Most prestigious titles?

Just curious to get everyone's opinion--

Outside of the royal houses, which aristocratic titles are considered
the most prestigious?

Brooke
bxzi@yahoo.com

Hovite...

In Britain: the Duke of Norfolk.

marquess...

I was going to post a topic similar to this one, but based on Dukedoms.
I think that for the tilte to be presigious it has to be old, with a
large ancient seat, and preferably going through the male line. If we
were talking in terms of age, then I suppose, that the Marquess of
Lansdowne, holds a barony that has gone through the male line, since
about 1200 something. Older than anything that Norfolk has. apart from
the questionable earldom of arundel.

I think that in England I would try and catergorise, which title is
the most prestigious based on rank, so for example of the dukedoms,
Norfolk would definetly come first, Arundel Castle, leading catholics,
saint in the family, four or five other howard peerages. Possibly
followed by Devonshire and Northumberland, though not ancient, they do
have historic seats and more than one, though the Northumberlands are
really Smithsons, rather than Percys. I have left out Somerset, as that
one, seems to lack the real first rate glamour that a Dukedoms should
have!

Marquisates, I would probably go for Bath and Bute, decent seats, with
a good acreage, possibley followed closey by Northampton. Winchester is
the oldest but does really own much in the Uk as far as I am aware.

Earldoms, Derby, Shrewsbury, still some decent acerage for both of
them, and derby possess a first rate seat.

Viscounticies, Portland and Rothermere, no real seats, but real money.
In terms of age Hereford perhaps, but I am not even sure he lives in
the UK and is not perhaps well known.

Baronies, Petre, Ingestre Hall, and Writtle Park, good acerage, ancient
catholic family.

Baronets, Bacon, decent acerage and family seat.

Comments please!

I would love to see an opposite list of the least prestigious titles in
the peerage, like Massey who have never done anything of note!