Hereditary titles have a hierarchy
known as the five grades or ranks of the peerage, just as in
various other European countries. The highest grade is
duke/duchess, followed by marquess/marchioness, earl/countess,
viscount/viscountess, and baron/baroness.
Dukes and duchesses are addressed with their actual title, but
all other ranks of the peerage are addressed as Lord or Lady.
Non-hereditary life peers are also addressed as Lord or Lady.
Life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles
cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. In modern
times, life peerages, always created at the rank of baron, are
created under the Life Peerages Act 1958 and entitle the holders
to seats in the House of Lords, presuming they meet
qualifications such as age and citizenship. The legitimate
children of a life peer are entitled to style themselves with
the prefix "The Honourable", although they cannot inherit the
peerage itself.
Lord and Sir are two titles that show difference between them in
terms of their significance and application. Lord is an
inherited title or given by a government. A Lord can occupy the
seat of the House of Lords.
Sir refers to the Knight, so it is an honor of Knighthood
bestowed on an individual by the Queen. The title of Sir is
lower rank of nobility when compared to the title of Lord. These
are individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their
field and have been awarded official honors in the name of the
reigning monarch. There are different categories, but only those
receiving the highest level of award are entitled to use the
title Dame or Sir.
The fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, for example, received a
knighthood in 2000 from Queen Elizabeth II, while actress Dame
Judi Dench received the female equivalent of a knighthood in
1988 – Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Elton
John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight) was knighted by Elizabeth II for
"services to music and charitable services" in 1998.