constantine was awarded a life peerage in 1969, becoming the first black man to sit in the house of lords; there were rumours that trinidad had prevented earlier attempts to ennoble him. he took the title of baron constantine of maraval in trinidad and nelson in the county palatine of lancaster. his investiture attracted widespread media attention; constantine stated: "i think it must have been for what i have endeavoured to do to make it possible for people of different colour to know each other better and live well together." he sat as a crossbencher in the house, but, due to failing health, was only able to make one speech in his time there.