Forms of address in the United Kingdom
Forms of address used in the United Kingdom evolve in custom with societal change. Correct forms of address in current usage are detailed below.
Terminology
[edit]Abbreviations
[edit]Several terms have been abbreviated in the tables below. The forms of address used in the table are given first, followed by alternative acceptable abbreviations in parentheses. The punctuation of each abbreviation can vary such as, for example, "The Right Honourable": The Gazette favours "The Rt. Hon.", with some HMG circulars now preferring "The Rt Hon." or "The Rt Hon".
- His/Her Majesty: HM (pl. TM)
- His/Her Royal Highness: HRH (pl. TRH)
- His/Her Grace: HG (pl. TG)
- The Most Honourable: The Most Hon. (The Most Honble)
- The Right Honourable: The Rt Hon. (The Rt Honble)
- The Honourable: The Hon. (The Honble)
- The Much Honoured: The Much Hon. (The Much Hon'd)
- The Most Reverend: The Most Rev. (The Most Revd or Most Rev'd)
- The Right Reverend: The Rt Rev. (The Rt Revd or Rt Rev'd)
- The Very Reverend: The Very Rev. (The Very Revd or Very Rev'd)
- The Venerable: The Ven. (The Venble)
- The Reverend: The Rev. (The Revd or Rev'd)
"The Most Noble", which is shortened from "The Most High, Potent, and Noble",[1] is rarely used nowadays for Dukes and Duchesses; when used, the forenames of the such noblemen can be used after "His Grace" but before "The Duke of [...]".[2] This style can sometimes be used without "His Grace".[3]
The prefix of "Right Honourable" has been discontinued by the House of Lords for those not sworn of the Privy Council, being replaced by HMG with the suffix "PC" (to denote Privy Counsellor).[4]
Names and territorial designations
[edit]In the tables below, "Mary Brown" nominally represents a woman who married "John Brown", while "Jane Smith" represents an unmarried woman.
- "London" nominally represents the territorial designation of any peerage
- "Edinburgh" represents any territorial designation in Scotland
- "Birmingham" represents any manor in England or Wales
- "John" and "William" represent any male name
- "Jane" and "Mary" represent any female name
- "Smith" and "Brown" represent any surname, regardless of gender.
Royalty
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | HM The King | Your Majesty | Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Sir" (or the archaic "Sire") |
| Queen | HM The Queen | Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Ma'am" (to rhyme with "jam")[5][6] | |
| Prince of Wales | HRH The Prince of Wales HRH The Duke of Rothesay (in Scotland) |
Your Royal Highness | Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir" (for males) or "Ma'am" (for females) |
| Princess of Wales | HRH The Princess of Wales HRH The Duchess of Rothesay (in Scotland) | ||
| Princess Royal | HRH The Princess Royal | ||
| Royal Peer | HRH The Duke/etc. of London, e.g. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh | ||
| Royal Peeress | HRH The Duchess/etc. of London, e.g. HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh | ||
| Sovereign's son (unless a Peer) Spouse of the Sovereign suo jure |
HRH The Prince John | ||
| Sovereign's son's wife | HRH The Princess John | ||
| Sovereign's daughter (unless a Peeress) |
HRH The Princess Mary | ||
| Sons of the Prince of Wales (unless a Peer) |
HRH Prince John of Wales, e.g. HRH Prince George of Wales | ||
| Daughters of the Prince of Wales (unless a Peeress) |
HRH Princess Mary of Wales, e.g. HRH Princess Charlotte of Wales | ||
| Sovereign's son's son Prince of Wales's eldest son's sons (unless a Peer) |
HRH Prince John of London, e.g. HRH Prince Michael of Kent | ||
| Sovereign's son's son's wife | HRH Princess John of London, e.g. HRH Princess Michael of Kent | ||
| Sovereign's son's daughter Prince of Wales's eldest son's daughters if unmarried (unless a Peeress) |
HRH Princess Mary of London, e.g. HRH Princess Lilibet of Sussex | ||
| Sovereign's son's daughter Prince of Wales's eldest son's daughters if married (unless a Peeress) |
HRH Princess Mary, Mrs John Brown, e.g. HRH Princess Beatrice, Mrs Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi | ||
| Sovereign's son's son's son (unless a Peer) (except sons of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) |
The Lord John Windsor, e.g. The Lord Nicholas Windsor |
Dear Lord John | Lord John |
| Sovereign's son's son's son's wife | The Lady John Windsor, e.g. The Lady Nicholas Windsor |
Dear Lady John | Lady John |
| Sovereign's son's son's daughter (unless a Peeress) (except daughters of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales) |
The Lady Mary Windsor, e.g. The Lady Helen Taylor |
Dear Lady Mary | Lady Mary |
Nobility
[edit]The particle of has been omitted in the title creation of some marquessates and earldoms and included in the form of various Scottish viscountcies; it rarely forms part of baronage titles or those of Lord of Parliament, though is always present in dukedoms and Scottish feudal baronies.
The as a definite article in between two or more titles is sometimes capitalized, as in these tables. However this is controversial: traditional British etiquette guides use the lower-case the. By way of example, Debrett's Correct Form gives "Major-General the Lord ...",[7] and Pears' Cyclopaedia's section on Modes of Address also cites several examples where the definite article anterior to a list of honours is lower-case.[8]
Peers and peeresses
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter[a] | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | (The Most Noble) (His Grace) The Duke of London | My Lord Duke or Dear Duke (of London) |
Your Grace or Duke[9] |
| Duchess | (The Most Noble) (Her Grace) The Duchess of London | Madam or Dear Duchess (of London) |
Your Grace or Duchess[10] |
| Marquess | (The Most Hon.) The Marquess (of) London | My Lord Marquess or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London |
| Marchioness | (The Most Hon.) The Marchioness (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady[11] or Your Ladyship or Lady London |
| Earl | The Earl (of) London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London |
| Countess | The Countess (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady[11] or Your Ladyship or Lady London |
| Viscount | The Viscount (of) London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London |
| Viscountess | The Viscountess (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady[11] or Your Ladyship or Lady London |
| Baron Lord of Parliament |
The Lord London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London |
| Baroness (in her own right) | The Baroness London or The Lady London[b] |
Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady[11] or Your Ladyship or Lady London |
| Baroness (in her husband's right) Lady of Parliament (in her own or husband's right) |
The Lady London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady[11] or Your Ladyship or Lady London |
Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls
[edit]Eldest sons of Dukes, Marquesses and Earls can use their father's most senior subsidiary title by courtesy, without "The" before the title.[c] Where applicable, eldest sons of courtesy marquesses or courtesy earls also use a lower-ranking subsidiary title from their (great) grandfather. Eldest daughters not in remainder to a peerage do not use courtesy subsidiary titles; courtesy subsidiary titles borne by women are wives of peerage title heirs.[d]
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtesy marquess | Marquess (of) London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Lord London |
| Courtesy marquess's wife | Marchioness (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady or Lady London |
| Courtesy earl | Earl (of) London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Lord London |
| Courtesy earl's wife | Countess (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady or Lady London |
| Courtesy viscount | Viscount (of) London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Lord London |
| Courtesy viscount's wife | Viscountess (of) London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady or Lady London |
| Courtesy baron Courtesy Lord of Parliament |
Lord London | My Lord or Dear Lord London |
My Lord or Lord London |
| Courtesy baron's wife Courtesy Lord of Parliament's wife |
Lady London | Madam or Dear Lady London |
My Lady or Lady London |
Heirs to Scottish peerages
[edit]The heir apparent or presumptive of Scottish peers use the titles "Master" and "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.
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish peerage heir apparent or heir presumptive |
The Master of Edinburgh | Sir or Dear Master of Edinburgh |
Sir or Master |
| Scottish peerage heiress apparent or heiress presumptive |
The Mistress of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Mistress of Edinburgh |
Madam or Mistress |
Male offspring of peers
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke's younger son (Courtesy) Marquess's younger son |
The Lord John Smith | My Lord or Dear Lord John (Smith) |
My Lord or Lord John |
| Duke's younger son's wife (Courtesy) Marquess's younger son's wife |
The Lady John Smith | Madam or Dear Lady John |
My Lady or Lady John |
| (Courtesy) Earl's younger son (Courtesy) Viscount's son (Courtesy) Baron's son (Courtesy) Lord of Parliament's son |
The Hon. John Smith | Sir or Dear Mr Smith |
Sir or Mr Smith |
| (Courtesy) Earl's younger son's wife (Courtesy) Viscount's son's wife (Courtesy) Baron's son's wife (Courtesy) Lord of Parliament's son's wife |
The Hon. Mrs John Smith | Madam or Dear Mrs Smith |
Madam or Mrs Smith |
Female offspring 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.
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke's daughter (Courtesy) Marquess's daughter (Courtesy) Earl's daughter (unmarried or married to a commoner) |
The Lady Mary Smith (if unmarried), The Lady Mary Brown (husband's surname, if married) |
Madam or Dear Lady Mary |
My Lady or Lady Mary |
| (Courtesy) Viscount's daughter (Courtesy) Baron's daughter (Courtesy) Lord of parliament's daughter (unmarried) |
The Hon. Mary Smith | Madam or Dear Miss Smith |
Madam or Miss Smith |
| (Courtesy) Viscount's daughter (Courtesy) Baron's daughter (Courtesy) Lord of Parliament's daughter (married to a commoner) |
The Hon. Mrs Brown (husband's surname) | Madam or Dear Mrs Brown |
Madam or Mrs Brown |
Minor nobility and gentry
[edit]The honorary prefix of "Sir" is accorded to knights and baronets, the latter being hereditary and distinguished by the use of "Bt" (or, archaically, "Bart") after their surname (and by any post-nominal letters for additional honours). Esquires are distinguished by the use of "Esq" except in the case of a Scottish laird, whose territorial designation indicates equivalence in rank.[14]
Baronets
[edit]| 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 Brown |
My Lady or Lady Brown |
| 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
[edit]Barons in Scotland are non-peerage noble titles in the baronage of Scotland. The Scottish equivalent to peerage barons is Lord of Parliament.
| [15][16][17] | Baron | Baroness or Baron's wife |
|---|---|---|
| Envelope | (The Much Hon.) John Smith [of Edinburgh], Baron of Edinburgh or
(The Much Hon.) (The) Baron of Edinburgh (Incorrect: Baron Edinburgh) |
(The Much Hon.) Jane Smith, Baroness of Edinburgh or
(The Much Hon.) (The) Baroness of Edinburgh or (The) Lady Edinburgh |
| Salutation in a letter | Dear Baron (of Edinburgh) or Dear Edinburgh |
Dear Baroness (of Edinburgh) or
Dear Lady Edinburgh ("Dear Baroness Edinburgh" is incorrect) |
| Invitation / Place Card / Introduction | The Baron of Edinburgh
Together: The Baron of Edinburgh and Lady Edinburgh |
The Baroness of Edinburgh or
Lady Edinburgh |
| Oral address | Baron or
Edinburgh |
Baroness or
Lady Edinburgh[16] |
| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish baron's heir | The Younger of Edinburgh | Sir or Dear Younger of Edinburgh |
Sir or Master |
| Scottish baron's heiress | The Maid of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Maid of Edinburgh |
Madam or Mistress |
| Scottish baron's heir's wife | Mrs Smith, yr of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Mrs Smith, Younger of Edinburgh |
Madam or Mrs Smith |
| Scottish baron's heir's wife
(with recognised territorial designation) |
Mrs Smith of Edinburgh, yr | Madam or Dear Mrs Smith of Edinburgh the Younger |
Madam or Mrs Smith of Edinburgh |
| Scottish baron's younger daughters
(with recognised territorial designation) |
Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh | Madam or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
Madam or Miss Smith of Edinburgh |
Knights and dames
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knight (Bachelor or Order) | Sir John Smith | Sir or Dear Sir John (Smith) |
Sir or Sir John |
| Lady (of the Garter or the Thistle) |
Lady Mary Brown | Madam or Dear Lady Mary (Smith) |
My Lady or Lady Mary |
| Dame (of other Orders) | 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 (Channel Islands)
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feudal Seigneur | The Much Hon. John Smith of the fief de Sausmarez or The Much Hon. John Smith, Seigneur of the fief de Sausmarez or The Much Hon. Seigneur of the fief de Sausmarez [15] |
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[e] (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[18][19][20] |
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 |
Lords of the manor (England and Wales)
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord of the Manor | John Brown, lord of the manor of Birmingham[21] or Lord of the manor of Birmingham or John Brown, Esq |
Sir or Dear Lord of the manor of Birmingham |
Sir or Lord of the manor |
| Lady of the Manor | Jane Brown, lady of the manor of Birmingham[21] or Lady of the manor of Birmingham |
Madam or Dear Lady of the manor of Birmingham |
Madam or Lady of the manor |
Clergy
[edit]Church of England
[edit]Similar styles are also applied to clergy of equivalent status in other religious denominations. 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"). Clergy in the Church of England are not nowadays addressed as "Revd (Surname)".[22]
| 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/Lady Bishop or Bishop |
| Bishop, diocesan or suffragan | The Rt Revd the Bishop of Dover | Dear Bishop | My Lord/Lady 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 Preb. John Smith | Dear Prebendary Smith | Prebendary or Prebend |
| Canon | The Revd Canon John Smith | Dear Canon | Canon |
| Priest | The Revd John Smith or The Revd Mr John Smith or The Revd Dr John Smith (if applicable) |
Dear Dr/Mr/Ms Smith | Dr/Mr/Ms Smith or Rector/Vicar/Prebendary/Curate/Chaplain 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 denomination, recognizes state-awarded titles only by 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]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage | The Right Honourable the Lord Smith | The Lord Smith | Lord Smith | My Lord[23] |
| Male Justice of the Supreme Court | The Right Honourable Lord Smith | Lord Smith | Lord Smith | My Lord[23] |
| Female Justice of the Supreme Court holding a peerage | The Right Honourable the Lady Smith | The Lady Smith | Lady Smith | My Lady[23] |
| Female Justice of the Supreme Court | The Right Honourable Lady Smith | Lady Smith | Lady Smith | My Lady[23] |
England and Wales
[edit]| Position | On envelopes | Salutation in letter | Oral address | In court |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Chief Justice | The Rt Hon. the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales | Lord Chief Justice | Lord Chief Justice | My Lord[24] |
| Male Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon. Lord Justice (John) Smith | Lord Justice | Lord Justice | My Lord |
| Retired male Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon. Sir John Smith | Judge or Sir John | Sir John | My Lord |
| Female Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon. Lady Justice (Mary) Smith | Lady Justice | Lady Justice | My Lady |
| Retired female Lord Justice of Appeal | The Rt Hon. Dame Mary Smith | Judge or Dame Mary | Dame Mary | My Lady |
| Male High Court Judge | The Hon. Mr Justice (John) Smith | Judge | Judge | My Lord |
| Retired male High Court Judge | Sir John Smith | Judge or Sir John | Sir John | My Lord |
| Female High Court Judge | The Hon. Mrs Justice (Mary) Smith | Judge | Judge | My Lady |
| Retired female High Court Judge | Dame Mary Smith | Judge or Dame Mary | Dame Mary | My Lady |
| High Court Master | Master (John) Smith (KC, if applicable) | Master | Master[f] | Master[f] |
| Insolvency & Companies Court Judge | Insolvency & Companies Court Judge (John) Smith (KC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Judge |
| Circuit Judge[g] | His Honour Judge (John) Smith (KC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Your Honour |
| Retired Circuit Judge | His/Her Honour Mr (or Mrs) Smith | HH John/Jane Smith | Judge | Your Honour |
| Recorder | Mr (or Mrs) Recorder Smith (KC, if applicable) | Judge | Judge | Your Honour |
| District Judge | District Judge (John) Smith (KC, if applicable) | Judge | Sir or Madam | Sir or Madam |
| Justice of the Peace/Magistrate | Mr John Smith, JP | Mr Smith | Mr Smith, Sir or Madam[25][26] | Your Worship, Sir or Madam (if Chair of the Bench)[25][27][26] |
| Chancellor of a diocese (ecclesiastical) | The Worshipful Mr (or Mrs) Smith (KC, if applicable) | Chancellor | Chancellor | Your Worship |
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 Mary Smith", etc. High Court Judges and above who are King's Counsel do not use the post-nominal letters following appointment or after retirement.
A member of the Bar (but not a solicitor) addresses a Circuit Judge or higher, out of court, as "Judge".
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 (KC, as applicable) | Sheriff Principal Smith | Sheriff Principal Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Sheriff | Sheriff Smith (KC, as applicable) | Sheriff Smith | Sheriff Smith | My Lord/Lady |
| Summary Sheriff | Sheriff Smith (KC, as 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[28] |
Academics
[edit]The forms of address for academics can interchange socially and formally, although in formal use their surnames are suffixed in order of national honour, academic degree, fellowship(s).[29][30]
| 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],[h] Chancellor of [University name] | By name | By name or Chancellor | The Chancellor or by name |
| Vice-Chancellor (formal) | The Vice-Chancellor of [University name][i] | Dear Sir/Madam/Vice-Chancellor | Vice-Chancellor (if on a platform) or by name | The Vice-Chancellor or by name |
| Vice-Chancellor (social) | [Name],[j] 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[k] | Dear Sir/Madam | Professor Smith | Professor Smith |
| Professor (social) | Professor Jane Smith | Dear Professor Smith | Professor Smith | Professor Smith |
| Doctor (formal)[l] | Dr Jane Smith or The Revd John Smith DD or Mrs/Ms Susan Brown MD, FRCS or Tom Brown DSc, FRS etc.[m] | Dear Sir/Madam | Dr Smith | Dr Smith |
| Doctor (social)[l] | Dr Jane Smith | Dear Dr Smith | Dr Smith | Dr Smith |
See also
[edit]- Noble titles
- Diplomatic rank
- Military rank
- List of post-nominal letters (United Kingdom)
- Orders of precedence in the United Kingdom
- Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom
Notes
[edit]- ^ The forms given under "Salutation in Letter" are for use in social correspondence only. In formal letters, "Sir" or "Madam" would be used instead.
- ^ Nowadays it is more common to use the form of "The Baroness (of) X" when addressing a baroness in her own right, instead of the more archaric form of "The Lady (of) X", and to distinguish her from a baron's wife. This is customary when addressing female members of the House of Lords who have a life peerage, and as well the directive of Her Majesty's Passport Office.[12][13]
- ^ Some sources do not recommend the use of the definite article before certain courtesy titles (particularly heirs-in-line who have prospects of promotion within the family's titles), but it is cited by official Court publications such as the Court Circular.
- ^ If the definite article is not used before courtesy titles 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 The 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 "The Lady Brown". 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.
- ^ The exact form of a Scottish chief's style varies from family to family, and is generally based on tradition rather than formal rules.
- ^ a b "Master" is used as the form of address whether the High Court Master is male or female.
- ^ Some circuit judges – for example, the Recorder of Liverpool or circuit judges sitting in the Central Criminal Court – are addressed in court as "My Lord" or "My Lady".
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Title
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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]- ^ "The Style of Prince outside the Royal Family". www.heraldica.org. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "No. 43264". The London Gazette. 6 March 1964. p. 2169.
- ^ "No. 62855". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 13 December 2019. p. 214.
- ^ Gov.uk. Title usage: HMG Guidance
- ^ "Greeting a Member of The Royal Family". Royal.uk. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Addressing the Royal Family". Debretts. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
- ^ "Baron and Baroness". Debrett's. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
- ^ 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
- ^ Montegue-Smith, Patrick, ed. (1984). Debrett's Correct Form. London: Futura Publications. p. 27. ISBN 0-7088-1500-6.
- ^ Montegue-Smith, Patrick, ed. (1984). Debrett's Correct Form. London: Futura Publications. p. 29. ISBN 0-7088-1500-6.
- ^ a b c d e Montegue-Smith, Patrick, ed. (1984). Debrett's Correct Form. London: Futura Publications. pp. 38–39. ISBN 0-7088-1500-6.
- ^ Addressing members of the Lords - official website of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
- ^ Titles: Guidance for Her Majesty's Passport Office operational staff on how to add and record titles and observations on a passport -official website of the Government of the United Kingdom
- ^ Adam, Frank; Innes, Thomas (1970) [1934]. "Highland Surnames and Titles". The Clans, Septs & Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (8th ed.). Clearfield. p. 410. ISBN 978-0-8063-0448-9. Retrieved 2023-11-26.
- ^ a b "Debrett's Forms of Address for Scottish feudal barons". Archived from the original on 2013-07-25.
- ^ a b "The Convention of the Baronage of Scotland". Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
- ^ "Female Barons (in their own right) or the wife of a baron". Convention of the Baronage of Scotland. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Frank Adams (1952) The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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"
- ^ a b "Manors: manorial titles and rights". HM Land Registry. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
- ^ www.crockford.org.uk
- ^ a b c d "The Supreme Court". Archived from the original on 2012-06-23.
- ^ "Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales". Archived from the original on 2013-01-06.
- ^ a b "The criminal courts". © Copyright 2010-2020 Full Fact. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2020.
Professional magistrates are now called District Judge (Magistrates' Court), or DJ for short (they used to be called Stipendiary Magistrates, which is a term you will still hear being used)......In court, a DJ (Magistrate) will be called 'sir' or 'madam' as the case may be. If there is a lay bench, then you normally pretend you are speaking to the 'chair' and address them as 'sir' or 'madam'. Some people will address the whole panel as 'your worships', although this is becoming old-fashioned.
- ^ a b Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. "Bench Chairmen". Courts and Tribunals Judiciary. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ^ "Justice of the Peace". Archived from the original on 2013-11-01.
- ^ "Justices of the Peace". Archived from the original on 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ "Academics". A to Z. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
- ^ "Academics". Forms of Address. Debrett's. Retrieved 13 August 2017.