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damehoods

Damehood is the status conferred on a woman by a sovereign within certain orders of chivalry, marking the female equivalent of a knighthood. Those honored may use the title Dame before their given name (for example, Dame Judi Dench). A damehood is typically awarded for notable achievement or service in public life, the arts, science, charity, or related fields, and is recognized in the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth realms.

Most damehoods in the United Kingdom are part of the honors system. Nominations can come from the

Dames can be created at various ranks within several orders that confer the title. The most common

Style and post-nominals: A dame may be addressed as Dame [Name] and may use the appropriate post-nominal

Revocation: In rare cases, a damehood may be forfeited by the Crown for serious misconduct or conduct

Notable examples include Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Dame Emma Thompson, and Dame Julie Walters.

public,
organizations,
or
government
bodies,
and
appointments
are
made
by
the
monarch
on
the
advice
of
honors
committees.
Honours
are
announced
in
the
New
Year
Honours
and
Birthday
Honours
lists,
and
recipients
are
invited
to
an
investiture
ceremony
where
the
insignia
is
presented
by
the
monarch
or
a
representative.
route
is
Dame
Commander
of
the
Order
of
the
British
Empire
(DBE),
but
dames
may
also
be
named
at
higher
ranks
such
as
Dame
Grand
Cross
(GBE)
or
within
other
orders
of
chivalry
that
grant
the
style
Dame
(for
example
in
the
Royal
Victorian
Order,
the
Order
of
the
Bath,
or
the
Order
of
St
Michael
and
St
George).
letters
(for
example
DBE,
GBE,
or
GCVO).
The
title
is
typically
for
life
and
does
not
pass
to
heirs.
that
brings
the
honours
system
into
disrepute.