Diplomatic ranks

Ambassador

-originally meant to be sent by great powers which are monarchies to another

-but after War of the French Revolution (1792-1804) France obtained right to send and receive ambassadors to monarchies

-and after British Wars > Popular Revolution (1827-9) British Isles continued to send ambassadors

-but not always to receive it which it only got later

Consul-general

-a consul but supervisory

-with British Wars > Popular Revolution (1827-9) the new British government decides republics should not send ambassadors to one another

-being at perpetual peace after all

-instead it only sends consuls for trade purposes to the United States of America

-consul at capital designated consul-general which is practically ambassador

-additionally sends consul-general to French Republic which reciprocates

-practice of republics sending consuls-general to other republics becomes common

Nuncio

-plenipotentiary of the papacy

-from Papal State

Agent-general

-within former British Empire

-in practice has reduced to literally just between British Isles, Cabotia, Iceland

Minister

-envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary

-originally meant to be below ambassador but that difference has entirely collapsed