How can you become a Lord like Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, or Baroness like Baroness Butler-Sloss? (Pictures: Getty)

Like your name? Think it’s great? Well, we’re sure it is.

But wouldn’t it be that much more sexy with Baron, Lord or Baroness in front of it? Yes, of course it would.

So how on Earth do you become a Baroness, or a Baron/Lord? Is it even possible? And if it is, how can you do it right this SECOND?

Baroness Schraeder from The Sound of Music was fabulously callous (Picture: Warner Bros)

Baron (alternatively titled Lord) and Baroness are titles of nobility, often inherited and belonging to someone who has a seat in the House of Lords.


The titles come from what’s known as the Peerage of Great Britain, which comes in ranks – Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount and Baron (Baroness being the female equivalent).



Baron was originally a title bestowed on those who had shown loyalty to the Norman king, William the Conqueror.

Then of course there’s the mysterious Lord Lucan, pictured here with his wife, who disappeared in 1974 before everyone realised he’d done some murders (Picture: Getty)

Modern Baronesses include Margaret Thatcher, Charlotte Vere, the executive director of the Girls’ Schools Association, and Sharmishta Chakrabarti, a barrister who led a human rights organisation.

Meanwhile Alan Sugar, Andrew Lloyd-Webber and John Kerr, a Scottish former diplomat, are among the Barons of today.

You don’t have to be born into nobility, or inherit a peerage, to be a Baroness or a Baron. You can be named one by the Prime Minister, as long as the Queen approves.

Nominees for a peerage are put forward by the different political parties when the Prime Minister resigns, and also at the start of a new Parliament.

The House of Lords chamber, chock full of Barons and Baronesses (Picture: Getty)

But the House of Lords Appointments Commission, which was set up as an independent body in 2000, also recommends individuals for appointment as non-party-political life peers each year.

The commission vets nominations for life peers, including those nominated by the UK political parties, to ensure the highest standards of propriety. Members can be nominated by the public and political parties

If you’re a judge, a bishop or an archbishop you’re more likely to be considered for a peerage, but people from all walks of life are eligible, and life peerages may be given to some MPs (from all parties) when they leave the House of Commons at the end of a parliament.

The pretty evil William Cecil, 1520 –1598, was titled 1st Baron Burghley, also spelt Burleigh (Picture: Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images)

If that seems like a lot of pressure, don’t worry. You can also marry into nobility to get the title.

Just get hitched to a Baron to become a Baroness, or marry a Baron’s daughter to become a Baron (a Baroness’s husband is just a Mr, though, we’re afraid).

Then there’s always the option to buy a Lord of the Manor title, or just to change your name by deed poll. Same kudos, less hard work.

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