"The Lady" v. "Lady"?

Question

Why are some female members of the British aristocracy titled "The Lady" and others just "Lady"?

Answer 1

The Lady is used to denote and title like Lady Spencer who is the Countess Spencer. Lady is used to denote courtesy titles like Lady Diana Spencer who was the daughter of a earl of england

Answer 2

everyone who is high society is Lady.. Nitwit.. Lady Dingbat.. whatever... and the lady.. that is... if you go into a shop and a woman has actually been waiting to be served...then you say.. that lady over here.. she was there before me.. that's just a polite name to say instead of that woman....but that is Mrs Smith without a title.. or Miss Marple.. as she is old you would call her that lady if she existed really and if you were not acquainted otherwise if everyone knows each other in a small villiage then it's Miss Marple was first... you dont' say Lady then...you say the name..

Lady Di... Lady Something something anyone who just got a title.. a dutchess even without money if she got a title.. well then she is the Dutchess but anyone whose great great great grandparents had a title...and now they predecessors have normal jobs.. they are Still Sir for a man or Lady...  and certain politicians in UK you call Sir.. all those knighted by the Queen.. Sir Paul McCartney.. unless he says.. hey call me Paul...Dame x*x that is some woman a famous author.. Dame Agatha Christie... she was made Dame.. that is similar to a man being knighted by the queen... it's an honour title and she can sign.. Dame Agatha Christie.. only she is dead so she can't anyomore.. but anyone who is working the children of Princess Margaret they both work.. Lady Sarah Chatto.. she married a man without a title but she is the niece of the queen.. she is Lady Sarah.. and the brother he is Viscount.. but you would call him Sir and he is working in a normal job also and married a woman without a title but because of the marriage his wife became Lady Serena Linley..

x*x

Answer 3

"The Lady" is usually the wife of a peer or a peeress in her own right, a "Lady" is usually the daughter of a peer or the wife of a man styled "Lord" out of courtesy (being the son of a peer).

Answer 4

Nobility from the British peerage list including Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess, and Baroness (in her own right) are all styled with "The" in front of their titles. Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls are styled without "The" in front of their titles, therefore, this also applies to their wives and daughters. Gentry class including Baronetess and Knight's wife are styled without "The" in front of their names.

Answer 5

From Correct Forms of Address at

http://users.chinet.com/~laura/html/titl...

"4.  Use of "The"

"The" is a designation only used for peers and their families.  It is not used, for example, by baronets, knights, or commoners (except when referring to the widow of a baronet).  The wife of a baronet or knight would be Lady Burke, and never The Lady Burke, while the wife of a peer would be The Lady Melgum, and a peer's daughter who is entitlted to use the "Lady" designation would be The Lady Serena Carlow.  However, when the usage is not formal, "The" may be dropped.  (I am not absolutely certain whether this "The" usage is appropriate for the eldest sons (heirs) and their wives and children, but I think it is, since courtesy titles are supposed to be used exactly as if they held the title by right.)"