Elton's A Knight -- What Do We Call His Partner?

[ruggerson]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/orl-furnish05dec24,0,6199659.story?coll=orl-caltop

<snip>

Elton's a knight -- what do we call his partner?

The Associated Press |
Posted December 24, 2005

WINDSOR, England -- It was simple in the old days: A knight was a sir and his spouse a lady.

But Sir Elton John's civil union this week has etiquette authorities and other experts wringing their hands in confusion about what title -- if any -- his new partner David Furnish might take.

"He can't be Lady Elton John, now can he?" says Hugh Peskett, a consultant editor for Burke's Peerage.

Authorities on such things say they are moving into untrodden territory this week, as hundreds of same-sex couples took advantage of new laws in the United Kingdom allowing civil unions.

Although not technically marriages, the unions give same-sex couples the same social security, tax, pension and inheritance rights as married couples.

But it's a gray area when it comes to titles etiquette, which is largely a matter of custom rather than law, says Charles Mosley, editor in chief of Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage, an authority on etiquette.

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Suggestions, anyone?

[ruggerson]

1. How about "Your Topness"? n/t

[DemInDistress]

2. Day !!! nt

[ananda]

3. Squire?

lol

nt

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. "Squire" should work

Under the British system of titles, "squire" ranks below "knight" and above "gentleman." In older times, it referred to the man assigned the task of maintaining a knight's shield and armor, or at the least was a close friend and servant. Think Samwise Gamgee to Frodo Baggins. And like that pair, there are many stories where the relationship between squire and his knight was, shall we say, not something you would discuss with the Church.

I think Squire would be appropriate.

[William769]

4. "The question was put to the authority on such matters, Debrett's Peerage

Here is the answer.

http://365gay.com/Newscon05/12/122205furnish.htm

[MADem]

9. Crummy answer, IMO

Why don't they call him "Lord-Partner" Elton John or whatever?

But really, at the end of the day, those titles are foolishness, though at least these artsy ones are given out for merit, as opposed to the type that are bought and paid for.

I mean, really--all that royalty means is that you had an ancestor or two who was ace at looting, killing, plundering and imposing their will on serfs and peasants...it ain't like the title holders did anything to earn it.

[MuseRider]

5. They should ask him.

Maybe he would like to choose.

[davidinalameda]

6. is it a heredity title

if Elton was to have offspring, would they inherit the title

if it was heredity, then I can see a case made for his partner getting dubed something or other

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. Knighthoods are not hereditary

Nowadays, it is exceedingly rare for new titles to be created. Instead, a title is given for life and reverts back to the Crown on the death of the recipient.

[Tikki]

7. Sir Elton John and Consort David Furnish........Correct Yes/No?

[MADem]

10. Hey, that works n/t

[terrya]

18. I think that would be a good choice.

"Consort" has a nice ring to it. :-)

[China_cat]

8. Too bad Elton doesn't flame

then Furnish could be the 'Queen's knight'.

[clydefrand]

11. The All Knighter?

[SoKalKyle]

12. Isn't the female version

of Knight a Dame? What is a Dame's husband called? That should work for David ( Although I like Dame Elton too)

[Maven]

13. Mmm. Yeees. Quite.

Indeed.

[charlyvi]

14. A Pip.

As in "Elton Knight and the...."

[xchrom]

17. no you di-uhn't!