Grandee

Grandee (/ɡrənˈdiː/; Spanish: Grande de España, Spanish: [ˈɡɾande]) is an official aristocratic title conferred on some Spanish nobility.^[1] Holders of this dignity enjoyed similar privileges to those of the peerage of France during the Ancien Régime, though in neither country did they have the significant constitutional political role the House of Lords gave to the Peerage of England, of Great Britain and of the United Kingdom. A "Grandee of Spain" nonetheless enjoyed greater social privileges than those of other similar European dignities.^[2]

With the exception of Fernandina,^[3] all Spanish dukedoms are automatically attached to a Grandeeship, yet only a few marquessates, countships, viscountcies, baronies and lordships have the distinction. A single person can be a Grandee of Spain multiple times, as Grandeeships are attached, except in a few cases, to a title and not an individual. Such Grandees with more than one title notably include the current Duchess of Medinaceli and the Duke of Alba, who are Grandees ten and nine times respectively. All sons and daughters of Infantes are also Grandees.^[4]

According to the 1876 Constitution, fully in force until 1923, Grandees of Spain could also be senators por derecho propio ("in their own right"), alongside archbishops and top military ranks.^[5]

As of 2018, Grandeeships totalled 417 out of the 2,942 extant titles in Spain (approximately 14%) of which there were 153 Dukedoms, 142 Marquessates, 108 Countships, 2 Viscountcies, 2 Baronies, 3 Lordships and 7 hereditary Grandees with no title attached to the Grandeeship.^[6] Despite losing their last legal privilege in 1984, when the right to possess diplomatic passports and immunity was revoked for all Grandees of Spain, they still enjoy certain ceremonial privileges.^[7] All Grandees are entitled to remain covered in the presence of the King of Spain, as well as being addressed by him as primo (cousin), a privilege that originated in the 16th century, when most Grandees were close relatives of the monarch.^[8]

Outside Spain, the term can refer to other people of a somewhat comparable, exalted position, roughly synonymous with magnate; formerly a rank of high nobility (especially when it carried the right to a parliamentary seat). By extension, the term can refer informally to any important person of high status, particularly wealthy, landed long-time residents in a region. In the United Kingdom the term is currently and informally used of influential and long-standing members of the Conservative Party, Labour Party and Liberal Democrats,^[9][10] and has had more specific meanings in the past.