Structure and Grades

The Monarch of the Commonwealth Realms, Queen Elizabeth II, is the Sovereign Head of the Order. The next most senior Member of the Order is the Grand Prior, the The Duke of Gloucester (since 1974). Below the Grand Prior is the Grand Council, consisting of the five Great Officers and the senior representatives from each of the eight Priories. For more information on the Grand Council and Great Officers, see www.orderofstjohn.org/appointments. The Grand Council meets once a year at different venues around the world.       

    

 

Grand Council meeting in London, in May 2011

The Order of St John has at least five Great Officers:

1. Grand Prior
2. Lord Prior of St John
3. Prelate
4. Deputy Lord Prior(s) (depending on Grand Prior’s need for one or two)
5. Sub-Prior

Other Principal Officers, such as the Secretary-General, and Honorary Officers, such as the Genealogist, can be appointed by the Grand Prior on the recommendation of the Grand Council. The Principal and Honorary Officers are appointed to hold office for a period not exceeding three years. The Grand Prior may also appoint a Secretary of the Order who shall hold office during the pleasure of the Grand Prior or until resignation.                                                     

• Grade I –   Bailiffs or Dames Grand Cross (GCStJ)
• Grade II – Knights or Dames of Justice or Grace (KStJ or DStJ)
• Grade III – Commanders (CStJ)
• Grade IV – Officers (OStJ)
• Grade V – Members (MStJ)

A number of members of the Royal Family hold high grades in the Order. The Princess Royal and The Duchess of Gloucester are Dames Grand Cross of the Order. HRH The Princess Edward, Countess of Wessex, is a Dame of the Order, and HRH Prince Michael is a Knight of Justice. Queen Elizabeth II makes all appointments to the Order as she in her absolute discretion shall think fit. Recommendations are made by the Grand Council.  More information on the Royal Family and the Order of St John.

1. The Sovereign Head
2. The Grand Prior
3. The Lord Prior of St John
4. The Prior of a Priory or the Knight/Dame Commander of a Commandery when within the territory of the    Establishment
5. The Prelate of the Order
6. The Deputy Lord Prior of the Deputy Lord Priors, if more than one in the order of seniority in their Grades
7. The Sub-Prior of the Order
8. Bailiffs and Dames Grand Cross
9. The Prior of a Priory outside the territory of the Priory
10. The Members of the Grand Council not included above in the order of seniority in their Grades
11. The Principal Officers in the order of their offices
12. The Sub-Prelates
13. The Hospitaller of the Order
14. Knights and Dames
15. Chaplains
16. Commanders
17. Officers
18. Members