Full Breakdown
Former DUP Leader Jeffrey Donaldson Stripped of Knighthood After Conviction
7/24/2026, 1:58:01 AM
Knighthood Cancellation
The King, Charles III, directed the cancellation and annulment of the knighthood awarded to former Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Mark Donaldson. The decision was recorded in a notice published in *The Gazette* by the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.
Conviction and Privy Council Removal
In June 2024, a Northern Ireland court convicted Donaldson of 18 counts of sexual abuse, including one count of rape, involving two women who were children at the time of the offences. Following the verdict, Donaldson requested removal from the Privy Council and the forfeiture of his knighthood. He was formally removed from the Privy Council in July 2024.
Consequences for Titles
The forfeiture of the knighthood also removes the courtesy title held by his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, who will no longer be styled “Lady Donaldson.” Eleanor Donaldson faced a separate trial on mental-health grounds; a jury found her guilty on all five charges, including four counts of aiding and abetting her husband’s offences.
Verbatim Quote
“THE KING has directed the cancellation and annulment of the knighthood conferred upon Jeffrey Mark Donaldson on the 11 June 2016 as a Knight Bachelor.” — Central Chancery, of the Orders of Knighthood — Central Chancery, of the Orders of Knighthood
