Jump to content

User:MaximusWikipedian/Forms of address in the United Kingdom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The forms of address used in the United Kingdom are extensive. The tables below represent the most commons cases.

Terminology

[edit]

Some titles or positions grant styles, such as 'The Right Honourable'. The punctuation of each abbreviated style depends on the source. For example, the punctuation of 'The Rt Hon' is not consistent throughout sources. The Gazette favours 'The Rt. Hon.', while the government usually prefers 'The Rt Hon.' or simply 'The Rt Hon'.

The definite article "the" in the middle of two or more titles is sometimes capitalized, as in these tables. However this is controversial: traditional British guides use the lower-case 'the'. As a single example, Debrett's gives 'Major-General the Lord …',[1] and Pears' Cyclopaedia in the section on Modes of Address gives several examples where the definite article interior to a list of honours is lower case.[2]

Names and territorial designations

[edit]
  • "London" represents the territorial designation of any peerage.
    • "Edinburgh" represents any territorial designation in Scotland.
    • Three dots (…) on a peerage refer to either any form of surname or territorial designation.
  • "William" and "Mary" represent any members of the royal family, male and female respectively.
  • "John" and "Jane" represent any peer and peeress, respectively.
  • "Edward" and "Rose" represent any heirs to peers, male and female respectively.
  • "Jamie" represents any name, male or female.
  • For males, "Smith" represents any surname.
  • For women, "Smith" represents their family name at birth, and "Brown" their husband's surname.
  • "Windsor" represents the name of the Royal House.

Royal Family

[edit]

Titled members of the Royal Family

[edit]
How to address members of the Royal Family
Rank or position On envelope or invitation[a] In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social[b] By inferiors By equals[c]

The King

HM The King Sir — Your Majesty, and thereafter as Sir, or the archaic Sire — —

The Queen
(regnant or consort)

HM The Queen Madam Your Majesty, and thereafter as Ma'am
(to rhyme with "jam") 		[4][5]

The Prince of Wales

HRH The Prince of Wales

HRH The Duke of Rothesay
(in Scotland)[d]

Sir — Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Sir — [6]
The Princess of Wales

(Wife of the Prince of Wales)

HRH The Princess of Wales

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall[d]
(an exception to the rule since 2005)

Madam Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Madam

The Princess Royal

HRH The Princess Royal — —

Royal peer or peeress
(in her own right or in her husband's)

HRH The Duke of London
e.g. HRH The Duke of Cambridge 		Sir — Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Sir —
HRH The Duchess of London
e.g. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge 		Madam Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Madam

Children of the Sovereign[e]

HRH The Prince William Sir — Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Sir —
HRH The Princess Mary Madam Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Madam
Wife of Sovereign's son HRH The Princess William

Children of the Prince of Wales[e]

HRH Prince William of Wales Sir — Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Sir —
HRH Princess Mary of Wales Madam Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Madam

Grandchildren of the Sovereign[e]
(in the male line)

Grandchildren of the Prince of Wales
(in the male line)

HRH Prince William of London
e.g. HRH Prince Michael of Kent[i] 		Sir — Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Sir — [6][7]
HRH Princess Mary of London
e.g. HRH Princess Beatrice of York[ii] 		Madam Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as Madam
Wife of Sovereign's grandson HRH Princess William of London/Wales
(as applicable)

Notes:

  1. ^ Correspondence to a member of the Royal Family should be should be address to their corresponding Private Secretary, equerry or Lady in Waiting.[3]
  2. ^ Correspondence to the Royal Family is always formal, and rarely takes a social form.
  3. ^ Members of the Royal Family have only themselves as equals, and as such refer to themselves with familiar terms.
  4. ^ a b In Scotland, the Dukedom of Rothesay ranks higher in the order of precedence, and as such the Principality of Wales is dropped in favour of the dukedom.
  5. ^ a b c Unless a peer, in which case the style for a Royal peer or peeress is used: HRH The Duke of London (for males), HRH The Duchess of London (for females).

Exceptions to the rules

[edit]

The current wife of the Prince of Wales, Camilla Parker Bowles, adopted the femenine form of her husband's highest-ranking subsidiary title, Duchess of Cornwall, upon her marriage to the Prince in 2005, to avoid confusion with the previous Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, and as such is styled as the wife of a royal peer. Nonetheless, she is still legally the Princess of Wales.[8] She is known as the Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland.[9]

The children of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, are, by their parents' choice, styled as the children of an Earl.[10] They are thus known as Viscount Severn and Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and not accorded the style of 'Royal Highness' nor the titles of 'Prince' or 'Princess'.

Great-grandchildren of the Sovereign

[edit]

The great-grandchildren of a Sovereign do not, under current Letters Patent, hold any styles or titles,[6] nor are they official members of the Royal Family. The children of the Duke of Kent (grandson of George V) are styled as the children of a Duke, and thus their children bear no style, though the children of Prince Michael of Kent, also a grandson of George V, are also styled as the children of a Duke, despite their father not being a Duke (see § Sons of peers (and their wives), below). This in turn grants, in courtesy, the styles of 'Lord' and 'Lady' to Lord Frederick Windsor and Lady Gabriella Kingston.[11]

Nobility

[edit]

Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron

[edit]
How to address peers and their wives
Rank On envelope or invitation[a] In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals

Duke and Duchess

His Grace The Duke of London
e.g. The Duke of Norfolk 		My Lord Duke Dear Duke (of London) Your Grace, and thereafter as Sir Duke [12][13]
Her Grace The Duchess of London Madam Dear Duchess (of London) Your Grace, and thereafter as Madam Duchess

Marquess and Marchioness

The Most Hon The Marquess of London
e.g. The Marquess of Milford Haven
Other forms of marquessates
 My Lord, or the archaic My Lord Marquess

—

Madam

Dear (Lord) London/Smith

—

Dear Lady London/Smith

My Lord, and thereafter as Sir

—

My Lady, and thereafter as Madam

Lord London/Smith, or more familiarly, London/Smith

—

Lady London/Smith

[14][13]

Earl and Countess

The Rt Hon) The Earl of London
e.g. The Earl of Liverpool
Other forms of earldoms
 My Lord

—

Madam

[15]

Viscount and Viscountess

The Rt Hon) The Viscount of London
e.g. The Viscount of Granard
Other forms of viscountcies
 [16]

Baron and Baroness

Lord and Lady of Parliament

(The Rt Hon) The Baron of London
e.g. The Baron of Newnham Paddockes
Other forms of baronies
 [17]

Notes:

  1. ^ For femenine form, substitute Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess or Baroness, as applicable, for the male equivalent (and in the case of Duke, substitute Her Grace for His Grace).

Styles and forms of address

[edit]

Dukes and Duchesses are accorded the style of 'Grace', but are also entitled to the use of 'The Most Noble' (which is an abbreviation of "The Most High, Potent, and Noble")[18] though it is rarely used; when used, the forenames of the peer or peeress can be used after 'His Grace but before 'The Duke of …'.[19] This style is also sometimes used without 'His Grace'.[20] The four other levels of the peerage also possess such styles, though only used in the most formal documents.[18]

Earls, Viscounts, Barons and their female equivalents are entitled to the style of 'The Right Honourable',[18] though the House of Lords, the College of Arms and the Home Office have discontinued its unless the person is a Privy Counsellor. Instead, the post-nominal letters of 'P.C.' are used.[21]

Viscounts and Barons are always referred to, both verbally and in correspondence, with 'Lord' substituting their rank. The titles of Viscount and Baron are rarely used, mainly in formal or legal documents, such as Letters Patent.[16][17] The same is true for Viscountesses and Baronesses, who use 'Lady' instead. Baronesses in their own right use 'Baroness' instead of 'Lady', to differenciate themselves from Baronesses in their husband's right, though they are free to choose their preferred style.[22] Countesses often use 'Lady' instead of Countess, much like a Baroness would.[23]

Territorial designations

[edit]

Dukes always include a territorial designation indicated by the preposition 'of' in their title (e.g. Duke of Westminster). Marquesses, Earls and Viscounts likewise include a territorial designation, though some marquessates may rather include a family name, and may exist without 'of' as part of the title, or may even include a a family name followed by a territorial designation (separated by 'of', e.g. Earl Temple of Stowe). The same is true for Barons, though there is no barony with a family name with 'of' as part of the title. All said forms are included in the tables below, though there are other forms with rare ocurrances (like titles with two territorial designations, e.g. Marquess of Graham and Buchanan) which are omitted.[24] When addressing a peer in the form 'Lord …', the whole title is used, omitting the 'of' preposition, though in cases where both a family name and a territorial designation are part of the title, it is customary to only use the family name.

Titles by courtesy

[edit]
See also: Courtesy titles in the United Kingdom

Eldest sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls use their father's most senior subsidiary title as courtesy titles: note the absence of "The" before the title.[a] If applicable, eldest sons of courtesy Marquesses or courtesy Earl also use a subsidiary title from their grandfather (great-grandfather in the case of the courtesy Earl), which is lower ranking than the one used by their father. Eldest daughters do not have courtesy titles; all courtesy peeresses are wives of courtesy peers,[b] and bear their husband's title in the femenine.

The children of courtesy peers may bear the styles that would normally be entitled to them as if their father actually held the peerages in question (e.g. the daughter of a courtesy Marquess is accorded the style of 'Lady', while the son of a courtesy Earl is 'The Honourable').[24]

How to address courtesy peers
Courtesy rank On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals
Marquess Marquess of London
e.g. Marquess of Blandford[iii]

Marquess of Smith
e.g. Marquess of Graham[iv]

My Lord or the archaic My Lord Marquess

—

Madam

Dear (Lord) London/Smith

—

Dear Lady London/Smith

My Lord, and thereafter as Sir

—

My Lady, and thereafter as Ma'am

Lord London/Smith, or more familiarly, London/Smith

—

Lady London/Smith

[26][27]
Earl Earl of London
e.g. Earl of Arundel[v]

Earl Smith
e.g. Earl Jermyn[vi]

My Lord

—

Madam

Viscount Viscount of London
e.g. Viscount of Kelburn[vii]

Viscount London
e.g. Viscount Castlereagh[viii]

Viscount Smith
e.g. Viscount Loftus[ix]

Viscount Smith of London
e.g. Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden[x]

Baron

Lord of Parliament

Lord London
e.g. Lord Brabourne[xi]

Lord Smith
e.g. Lord Maltravers[xii]

Lord Smith of London
e.g. Lord Howard of Effingham[xiii]

Notes:

  1. ^ Some sources do not recommend the use of the definite article before certain courtesy titles (particularly those who have prospects of promotion within the family's titles), but it is not used by official Court publications such as the Court Circular.[25]
  2. ^ If the definite article is not used before courtesy peerages and The Hon Elizabeth Smith marries Sir William Brown, she becomes The Hon Lady Brown, but if she marries the higher-ranked Lord Brown, a courtesy Baron, she becomes only Lady Brown. If this Sir William Brown's father is created Earl of London and Baron Brown, as a result of this ennoblement his wife's style will actually change, from "The Hon Lady Brown" to "Lady Brown". It is important to note that while the style may appear diminished, the precedence taken increases from that of a wife of a knight to that of a wife of an earl's eldest son.

Heirs of Scottish peers

[edit]

Heirs apparent or presumptive of Scottish peers use the titles 'Master' or 'Mistress'; these are substantive, not courtesy titles. If, however, the individual is the eldest son of a Duke, Marquess or Earl, then he uses the appropriate courtesy title, as noted above (except in the case of women), and their son receives the title of 'Master' by courtesy, except when a courtesy title is also due upon him. Wives of Masters receive the style of the wife of a peer (according to rank).[28]

How to address Scottish Masters and Mistresses
Courtesy rank On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals
Scottish Master The Master of Edinburgh
e.g. The Master of Falkland[xiv] 		(Dear) Sir Dear Master of Edinburgh, or more familiarly, Dear (Mr) Smith Master Mr Smith, or more familiarly, Smith [28]
Wife of a Scottish Master The Hon Mrs Smith
e.g. The Hon Mrs Arbuthnott (née Emily Agg-Manning)[xv] 		Madam Dear Mrs Smith Mrs Smith
Scottish Mistress The Mistress of Edinburgh
e.g. The Mistress of Mar[xvi] 		Madam Dear Mistress of Edinburgh Mistress Miss/Mrs Smith/Brown

Sons of peers (and their wives)

[edit]
How to address the sons of peers (and their wives)
Position On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals
Duke's younger son

Marquess' younger son

The Lord Edward Smith
e.g. The Lord Thomas Fitzalan-Howard[xvii] 		My Lord Dear Lord Edward (Smith) My Lord, and thereafter as Sir Lord Edward (Smith) or, more familiarly, Edward [29][30]
Wife of Duke's younger son

Wife of Marquess' younger son

The Lady Edward Smith Madam Dear Lady Edward (Smith) Madam Lady Edward (Smith)
Earl's younger son

Viscount's son

Baron's son

The Hon Edward Smith
e.g. The Hon Ralph Foljambe[xviii] 		Sir Dear Mr Smith Mr (Edward) Smith [31][32][33]
Wife of Earl's younger son

Wife of Viscount's son

Wife of Baron's son

The Hon Mrs Edward Smith Madam Dear Mrs Smith Mrs (Edward) Smith

Daughters of peers

[edit]

If a daughter of a peer or courtesy peer marries another peer or courtesy peer, she takes her husband's rank. If she marries anyone else, she keeps her rank and title, using her husband's surname instead of her maiden name.

How to address the daughters of peers
Position On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals
Duke's daughter

Marquess' daughter

Earl's daughter

If unmarried:

The Lady Rose Smith
e.g. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor[xix]

If married to a commoner:

The Lady Rose Brown
e.g. The Lady Charlotte Santo Domingo (née Wellesley)[xx]

Madam Dear Lady Rose My Lady Lady Rose (Smith/Brown) [34][35][36]
Viscount's daughter

Baron's' daughter

If unmarried:

The Hon Rose Smith or Miss Rose Smith
e.g. The Hon Carol Thatcher[xxi]

If married to a commoner:

The Hon Mrs Brown or Mrs John Brown
e.g. The Hon Mrs Hubbard (née Julia Callaghan)[xxii]

Madam Dear Miss Smith

—

Dear Mrs Brown

Madam Miss Smith

—

Dear Mrs Brown

[37][38]

Widows and former wives of peers

[edit]

Widowed peeress add 'Dowager' before their title, to distinguish themselves from the wife of the successor to the title, though, when there is no such wife, they maintain their title. When there is already a Dowager, they use their forename in place of 'Dowager'.[39] In practice, many widows prefer to use their forename in place of 'Dowager',[40] though they would never assume the style 'Lady Jane, (Duchess) of …', as that would wrongly indicate they are the daughters of Duke, Marquess or Earl. In any case, their legal style continues to be the same, without 'Dowager', even if her formal style is otherwise.[23]

The former wife of a peer may continue to use her title as a peer's wife, preceded by her forename, unless she remarries. Former wives of Dukes lose the style of 'Her Grace', while former wives of other peers lose the style of 'The Most Honourable' (for Marquesses) and 'The Right Honourable'. Former wives of royal peers also lose entitlement to the style of 'Royal Highness' (e.g. Sarah, Duchess of York, Diana Princess of Wales).[41]

How to address widows and former wives of peers
Rank On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social By inferiors By equals

Dowager Duchess

If the existing Duke is unmarried:

Her Grace The Duchess of London
e.g. The Duchess of Grafton

If the existing Duke is married:

Her Grace The Dowager Duchess of London
e.g. The Dowager Duchess of Devonshire

If the widow of the predecessor is still alive:

Her Grace Jane, Duchess of London

Madam Dear Duchess (of London) Your Grace, and thereafter as Ma'am Duchess

Referred to in speech as:
The (Dowager) Duchess of London

[40][13]
Former wife of a Duke Jane, Duchess of London
e.g. Margaret, Duchess of Argyll 		Madam Duchess [42][13]

Dowager Marchioness

The Most Hon The (Dowager) Marchioness … of …

—

The Most Hon Jane, Marchioness … of …

Dear Lady London/Smith My Lady, and thereafter as Ma'am Lady London/Smith

Referred to in speech as:
The (Dowager) Marchioness/Lady London/Smith

[43]
Former wife of a Marquess Jane, Marchioness … of … Lady London/Smith [44]

Dowager Countess

(The Rt Hon) The (Dowager) Countess … of …

—

(The Rt Hon) Jane, Countess … of …

Lady London/Smith

Referred to in speech as:
The (Dowager) Countess/Lady London/Smith

[23]
Former wife of an Earl Jane, Countess … of … Lady London/Smith [45]

Dowager Viscountess

Dowager Baroness

(The Rt Hon) The (Dowager) Lady … of …

—

(The Rt Hon) Jane, Lady … of …

Lady London/Smith

Referred to in speech as:
The (Dowager) Lady London/Smith

[46][47]
Former wife of a Viscount or Baron Jane, Lady … of … Lady London/Smith [48][49]

Gentry and minor nobility[50]

[edit]

Baronetage

[edit]

Knights and Baronets are distinguished by the use of "Bt" (or, archaically, "Bart") after the latter's names (and by the use of the appropriate post-nominal letters if the former are members of an Order of Chivalry).

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Baronet Sir John Smith, Bt (or Bart) Sir or
Dear Sir John (Smith)		 Sir or
Sir John
Baronetess in her own right Dame Mary Smith, Btss Madam or
Dear Dame Mary (Smith)		 Madam or
Dame Mary
Baronet's wife Lady Brown Madam or
Dear Lady Smith		 My Lady or
Lady Smith
Baronet's divorced wife Mary, Lady Brown
Baronet's widow Mary, Lady Brown
Dowager Lady Brown, or
Lady Brown (if the heir incumbent is unmarried)

Scottish barons (nobility title)

[edit]
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Baron (The Much Hon) John Smith, or

(The Much Hon) John Smith, Baron of Edinburgh or
(The Much Hon) The Baron of Edinburgh[51]

Sir or
Dear Edinburgh or
Dear Baron		 Edinburgh or
Baron
Baroness or
Baron's wife		 As baron, substituting "Madam" for first name and
substituting "Baroness" for "Baron", or
Lady Edinburgh[52]		 Madam or
Dear Baroness or
Dear Lady Edinburgh		 Madam or
Baroness or
Lady Edinburgh

Knightage

[edit]
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Knight (of any order) Sir John Smith Sir or
Dear Sir John (Smith)		 Sir or
Sir John
Lady (of the Order of the Garter or the Thistle) Lady Mary Brown Madam or
Dear Lady Mary (Smith)		 My Lady or
Lady Mary
Dame (of an order other than the Garter or the Thistle) Dame Mary Brown Madam or
Dear Dame Mary (Smith)		 Madam or
Dame Mary
Knight's wife Lady Smith Madam or
Dear Lady Smith		 My Lady or
Lady Smith

Seigneurs of Fiefs

[edit]
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Feudal Fief Seigneur The Much Hon John Smith of Fief de Sausmarez
or The Much Hon John Smith,
Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez or
The Much Hon Seigneur of Fief de Sausmarez [51]		 Sir or
Dear Sausmarez or
Dear Sieur		 Sausmarez or
Seigneur or Abbreviated Sieur (Sgr.)
Female Feudal Dame of a Fief or
Feudal Seigneur's wife		 As feudal Seigneur,
substituting "Madam"
for first name and
substituting "Dame" for "Seigneur", or
Dame Sausmarez		 Madam or
Dear Dame or Dear Dame of Sausmarez		 Madam or
Sausmarez or
Dame Sausmarez

Chiefs, chieftains and lairds

[edit]
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Chief, chieftain or laird

(Only lairds recognised in a
territorial designation by
the Lord Lyon)		 John Smith of Smith or
John Smith of Edinburgh
or
John Smith of that Ilk or
The Smith of Smith or
The Smith of Edinburgh or
The Smith[a]
(only the 2nd form of
address above applies
to lairds)		 Sir or
Dear Edinburgh (if placename in title) or
Dear Smith (otherwise)		 Edinburgh (if placename in title) or
Smith (otherwise)
Female Chief, chieftain or laird or
Chief, chieftain or laird's wife		 Chief, chieftain or laird's wife, substituting
"Madam" or "Mrs" for first
name or "The"
or Lady Edinburgh[53][54][55]		 Madam or
as on envelope		 Madam or
as on envelope
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent John Smith of Edinburgh, yr or
John Smith, yr of Edinburgh or
John Smith of Edinburgh
(last only if different first name to father)		 Sir or
Dear Younger of Edinburgh or
Dear Mr Smith of Edinburgh		 Sir or
Young Edinburgh or
The Younger of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent's wife Mrs Smith of Edinburgh, yr or
Mrs Smith, yr of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Dear Mrs Smith of Edinburgh the Younger		 Madam or
Mrs Smith of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s eldest daughter (if none senior) Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Jane Smith, Maid of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Dear Maid of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Miss Smith of Edinburgh or
Maid of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s younger daughter Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh Madam or
Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh		 Madam or
Miss Smith of Edinburgh

Clergy

[edit]

Church of England

[edit]

Similar styles are also applied to clergy of equivalent status in other religious organisations. The words clergy and cleric/clerk are derived from the proper term for bishops, priests and deacons still used in legal documents: Clerk in Holy Orders (e.g. "Vivienne Frances Faull, Clerk in Holy Orders").

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Archbishop The Most Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury/York Dear Archbishop Your Grace or
Archbishop
Diocesan bishop in Privy Council The Rt Revd and Rt Hon The Lord Bishop of London Dear Bishop My Lord or
Bishop
Bishop, diocesan or suffragan The Rt Revd The Lord Bishop of Durham Dear Bishop My Lord or
Bishop
Dean The Very Revd The Dean of York Dear Mr/Madam Dean Dean or
Mr/Madam Dean
Archdeacon The Ven The Archdeacon of London Dear Archdeacon Archdeacon
Prebendary The Revd Prebendary Smith Dear Prebendary Smith Prebend
Canon The Revd Canon John Smith Dear Canon Canon
Priest The Revd John Smith Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or
Vicar/Rector/Prebendary/Curate/Chaplain etc. as applicable
Deacon The Revd Deacon John Smith or
The Revd John Smith
Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or
Dear Deacon Smith		 Deacon Smith or Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith

Church of Scotland

[edit]

The Church of Scotland, as a Presbyterian church, recognizes state-awarded titles only as courtesy. In court (assembly, presbytery and session) a person may only be addressed as Mr, Mrs, Miss, Dr, Prof, etc. depending on academic achievement. Thus ministers are correctly addressed as, for example, Mr Smith or Mrs Smith unless they have a higher degree or academic appointment e.g. Dr Smith or Prof. Smith. It is 'infra dig' to use the style 'Rev' and even the use of 'the Rev Mr' requires sensitivity to official style.

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address
Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly His Grace The Lord High Commissioner Your Grace Your Grace or Sir/Ma'am
Clergy The Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.
Current Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Right Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.
Former Moderators of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Very Rev John Smith Dear Mr Smith Mr Smith/Dr Smith etc.

Judiciary

[edit]

United Kingdom

[edit]
See also: Judge § United Kingdom

Justices of the Supreme Court are accorded the style of 'Lord' or 'Lady' by Warrant for life.[56] Justices who are peers distinguish themselves by adding the preposition 'The' before their title. If their rank in the peerage is higher than that of a Baron, then the appropiate title is used instead.[57]

Office or position On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social In court Out of court
The Lord Chancellor
(formerly) 		The Rt Hon The Lord Chancellor My Lord or My Lady Dear Lord Chancellor My Lord or My Lady Lord Chancellor [58]
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The President of the Supreme Court The Rt Hon The President of the Supreme Court

—

The Rt Hon (The) Lord/Lady Smith

My Lord or My Lady Dear Lord/Lady Smith My Lord or My Lady Lord/Lady Smith [59]
The Deputy President of the Supreme Court The Rt Hon The Deputy President of the Supreme Court

—

The Rt Hon (The) Lord/Lady Smith

Justice of the Supreme Court The Rt Hon (The) Lord/Lady Smith [59]

England and Wales

[edit]

A judge's first name only forms part of their judicial style if, at the time of their appointment, there is a senior judge with the same or a similar surname. Thus, if there is a "Mr Justice Smith", subsequent judges will be "Mr Justice John Smith", "Mrs Justice Jane Smith", etc. High Court Judges and above who are Queen's Counsels do not use the post-nominal letters following appointment or after retirement, though all other judicial officers attach the corresponding letters after their name. 'Mrs' is used whether married or single, though some High Court justices have chosen to style themselves as 'Ms Justice'.

Office or position On envelope or invitation In writting In speech Ref.
Formal Social In court Out of court
The Lord Chief Justice The Rt Hon The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Dear Lord Chief Justice, or Dear Lord … My Lord, or Lord Chief Justice Lord … [60]
The Master of the Rolls The Rt Hon The Master of the Rolls
(for judicial matters)
—
The Rt Hon Sir John Smith,
or The Rt Hon The Lord …
(for private matters, as appropiate) 		Dear Master of the Rolls, Dear Sir John or Dear Lord … My Lord, or Master of the Rolls Sir John or Lord … [61][57]
Her Majesty's Court of Appeal in England
Lord Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Lord Justice (John) Smith

—

The Rt Hon Sir John Smith
(after retirement)

Dear Lord Justice Dear Sir John My Lord, or His Lordship

Referred to in speech as:
The Lord Justice

My Lord [62]
Lady Justice of Appeal The Rt Hon Lady Justice (Jane) Smith, DBE

—

The Rt Hon Dame Jane Smith, DBE
(after retirement)

Dear Lady Justice Dear Dame Jane My Lady, or Her Ladyship

Referred to in speech as:
The Lady Justice

My Lady
Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice in England
Male High Court judge The Hon Mr Justice (John) Smith
(for judicial matters)

—

The Hon Sir John Smith
(for private matters)

Dear Judge, Dear Mr Justice Smith, or My Lord Dear Sir John My Lord

Referred to in speech as:
Mr Justice Smith

Sir John [63][64]
Female High Court judge The Hon Mrs/Ms Justice (Jane) Smith
(for judicial matters)

—

The Hon Dame Jane Smith, DBE
(for private matters)

Dear Judge, Dear Mrs/Ms Justice Smith, or My Lady Dear Dame Jane My Lady

Referred to in speech as:
Mrs/Ms Justice Smith

Dame Jane
Circuit Judge sitting as a High Court judge His/Her Honour Judge (Jamie) Smith Dear Judge — My Lord or My Lady Judge —
Master Master (Jamie) Smith Dear Master — Master [57]
Insolvency and Companies Court Judge (Insolvency and Companies Court) Judge (Jamie) Smith Dear Judge — Judge
Junior courts
Circuit judge His/Her Honour Judge (Jamie) Smith
(as appropiate)

—

His/Her Honour Jamie Smith
(after retirement, as appropiate)

Dear Judge — Your Honour Judge [65]
Recorder Mr/Mrs Recorder (Jamie) Judge — —
District judge District Judge (Jamie) Smith Dear Judge, or Dear Sir/Madam — Sir/Madam
(as appropiate) 		Judge [66][57]
Justice of the Peace
(Magistrate) 		Jamie Smith, JP — Sir/Madam, or Your Worship — [67]

Scotland

[edit]
Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In court
Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord President of the Court of Session/Lord Justice General of Scotland Lord President/Lord Justice General Lord President/Lord Justice General My Lord/Lady
Lord Justice Clerk The Rt Hon (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord Justice Clerk Lord Justice Clerk Lord Justice Clerk My Lord/Lady
Senator of the College of Justice and the Chairman of the Scottish Land Court The Hon./Rt Hon. (the) Lord/Lady Smith Lord/Lady Smith Lord/Lady Smith My Lord/Lady
Sheriff principal Sheriff Principal Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Principal Smith Sheriff Principal Smith My Lord/Lady
Sheriff Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Smith Sheriff Smith My Lord/Lady
Summary sheriff Sheriff Smith (QC should be added where applicable) Sheriff Smith Sheriff Smith My Lord/Lady
Justice of the Peace Mr John/Mrs Mary Smith Mr/Mrs Smith Mr/Mrs Smith Your Honour[68]

Academics

[edit]

The forms of address used for academics can, in most cases, be either formal or social.[69][70]

Position On envelopes Salutation in letter Oral address In conversation
Chancellor (formal) The Chancellor of [university name] Dear Chancellor Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name and title The Chancellor or by name
Chancellor (social) [Name].[b] Chancellor of [university name] By name By name or Chancellor The Chancellor or by name
Vice-Chancellor (formal) The Vice-Chancellor of [university name][c] Dear Sir/Madam/Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name The Vice-Chancellor or by name
Vice-Chancellor (social) [Name],[d] Vice-Chancellor of [university name] By name or Dear Vice-Chancellor Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name The Vice-Chancellor or by name
Professor (formal) Professor Jane Smith[e] Dear Sir/Madam Professor Smith Professor Smith
Professor (social) Professor Jane Smith Dear Professor Smith Professor Smith Professor Smith
Doctor (formal)[f] Dr Jane Smith or The Revd John Smith DD or Susan Brown MD or Tom Brown PhD, etc.[g] Dear Sir/Madam Dr Smith Dr Smith
Doctor (social)[f] Dr Jane Smith Dear Dr Smith Dr Smith Dr Smith

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

Family relations

[edit]
  1. ^ Son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, son of Prince George, Prince of Wales.
  2. ^ Daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, son of Queen Elizabeth II.
  3. ^ Eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough.
  4. ^ Eldest son of the Duke of Montrose.
  5. ^ Eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk.
  6. ^ Eldest son of the Marquess of Bristol.
  7. ^ Eldest son of the Earl of Glasgow.
  8. ^ Eldest son of the Marquess of Londonderry.
  9. ^ Eldest son of the the Marquess of Ely.
  10. ^ Eldest son of the Earl of Stockton.
  11. ^ Eldest son of the Earl Mountbatten of Burma.
  12. ^ Eldest son of the eldest son of the Duke of Norfolk.
  13. ^ Eldest son of the Earl of Effingham.
  14. ^ Heir apparent to the Viscount Falkland.
  15. ^ Married to the Master of Arbuthnott, heir apparent to the 17th Viscount of Arbuthnott.
  16. ^ Heiress presumptive to the Countess of Mar.
  17. ^ Son of the 18th Duke of Norfolk.
  18. ^ Son of the 5th Earl of Liverpool.
  19. ^ Daughter of the Earl of Wessex.
  20. ^ Daughter of the 9th Duke of Wellington, married to Alejandro Santo Domingo.
  21. ^ Daughter of the Baroness Thatcher.
  22. ^ Daughter of The Lord Callaghan of Cardiff, married Ian Hamilton Hubbard.

Other notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The exact form of a Scottish chief's style varies from family to family, and is generally based on tradition rather than formal rules.
  2. ^ This is the full name and title as it would be according to the rules elsewhere on this page, e.g. The Viscount London, Sir John Smith, KBE, Professor Jane Doe, Dr Tom Brown.
  3. ^ Check official title for the university concerned: The Reverend the Vice-Chancellor (Oxford) The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor (Cambridge), The Vice-Chancellor and Warden (Durham), The President and Provost (UCL), etc.
  4. ^ Title
  5. ^ If a professor holds an ecclesiastical rank this, strictly speaking, supersedes the academic rank. However, the academic style may still be used within academia and the two can be combined, e.g. as The Reverend Professor Jane Smith. If a professor holds a peerage or a knighthood, this title can be combined, e.g. Professor Lord Smith, Professor Sir John Smith, Professor Dame Jane Smith.
  6. ^ a b The forms off address for a doctor applies to "the recipient of a doctorate conferred by a university or other body, such as the Council for National Academic Awards", not just those working in academia. The exception is surgeons, who are never addressed as Doctor even if they hold a doctorate.
  7. ^ Doctorates in divinity and medicine are always given as letters after the name, and this form may optionally be used for doctorates in other faculties. If "Dr" is used before the name, degrees are not given after it.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Baron and Baroness". Debrett's. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  2. ^ Barker, L. Mary, ed. (1957–58). Pears Cyclopedia (66th ed.). Isleworth, Middlesex: A. & F. Pears Limited. pp. 649–650. Modes of Address to Persons of Rank
  3. ^ "Writing to the Royal Family". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Only close personal friends would write to a member of the Royal Family direct. All other correspondents should write to the private secretary, the equerry or to the lady in waiting.
  4. ^ "Greeting a Member of The Royal Family". Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Contact (How to write to The Queen)". Retrieved 18 December 2021. If you wish to write a formal letter, you can open with 'Madam' and close the letter with the form 'I have the honour to be, Madam, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant'.
  6. ^ a b c "Whitehall, 11th December, 1917". The London Gazette. No. 30428. 14 December 1917. p. 13086. The KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the 30th ultimo, to define the styles and titles to be borne henceforth by members of the Royal Family. It is declared by the Letters Patent that the children of any Sovereign of the United Kingdom and the children of the sons of any such Sovereign and the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales shall have and at all times hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness with their titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their respective Christian names or with their other titles of honour; that save as aforesaid the titles of Royal Highness, Highness or Serene Highness, and the titular dignity of Prince and Princess shall cease except those titles already granted and remaining unrevoked; and that the grandchildren of the sons of any such Sovereign in the direct male line (save only the eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) shall have the style and title enjoyed by the children of Dukes.
  7. ^ "Crown Office". The London Gazette. No. 60384. 8 January 2013. p. 213. The Queen has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 31 December 2012 to declare that all the children of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales should have and enjoy the style, title and attribute of Royal Highness with the titular dignity of Prince or Princess prefixed to their Christian names or with such other titles of honour.
  8. ^ "The Royal Title that Camilla and Princess Diana Shared". Harper's Bazaar. 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 3 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019. When she married Prince Charles, "Camilla was not popular or well liked, [though] this has changed a lot since the marriage as Camilla has taken on a lot of patronages and Charles is a lot happier," [Marlene] Koenig says. "Still, [there was] a lot of tension and anger among a certain element of the population—so it was decided that Camilla would be styled as the Duchess of Cornwall, even though, of course, she is the Princess of Wales."
  9. ^ "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall – Titles and Heraldry". Official website. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Title of HRH The Prince Edward". 19 June 1999. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. The Queen has also decided, with the agreement of The Prince Edward and Miss Rhys-Jones, that any children they might have should not be given the style His or Her Royal Highness, but would have courtesy titles as sons or daughters of an Earl.
  11. ^ "Buckingham Palace". 15 June 2006. The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh this morning attended the Thanksgiving Service in St. Paul's Cathedral for Her Majesty's Eightieth Birthday. […] Prince and Princess Michael of Kent with The Lord Frederick Windsor and The Lady Gabriella Windsor […] also attended.
  12. ^ "Duke and Duchess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Correct Use (22 ed.). Bloomsbury Publishing. 2007.
  14. ^ "Marquess and Marchioness". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  15. ^ "Earl and Countess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  16. ^ a b "Viscount and Viscountess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 12 March 2016 suggested (help)
  17. ^ a b "Baron and Baroness". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  18. ^ a b c Velde, François. "The Style of Prince outside the Royal Family". www.heraldica.org. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  19. ^ "No. 43264". The London Gazette. 6 March 1964. p. 2169.
  20. ^ "No. 62855". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 13 December 2019. p. 214.
  21. ^ Home Office (30 January 2021). "Titles: Guidance for Her Majesty's Passport Office operational staff on how to add and record titles and observations on a passport (Version 7.0)" (PDF). p. 10. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  22. ^ "Baroness in her own right". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. A countess in her own right is addressed in the same way as an earl's wife, but a baroness, whether hereditary or life, has the option of two alternatives, 'Baroness' or 'Lady'.
    Since the Peerage Act 1963, and the growing numbers of female life peers, the use of the continental style of 'Baroness', both verbally and in writing, has become widespread. Most baronesses in their own right, however, prefer to be styled 'Lady', and the same is true of a minority of life baronesses.
  23. ^ a b c "Widow of an Earl". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  24. ^ a b Valentine, Heywood (1951). British Titles: The Use and Misuse of the Titles of Peers and Commoners, with Some Historical Notes (1 ed.). Adam and Charles Black.
  25. ^ "Buckingham Palace". 1 November 2000. The Duke of Norfolk KG (Earl Marshal) was received by The Queen this morning when Her Majesty invested him with the Royal Victorian Chain. Earl of Arundel and Surrey was received by The Queen upon his appointment as Deputy Earl Marshal.
  26. ^ "Titles by Courtesy". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  27. ^ "Peerages by Courtesy". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  28. ^ a b "The Scottish Title of Master". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Sons of a Duke". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  30. ^ "Sons of a Marquess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  31. ^ "Sons of an Earl". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  32. ^ "Sons of a Viscount". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  33. ^ "Sons of a Baron". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  34. ^ "Daughters of a Duke". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  35. ^ "Daughters of a Marquess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  36. ^ "Daughters of an Earl". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  37. ^ "Daughters of a Viscount". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  38. ^ "Daughters of a Baron". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  39. ^ Montague-Smith, Patrick (1992). Debrett's Correct Form (rev. ed.). London: Headline Book Publishing. Officially the widow of a peer is known as the Dowager Countess (or whatever) of X, unless there is already a dowager peeress of the family still living. In the latter event, the widow of the senior peer of the family retains the title of Dowager for life, and the widow of the junior peer in that family is known by her Christian name, e.g., Mary, Countess of X, until she becomes the senior widow. […] When the present peer is unmarried, by custom the widow of the late peer continues to call herself as she did when her husband was living, i.e., without the prefix of (a) dowager, or (b) her Christian name. Should the present peer marry, it is usual for the widowed peeress to announce the style by which she wishes to be know in future.
  40. ^ a b "Widow of a Duke". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  41. ^ "Buckingham Palace". The London Gazette. No. 54510. 30 August 1996. p. 11603. The QUEEN has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 21st August 1996, to declare that a former wife (other than a widow until she shall remarry) of a son of a Sovereign of these Realms, of a son of a son of a Sovereign and of the eldest living son of the eldest son of The Prince of Wales shall not be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness.
  42. ^ "Former Wife of a Duke". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  43. ^ "Widow of a Marquess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016.
  44. ^ "Former Wife of a Marquess". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.
  45. ^ "Former Wife of an Earl". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016.
  46. ^ "Widow of a Viscount". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  47. ^ "Widow of a Baron". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  48. ^ "Former Wife of a Viscount". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  49. ^ "Former Wife of a Hereditary Baron". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  50. ^ Ruling of the Court of the Lord Lyon (26/2/1948, Vol. IV, page 26): 'With regard to the words 'untitled nobility' employed in certain recent birthbrieves in relation to the (Minor) Baronage of Scotland, Finds and Declares that the (Minor) Barons of Scotland are, and have been both in this nobiliary Court and in the Court of Session recognised as a ‘titled nobility’ and that the estait of the Baronage (i.e. Barones Minores) are of the ancient Feudal Nobility of Scotland’. This title is not, however, in and of itself a peerage title, and nobility, or the noblesse, in Scotland incorporates the concept of gentry in England.
  51. ^ a b "Debrett's Forms of Address for Scottish feudal barons". Archived from the original on 2013-07-25.
  52. ^ "The Convention of the Baronage of Scotland".
  53. ^ Frank Adams (1952) The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands
  54. ^ Titles and Forms of Address. Bloomsbury Publishing. 31 January 2007. ISBN 9781408148129. Retrieved 26 January 2016. The widow of a chief or laird continues to use the territorial style and the prefix Dowager may be used in the same circumstances … In rural Scotland (laird's) wives are often styled Lady, though not legally except in the case of the wives of chiefs.
  55. ^ Adam, Frank (1970). The Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands. Genealogical Publishing Com, 1970 - Page 410. ISBN 9780806304489. Retrieved 26 January 2016. In personal letters…(The) old pre-fix of a laird or chief was "The Much Honoured"…where husband and wife are referred to, the correct styles are "Glenfalloch and the Lady Glenfalloch"
  56. ^ "Warrants Under the Royal Sign Manual". The London Gazette. No. 59746. 1 April 2011. pp. 6177–6178.
  57. ^ a b c d "What do I call a judge?". www.judiciary.uk.
  58. ^ "Lord Chancellor". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  59. ^ a b "The Supreme Court". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  60. ^ "Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  61. ^ "Master of the Rolls". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  62. ^ "Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  63. ^ "High Court Judge". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  64. ^ Jacob, Robin. "How to address Judges and others" (PDF). Gray's Inn.
  65. ^ "Circuit Judge". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
  66. ^ "District Judge". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016.
  67. ^ "Justice of the Peace". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  68. ^ "Justices of the Peace".
  69. ^ "Academics". A to Z. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  70. ^ "Academics". Forms of Address. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Peerage:
    • Titles and Forms of Address (3 ed.). A. & C. Black Ltd. 1932.
    • Buss, Robert William, ed. (1850). The Almanack of the Fine Arts (1 ed.). London: George Rowney and Company. p. 165.
[edit]


Category:Titles in the United Kingdom Category:British culture Category:United Kingdom-related lists United Kingdom United Kingdom

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:MaximusWikipedian/Forms_of_address_in_the_United_Kingdom&oldid=1097609946"