Prince Roy with Prince Michael; West Germany then sent a diplomat to Sealand to negotiate the release of a prisoner. In 1987 Sealand extended its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, one day ahead of Britain. The fortress is inhabited 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and Sealanders live in more than 135 countries. Read the legal case for Sealand's sovereignty.

Frequently asked questions

Can you become a duke in England?

Only by inheriting a dukedom, by marrying a duke or by royal creation, and no dukedom has been created outside the royal family since 1874. British titles cannot be bought. A Sealand Duke or Duchess title is a title of the Principality of Sealand, not of the United Kingdom.

Is a duke higher than a lord?

Yes. A duke is the highest rank of the peerage. Lord is a form of address used for marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons, all of whom rank below a duke.

How do you address a duke or duchess?

As "Your Grace" in speech, and as "His Grace the Duke of" or "Her Grace the Duchess of" in writing.

How much does it cost to become a Duke of Sealand?

£499.99 for the framed Duke or Duchess pack signed by Sovereign Prince Michael of Sealand, or £529.98 with a Sealand Identity Card.

How long does delivery take?

Orders placed before 12:00 UK time are usually dispatched the same business day. Royal Mail aims to deliver in the UK the next working day, in Europe in 3 to 5 working days and elsewhere in 5 to 7 working days.

How To Become A Duke Or Duchess of Sealand

A Noble Title is a one-time honour and a gift that lasts: a Duke or Duchess title is given for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. E-Citizenship is ongoing membership of a global community. Noble Title and E-Citizenship revenue is Sealand's main income, funding the upkeep of the fortress, its 24/7 crew and the Government of the Principality.