His Excellency

Excellency is an honorific style given to certain high-level officers of a sovereign state, officials of an international organization, or members of an aristocracy. Once entitled to the title "Excellency", the holder usually retains the right to that courtesy throughout their lifetime, although in some cases the title is attached to a particular office, and is held only for the duration of that office.

Generally people addressed as ''Excellency'' are heads of state, heads of government, governors, ambassadors, Roman Catholic bishops and high-ranking ecclesiastics and others holding equivalent rank (e.g., heads of international organizations). Members of royal families generally have distinct addresses (Majesty, Highness, etc.)

It is sometimes misinterpreted as a title of office in itself, but in fact is an honorific that precedes various titles (such as Mr. President, and so on), both in speech and in writing. In reference to such an official, it takes the form ''His'' or ''Her Excellency''; in direct address, ''Your Excellency'', or, less formally, simply ''Excellency''.
The abbreviation ''HE'' is often used instead of ''His/Her Excellency''; alternatively it may stand for ''His Eminence''.

Government

Heads of state and government

In most republican nation states, the head of state is formally addressed as ''His or Her Excellency''.

If a republic has a separate head of government, that official is almost always addressed as ''Excellency'' as well. If the nation is a monarchy, however, the customs may vary. For example, in the case of Australia, all ambassadors, high commissioners, state governors and the governor-general and their spouses are entitled to the use of Excellency.

Governors of colonies in the British Empire were entitled to be addressed as ''Excellency'' and this remains the position for the governors of what are now known as British Overseas Territories.

International diplomacy

In various international organizations, notably the UN and its agencies, ''Excellency'' is used as a generic form of address for all republican heads of state and heads of government. It is often granted to the organization's head as well, and to those chiefs of UN diplomatic missions, such as Resident Coordinators (who are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General), who are accredited at the Head of State level (like an Ambassador), or at the lower Head of Government level.

In recent years, some international organizations, such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or the European Union, have designated their permanent representatives in third countries as ''ambassadors'', although they do not represent sovereign entities. This is now largely accepted, and because these ''ambassadors'' rank after the UN representative in the orders of precedence of representatives of international organizations, the UN coming naturally first as pre-eminent, the UN Resident Coordinators are now also commonly but informally referred to in diplomatic circles as ''ambassadors'', although the UN itself does not refer to them in this way.

International judiciary

Judges of the International Court of Justice are also called ''Your Excellency''.

Monarchy

Royalty

In some monarchies the husbands, wives, or children, of a royal prince or princess, who do not possess a princely title themselves, may be entitled to the style. For example, in Spain spouses or children of a born ''infante'' or ''infanta'' are addressed as ''Excellency'', if not accorded a higher style.

Also, former members of a royal house or family, who ''did'' have a royal title but forfeited it, may be awarded the style afterwards. Examples are former husbands or wives of a royal prince or princess, including Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg, following her divorce from Prince Joachim of Denmark. Likewise, Count Carl Johan Bernadotte of Wisborg, who lost his succession rights to the Swedish throne and discontinued use of his royal titles in 1946 when he married the commoner Elin Kerstin Margaretha Wijkmark, was accorded the style.

In some emirates (e.g., Kuwait or Qatar), only the Emir, heir apparent and prime minister are called ''His Highness''. Their children are styled with the lower treatment of ''His/Her Excellency'' (unless they possess a higher honorific).

Nobility

In Spain members of the high nobility, holding the dignity of grandee, are addressed as ''The Most Excellent Lord/Lady''.

In Denmark, some counts (''lensgrever''), historically those related by blood or marriage to the monarch, who have entered a morganatic marriage or otherwise left the Royal Family have the right to be styled as ''Your Excellency'', e.g., the Counts of Danneskiold-Samsøe, some of the counts of Rosenborg and the Countess of Frederiksborg (''ad personam'').

In the Sultanate of Sulu, senior nobility and holders of royal offices that are granted the title of Datu Sadja are addressed as ''His/Her Excellency.''

Knights

''Excellency'' can also attach to a prestigious quality, notably in an order of knighthood. For example, in the Empire of Brazil, it was attached to the highest classes, each time called ''Grand Cross'', of all three imperial orders: Imperial Order of Pedro I, Imperial Order of the Southern Cross (in this case, also enjoying the military honours of a Lieutenant general) and Order of the Rose.

In modern days, Knights Collar and Knights Grand Cross of the Spanish Orders of Chivalry, like the Order of Charles III, Order of Isabella the Catholic, Order of Civil Merit, Order of Alfonso X the Wise, Royal Order of Sports Merit, Civil Order of Health, as well as recipients of the Grand Cross of Military, Naval, and Aeronautical Merit are addressed as such. Furthermore, Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great and the Order of St. Sylvester of the Holy See, and Grand Cross of The Lion, Crested Crane, Crown, and The Drum of Rwanda, and Knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and Knights Grand Cross of several other orders of high prestige, are often addressed as Excellency.

Ecclesiastical use

By a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Ceremonial of 31 December 1930 the Holy See granted bishops of the Catholic Church the title of ''Most Reverend Excellency'' (Latin: ''Excellentia Reverendissima''). In the years following the First World War, the ambassadorial title of ''Excellency'', previously given to nuncios, had already begun to be used by other Catholic bishops. The adjective ''Most Reverend'' was intended to distinguish the religious title from that of ''Excellency'' given to civil officials.

The instruction ''Ut sive sollicite'' of the Holy See's Secretariat of State, dated 28 March 1969, made the addition of ''Most Reverend'' optional, sanctioning what had been (except possibly for the beginnings of letters and the like) always the practice.

According to the letter of the decree of 31 December 1930, titular patriarchs too were to be addressed with the title of ''(Most Reverend) Excellency'', but in practice the Holy See continued to address them with the title of ''Beatitude'', which was formally sanctioned for them with the motu proprio ''Cleri sanctitati'' of 2 June 1957.

Cardinals, even those who were bishops, continued to use the title of ''Eminence''.

Eastern Orthodox titular metropolitans are addressed with the style of "Excellency".

In some English-speaking countries, the honorific of ''Excellency'' does not apply to bishops other than the nuncio. In English law, Anglican archbishops are granted the title of ''Grace'' (Your Grace, His Grace, as for a duke), and bishops are granted the title of ''Lord''. The same titles are extended by courtesy to their Catholic counterparts, and continue in use in most countries that are or have been members of the Commonwealth. An exception is former British East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania).

By country

Afghanistan

In Afghanistan the title "Jalalat Mahab" is used for Princes (Sardars) of the former Muhammadzai Dynasty, who are descendants of the Afghan King Sultan Mohammed Khan Telai. Although Jalalat Mahab is derived from the Arabic term "Jalalat" literally meaning "His Majesty", it is regarded as equal to "His Excellency" internationally.

The descendants of King Nadir Shah held the title "Alaa Hazrat" in which context "Hazrat" is Turkish and means "Majesty" or "Highness" and thus literally translated means "Higher Majesty" or "Higher Highness". But it is in rank equal to "His Highness". The King himself held the title "Alaa Hazrat Humayoon" which literally translated means" His Most Exalted Majesty", but it can be equalized with "His Majesty". President Daoud Khan the Cousin of the last Afghan King Zahir Shah, who acted as Prime Minister under his cousin held the address "Jalalat Mahab Aali Qadr Sardari Alaa" during his term as Prime Minister.

Albania

The president, the chairman of the Parliament and the prime minister are addressed as "His/Her Excellency".

Armenia

The president, the prime minister, the chairman of the Parliament, as well as ministers and ambassadors of Armenia are addressed as "Excellency" (in Armenian Ձերդ գերազանցութիւն - Dzerd gerazancutiwn). The members of the traditional Armenian nobility are also addressed as "Excellency", although in Armenian it is Ձերդ պայծառութիւն - Dzerd paytzarrowtiwn, literally "Your brightness".

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh the prime minister, the president, the speaker of the Parliament and the international diplomat are styled with "His/Her Excellency".

Belgium

Members of the Council of Ministers of Belgium (prime minister, deputy prime minister(s), other ministers, and Secretaries of state), but also honorary ministers of state, are entitled to the style of "His/Her Excellency".

The style is also used for the governors of Belgium (i.e. governors of the ten provinces of Belgium, governor of Brussels, governor of the national bank of Belgium) and ambassadors (both foreign ambassadors in Belgium and Belgian ambassadors to other countries).

Moreover, within the Catholic Church in Belgium, the ( arch-)bishops and (pro-)nuntia are addressed as "His Excellency Monsignor" (i.e. in Dutch as ''Zijne Excellentie Monseigneur'').

Brazil

In 1991, the Brazilian Presidential Office issued a composition manual to establish the appropriate usage of the Portuguese language for all government agencies. The manual states that the title of ''Excelência'' (Excellency) is the proper form used to address the president and vice president, all members of parliament and judges, among other officials.

Cambodia

In the Kingdom of Cambodia, deputy prime ministers, senior ministers, members of the Council of Ministers, secretary of state, and members of Parliament are addressed as "His/Her Excellency" ( km, ឯកឧត្ដម, /, ).

Commonwealth of Nations

Within the Commonwealth of Nations, the following officials usually use the style ''His or Her Excellency'':
* The Commonwealth secretary-general;
* Presidents of Commonwealth republics;
* Governors and governors-general, and the spouses of governors-general;
* Commonwealth high commissioners (but ''not'' their spouses);
* Foreign ambassadors (but ''not'' their spouses);
* Foreign dignitaries who are entitled to the style in their own countries.

While reference may be made to the ''King's Most Excellent Majesty'', the style ''Excellency'' is not used with reference to the King.

Chile

The president of Chile and the president of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile are addressed by the style "His/Her Excellency".

Germany

The president of Germany and chancellor of Germany are both addressed by the style "Excellency" in international diplomacy, albeit not domestically.

India

The president of India and governors of Indian states are addressed as Rāshtrapati Mahoday (राष्ट्रपति महोदय/ महोदया, Honourable President) and Rājyapāl Mahoday or Rājyapāl Mahodaya (if lady) (राज्यपाल महोदय/Honourable Governor) respectively.

''His/Her Excellency'', a custom dating from the ancient times wherein the Samrāt and Sāmrājñi (सम्राट, साम्राज्ञी/Emperor, Empress), Generals, Kings, Ambassadors were addressed. A classic example is addressing Devvrat (Bhishma) as महामहिम भीष्म (His/Your Excellency Bhishma) in Mahabharat.

However the Constitution makers approved will discontinue "ancient era" styles of Mahāmahim. The same release states that in English (which is the other language in which subsidiary official communications are released in the Central Government of India in its capacity of Sahāyak Rājabhāśhā: Subsidiary Officiating language) the style Honourable shall replace the erstwhile His/Her/Your Excellency. The newer style will be ''Honourable''.

The corresponding changes in releases from the President's Secretariat shall be from Mahāmahim to Rāshtrapatiji. The release also talks about the styles of other dignitaries, like governors. "Hon'ble" will be used before the titles "president" and "governor", while the traditional honorifics ''Shri'' or ''Smt.'' (''Shrimati'') should precede the name.

However, "Excellency" will continue to be used, only for interaction of leaders with foreign dignitaries and foreign dignitaries with Indian leaders as is customary international practice.

Ireland

The president of Ireland is addressed as ''Your Excellency'' or in the Irish language, ''a Shoilse''. Alternatively, one may address the president simply as ''President'' or in the Irish language ''a Uachtaráin''.

Italy

The president of Italy and the prime minister of Italy (officially called President of the Council of Ministers) are addressed as “His/Her Excellency” in international diplomacy. Furthermore, the terms “president” and “premier” are used as well. This latter is an informal and common address for the prime minister of Italy. For both institutional charges, the term “president” is usually exploited in formal and informal situations.

Jordan

Like many countries that once formed part of the Ottoman Empire, ''His/Her Excellency'' is used as the style for those with the title of Bey or Pasha. In Arabic the latter titles are often included between the first and last names of the holder, while in English the titles are not usually included and the style of ''His/Her Excellency'' is used on its own. Those styled this way include government ministers, senior military officers, and the husbands and children of Princesses.

Kenya

The president of Kenya is addressed as "His/Her Excellency".

The governors of the counties and diplomats are also addressed as "His/Her Excellency".

Malaysia

The governors (Yang di-Pertua Negeri) of Melaka, Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak are addressed as "His Excellency" (Tuan Yang Terutama). High commissioners and ambassadors are also addressed as "His/Her Excellency" (Tuan/Puan Yang Terutama).

Myanmar

The president of Myanmar, first lady, state counsellor, vice-presidents of Myanmar, speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, speaker of the House of Nationalities, speaker of the House of Representatives of Myanmar, governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar, members of the Cabinet of Myanmar, chief ministers of states and regions of Myanmar, mayors and ambassadors are addressed as "His/Her Excellency" while justices of the Supreme Court of Myanmar are addressed as "The Honourable".

The Netherlands

Members of the cabinet of the Netherlands (prime minister, deputy prime minister(s), other ministers, and state secretaries), but also honorary ministers of state, are entitled to the style of "His/Her Excellency".

The style is also used for the executive officers of the Dutch royal court (great officers of the Royal House, hofmarschall, equerrys), governors of the constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten), ambassadors (both foreign ambassadors in the Netherlands and Dutch ambassadors to other countries), judges of the International Court of Justice, and flag- and general officers of three-star rank and above (generals, lieutenant-generals, lieutenant-admirals, and vice-admirals).

Moreover, within the Catholic Church in the Netherlands, the ( arch-)bishops and (pro-)nuntia are addressed as "His Most Reverend Excellency" (i.e. in Dutch as ''Zijne Hoogwaardige Excellentie'').

Nigeria

The president of Nigeria and vice-president of Nigeria shares the style "His/Her Excellency" with the various governors and their deputies of the country's regional states as well as their wives.

Pakistan

The prime minister of Pakistan and the president of Pakistan

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