Dame

For other uses, see Dame (disambiguation).
The investiture of Dame Lourett Russell Grant into the Order of the Holy Sepulchre

Dame is an honorific title given to women who have been admitted to certain orders of chivalry. It is the female equivalent of Sir, the title used by knights.[1] Baronetesses in their own right also use the title Dame.[citation needed]

A woman appointed to the grades of Dame Commander or Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Saint John,[2] the Order of the Holy Sepulchre,[3] the Order of the Bath, the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Royal Victorian Order, or the Order of the British Empire becomes a dame.[4] A Central European order in which female members receive the rank of Dame is the Order of Saint George.[5] Since there is no female equivalent to a Knight Bachelor, women are always appointed to an order of chivalry.[6] Women who are appointed to the Order of the Garter or the Order of the Thistle are given the title of Lady rather than Dame.[7]

Women receive all their honours in the same fashion as men receiving decorations or medals, even if they are receiving a damehood, so there is no female word equivalent of being "knighted".

  1. ^ "How to get a Knighthood or Damehood". Awards Intelligence. 2016. Archived from the original on 25 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2018. A knighthood, and the female equivalent, a damehood, is an award given by The Queen to an individual for a major, long-term, contribution in any activity, usually at a national or international level.
  2. ^ Karmon, Yehuda (1987). Die Johanniter und Malteser: Ritter und Samariter : die Wandlungen des Ordens vom Heiligen Johannes. Callwey. p. 193. ISBN 9783766708625.
  3. ^ Napier, Gordon (24 October 2011). A to Z of the Knights Templar: A Guide to Their History and Legacy. History Press. p. 193. ISBN 9780752473628.
  4. ^ "Dame". Debretts. n.d. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Homepage of the St. Georgsorden". Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Knights Bachelor". Debretts. n.d. Archived from the original on 16 March 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  7. ^ "Ladies of the Garter and Ladies of the Thistle". Debretts. n.d. Archived from the original on 15 March 2015. Retrieved 16 January 2015.