👑 What is a Duke?

A Duke is the highest rank in the British peerage. The female equivalent is a Duchess.

Historically, some dukedoms were created hundreds of years ago and became closely connected with large family estates. These houses, land and traditions could remain associated with the same family for many generations.

Imagine a family receiving an estate around 500 years ago, during the Tudor period. Over the centuries, different generations might inherit the title and property, while the estate becomes part of the family’s identity and history.

A duke may be royal or non-royal, and not every duke owns an estate. The legal rules for inheriting a title and inheriting property can be different.