A wife of a knight of an order of the British Empire does not automatically receive a title herself upon her husband’s knighthood. However, she may use the female equivalent of his title as a courtesy title. So the wife of a Knight Bachelor would be known as “Lady [Surname]”. But the wife of a knight of one of the orders of chivalry receives no title.
Courtesy Titles for Wives
The wife of a knight may use the female equivalent of his title, but only as a courtesy title, not her legal name. This would be:
- Wife of a Knight Bachelor – Lady [Surname]
- Wife of a Knight Commander or Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath – Lady [Surname]
- Wife of a Knight Commander or Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George – Lady [Surname]
- Wife of a Knight Commander or Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire – Dame [Surname]
So for example, if John Smith was knighted and made a Knight Bachelor, his wife Jane Smith could be known as Lady Jane Smith. But this does not give her the title in her own right.
No Title for Wives of Orders of Chivalry
Wives of knights of orders of chivalry do not receive any courtesy title. The chivalric orders are:
- Order of the Garter
- Order of the Thistle
- Order of St Patrick (dormant)
- Order of the Bath
- Order of the Star of India (dormant)
- Order of St Michael and St George
- Royal Victorian Order
- Order of the British Empire
So if a man is made a Knight of the Order of the Garter, his wife does not receive any courtesy title at all. She remains simply Mrs [Surname].
How Wives Can Receive Their Own Titles
There are a couple of ways a wife can receive a substantive title of her own:
1. Peerage Titles
If her husband is made a peer, such as a baron, viscount, earl etc, his wife will take the female equivalent title. So if John Smith is made Baron Smith, his wife Jane will become Baroness Smith in her own right.
2.Honours in Her Own Right
If the wife receives an honour herself, such as appointment to the Royal Victorian Order or Order of the British Empire, she will receive her own title. For example if Jane Smith receives a DBE she becomes Dame Jane Smith.
What About Divorce or Widowhood?
If a wife divorces her knighted husband, she loses the right to use the courtesy title Lady. So Lady Jane Smith would revert to Mrs Jane Smith.
If a wife is widowed and her husband received a peerage, she continues to use his title. For example if the Baron Smith dies, his wife continues as Baroness Smith.
If a wife is widowed and her husband only had a knighthood, she loses the right to be called Lady.
Summary
In summary:
- Wives of knights can use a courtesy title, but do not hold a title in their own right
- Wives of peers do receive a substantive title
- Wives must be divorced or widowed to lose their title
- The only way for a wife to hold a title of her own is to receive an honour herself
So while being knighted brings no titles for wives, they can use courtesy titles. But being made a peer or being honoured themselves gives women their own substantive titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the wife of a Sir receive a title?
No, the wife of a Sir does not automatically receive a title. Wives of Knights Bachelor may use the courtesy title Lady, but this is not a title in her own right.
What is the wife of a Knight called?
The wife of a Knight Bachelor may use the courtesy title Lady. For example, the wife of Sir John Smith is called Lady Jane Smith. But the wife of a knight of the orders of chivalry receives no title.
Does a Dame get called Lady?
No, a Dame receives the title Dame and does not use Lady. Dame is the female equivalent of a knighthood, so a woman appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire is called Dame, not Lady.
Can a wife be a Baroness?
Yes, if her husband is granted a peerage title such as Baron, his wife will take the female equivalent title. So if John Smith is made Baron Smith, his wife Jane will become Baroness Smith.
Does a wife lose her title when her husband dies?
No, a peerage title is held for life. So if Jane Smith is Baroness Smith and her husband dies, she remains Baroness Smith until her death. But if her husband was just a knight, she loses the courtesy Lady title on his death.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the wife of a knighted man does not automatically receive a title of her own. She may use a courtesy title, but this does not give her a substantive title. The only ways a wife can receive a title is if her husband is granted a peerage, giving her the female equivalent, or if she is granted an honour herself. Divorce or widowhood may result in losing the right to use a courtesy title, but peerage titles are held for life.