''The Honourable'' (
British English
British English (BrE, en-GB, or BE) is, according to Lexico, Oxford Dictionaries, "English language, English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere". More narrowly, it can refer specifically to the English language in ...
) or ''The Honorable'' (
American English
American English, sometimes called United States English or U.S. English, is the set of variety (linguistics), varieties of the English language native to the United States. English is the Languages of the United States, most widely spoken lan ...
;
see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an
honorific
An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an honorary academic title. It ...
style
Style is a manner of doing or presenting things and may refer to:
* Architectural style, the features that make a building or structure historically identifiable
* Design, the process of creating something
* Fashion, a prevailing mode of clothing ...
that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certain people, usually with official governmental or diplomatic positions.
Use by governments
International diplomacy
In international diplomatic relations, representatives of foreign states are often styled as ''The Honourable''. Deputy chiefs of mission, , consuls-general and consuls are always given the style. All heads of consular posts, whether they are honorary or career postholders, are accorded the style according to the State Department of the United States. However, the style ''
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 ...
'' instead of ''The Honourable'' is used for ambassadors and
high commissioners.
Africa
The Congo
In the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...
, the prefix 'Honourable' or 'Hon.' is used for members of both chambers of the
Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo consists of two chambers:
*The Senate (Upper Chamber)
*The National Assembly (Lower Chamber)
The most recent Parliament was inaugurated on January 28, 2019.
History
By 28 May 2021, 32 m ...
. Informally, senators are sometimes given the higher style of 'Venerable'.
Ghana
The style of Honourable is accorded
members of parliament
A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members of ...
in
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
. It is also extended to certain grades of Royal Orders awarded by Ghana's sub-national Kingdoms.
Kenya
The style Honourable is used to address members of the
Kenyan parliament
The National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya is one of the two Houses of the Parliament of Kenya. Between 1966 and 2013, it served as a unicameral house. In 2013 ( 11th Parliament), it became the lower house when the Senate was reestablis ...
. Traditionally, members of Parliament are not allowed to call each other by name in the chambers, but rather use the terms "Honourable colleague" or "Honorable Member for ...". The written form is ''Hon.
ast Name irst Name
An infrared search and track (IRST) system (sometimes known as infrared sighting and tracking) is a method for detecting and tracking objects which give off infrared radiation, such as the infrared signatures of jet aircraft and helicopters.
...
' or ''Honourable
ast Name' or ''Honourable''
osition(e.g. ''Honourable Speaker'').
Mauritius
Recipients of the rank of Grand Officer or above of the
Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean
The Most Distinguished Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean is the highest distinct order of merit in the honours system of Mauritius established under the National Awards Act 1993. It was founded in 1992 to decorate people who have mad ...
and persons knighted by Queen
Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
are automatically entitled to prefix ''The Hon'', ''Hons'' or ''The Honourable'' to their name. Commanders and Officers may request permission from the President to use this prefix. Recipients of the order who are not Mauritian citizens may not use the prefix or post-nominals unless granted permission by the President.
South Africa
All members of the
South African parliament
The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa is South Africa's legislature; under the present Constitution of South Africa, the bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly and a National Council of Provinces. The current twenty-seve ...
and the nine
provincial legislatures are entitled to this prefix.
East Asia
South Korea
In South Korea, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people:
* Ministrial Members of
Cabinet of Korea
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
* Leaders and Floor Leaders of Parties and Members of Shadow Cabinet.
* Governors and Ministrial members of Provinces
* Mayors of Metropolitan Cities
* Judges at
Supreme Court of Korea
The Supreme Court of Korea () is the highest ordinary court in the judicial branch of South Korea, seated in Seocho, Seoul. Established under Chapter 5 of the Constitution of South Korea, the Court has ultimate and comprehensive jurisdiction ...
and Chief Justices of Provincial Level Courts.
China
=Hong Kong
=
In Hong Kong, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used for the following people:
* The
Chief Executive of Hong Kong
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and head of the Government of Hong Kong. The position was created to replace the office of governor of ...
* Members, including the President, of the
Legislative Council
* Members of the
Executive Council, including official members such as the
Chief Secretary, the
Financial Secretary, the
Secretary for Justice
A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...
, and other
secretaries of bureaux
* Judges of the
Court of Final Appeal
* Justices of Appeal of the
Court of Appeal
A court of appeals, also called a court of appeal, appellate court, appeal court, court of second instance or second instance court, is any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal. In much of t ...
* Judges of the
Court of First Instance
A court is any person or institution, often as a government institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance w ...
* Individuals who have been awarded the
Grand Bauhinia Medal
The Grand Bauhinia Medal () is the highest award under the Hong Kong honours and awards system; it is to recognise the selected person's lifelong and highly significant contribution to the well-being of Hong Kong. The awardee is entitled to the ...
, the highest medal in Hong Kong's honours system.
* Deceased heroes (29 to date) who served in any of the
disciplined services under the
Security Bureau
=Macau
=
In
Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ), officially the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (MSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China in the western Pearl River Delta by the South China Sea. With a pop ...
, the prefix ''The Honourable'' is used occasionally for the following people:
*
Chief Executive of Macau
The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (; pt, Chefe do Executivo da Região Administrativa Especial de Macau) is the head of government of Macau, a special administrative region of China. The position replaced the o ...
* Members, including the President, of the
Legislative Assembly of Macau
The Legislative Assembly of the Macau Special Administrative Region (; ) is the organ of the legislative branch of Macau. It is a 33-member body comprising 14 directly elected members, 12 indirectly elected members representing functional con ...
* Members of the
Executive Council
* The
Secretariat for Administration and Justice (Macau)
The Secretariat for Administration and Justice ( zh, 行政法務司; pt, Secretaria para a Administração e Justiça) is the most senior cabinet role and key departments in the Government of Macau. When the Chief Executive is on leave, the Secr ...
, the
Secretariat for Economy and Finance (Macau)
The Secretariat for Economy and Finance (; pt, Secretariado para a Economia e Finanças) is a department of the Macau Government. The Secretariat is responsible for economic, financial and labour affairs in Macau
Macau or Macao (; ; ; ) ...
, and other Principal officials
* Judges of the
Court of Final Appeal
* Individuals who have been awarded the
Grand Medal of Lotus Flower, the highest medal in Macau's honours system.
Europe
Germany
A rough equivalent of the style ''Honourable'' would be 'high well-born', which was used until 1918 for all members of noble families not having any higher style. Its application to bourgeois dignitaries became common in the 19th century, though it has faded since and was always of doubtful correctness.
or , the literal translation of 'honourable', is used for
Catholic
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...
clergy
Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...
and
religious
Religion is usually defined as a social system, social-cultural system of designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morality, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sacred site, sanctified places, prophecy, prophecie ...
with the exceptions of priests and abbesses, who are '
reverend
The Reverend is an style (manner of address), honorific style most often placed before the names of Christian clergy and Minister of religion, ministers. There are sometimes differences in the way the style is used in different countries and c ...
'. A subdeacon is 'very honourable'; a deacon is '
right honourable
''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'.
Ireland
In Ireland, all judges of the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court are referred to as ''The Honourable Mr/Ms Justice''.
Italy
In Italy, the style ''The Honourable'' ( it, Onorevole, link=no) is customarily used to refer to a member of the
Chamber of Deputies
The chamber of deputies is the lower house in many bicameral legislatures and the sole house in some unicameral legislatures.
Description
Historically, French Chamber of Deputies was the lower house of the French Parliament during the Bourbon R ...
or
Senate of the Republic. Former members of parliament can maintain the style.
Malta
All members of the unicameral
Parliament of Malta
The Parliament of Malta ( mt, Il-Parlament ta' Malta) is the constitutional legislative body in Malta, located in Valletta. The parliament is unicameral, with a democratically elected House of Representatives and the President of Malta. By const ...
are entitled to this prefix.
The Netherlands
An extensive system of honorifics used to be in place in the Netherlands. In a more formal setting it still is. 'the honourable lord/lady' is used for the genteel bourgeoisie. The middle classes are instead addressed with 'sir/madam', which is the equivalent of ''Mr/Ms'' in English.
Also typical is the use of 'the well-born lord/lady', for students at universities, traditionally children of the genteel bourgeoisie.
The system adds honorifics based on prestige for military officers based on rank, barristers, prosecutors, judges, members of parliament, government ministers, nobles, clergy, and for academic degrees of master's and above.
In the Dutch language, is a formal and academic title, for both men and women, protected by Dutch law, ranking above a doctorate and below a professorship. It stands for 'master', and is strictly reserved for holders of a master's degree in law (LL.M.) who are qualified to practice law. Holders are addressed as 'the well-born lord/lady master', followed by their name.
Spain
In the Spanish Autonomous Community of
Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a ''nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy.
Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the north ...
the word Honorable (
Catalan
Catalan may refer to:
Catalonia
From, or related to Catalonia:
* Catalan language, a Romance language
* Catalans, an ethnic group formed by the people from, or with origins in, Northern or southern Catalonia
Places
* 13178 Catalan, asteroid #1 ...
: ''Honorable'') is used for current and former members of the cabinet (''consellers'') of the President of the Catalan Government (''
Generalitat de Catalunya
The Generalitat de Catalunya (; oc, label=Aranese, Generalitat de Catalonha; es, Generalidad de Cataluña), or the Government of Catalonia, is the institutional system by which Catalonia politically organizes its self-government. It is formed b ...
''). Former and current Heads of Government or President of the Generalitat are given the name of ''Molt Honorable'' ("Very Honorable"). This also applies to former and current heads of government of the Autonomous Communities of
Valencia
Valencia ( va, València) is the capital of the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Valencian Community, Valencia and the Municipalities of Spain, third-most populated municipality in Spain, with 791,413 inhabitants. It is ...
and
Balearic Islands
The Balearic Islands ( es, Islas Baleares ; or ca, Illes Balears ) are an archipelago in the Balearic Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The archipelago is an autonomous community and a province of Spain; its capital is ...
.
United Kingdom
=Entitlement
=
In the United Kingdom, all sons and daughters of
viscount
A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status.
In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial ...
s and
baron
Baron is a rank of nobility or title of honour, often hereditary, in various European countries, either current or historical. The female equivalent is baroness. Typically, the title denotes an aristocrat who ranks higher than a lord or knig ...
s (including the holders of
life peerage
In the United Kingdom, life peers are appointed members of the peerage whose titles cannot be inherited, in contrast to hereditary peers. In modern times, life peerages, always created at the rank of baron, are created under the Life Peerages Ac ...
s) and the younger sons of
earl
Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...
s are styled with this prefix. (The daughters and younger sons of
duke
Duke is a male title either of a monarch ruling over a duchy, or of a member of royalty, or nobility. As rulers, dukes are ranked below emperors, kings, grand princes, grand dukes, and sovereign princes. As royalty or nobility, they are ran ...
s and
marquess
A marquess (; french: marquis ), es, marqués, pt, marquês. is a nobleman of high hereditary rank in various European peerages and in those of some of their former colonies. The German language equivalent is Markgraf (margrave). A woman wi ...
es and the daughters of
earl
Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form ''jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particular ...
s have the higher style of ''Lord'' or ''Lady'' before their first names, and the eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls are known by one of their father's or mother's subsidiary titles.) The style is only a
courtesy
Courtesy (from the word ''courteis'', from the 12th century) is gentle politeness and courtly manners. In the Middle Ages in Europe, the behaviour expected of the nobility was compiled in courtesy books.
History
The apex of European courtly cul ...
, however, and on legal documents they may be described as, for instance, ''John Smith, Esq., commonly called The Honourable John Smith''. As the wives of sons of peers share the styles of their husbands, the wives of the sons of viscounts and barons and the younger sons of earls are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs John Smith''. Likewise, the married daughters of viscounts and barons, whose husbands hold no higher title or dignity, are styled, for example, ''The Hon. Mrs Smith''.
In 1912, King
George V
George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until Death and state funeral of George V, his death in 1936.
Born duri ...
granted
maids of honour
A maid of honour is a junior attendant of a queen in royal households. The position was and is junior to the lady-in-waiting. The equivalent title and office has historically been used in most European royal courts.
Role
Traditionally, a queen r ...
(royal attendants) the style of ''the honourable'' for life, with precedence next after daughters of barons.
''The honourable'' is also customarily used as a form of address for most foreign nobility that is not formally recognised by the sovereign (e.g. ambassadors) when in the UK.
Some people are entitled to the prefix by virtue of their offices. Rules exist that allow certain individuals to keep the prefix ''The Honourable'' even after retirement.
* Judges of the
High Court and other superior courts in the Commonwealth (if the judge is a
knight
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
, the style ''Sir John Smith'' is used socially instead of ''The Honourable Mr Justice Smith''.); and
* Members of Commonwealth
executive
Executive ( exe., exec., execu.) may refer to:
Role or title
* Executive, a senior management role in an organization
** Chief executive officer (CEO), one of the highest-ranking corporate officers (executives) or administrators
** Executive dir ...
and
legislative councils (or
senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
s) where the legislature is
bicameral
Bicameralism is a type of legislature, one divided into two separate assemblies, chambers, or houses, known as a bicameral legislature. Bicameralism is distinguished from unicameralism, in which all members deliberate and vote as a single grou ...
.
Several corporate entities have been awarded the style by
royal warrant, for example:
*
The Honourable East India Company;
* The
Honourable Artillery Company
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is a reserve regiment in the British Army. Incorporated by royal charter in 1537 by King Henry VIII, it is the oldest regiment in the British Army and is considered the second-oldest military unit in the w ...
;
* The four
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. There are four Inns of Court – Gray's Inn, Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple.
All barristers must belong to one of them. They have ...
(for example
The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple)
* The
Honourable Company of Master Mariners
The Honourable Company of Master Mariners is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. While the other Livery Companies are entitled to the style '' Worshipful'', the Master Mariners are styled ''Honourable'', King George V having gran ...
* The
Honourable Company of Air Pilots
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, formerly the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators (GAPAN), is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Company was founded in 1929, and became a Livery Company in 1956. Elizabeth II granted ...
=Usage
=
The style ''The Honourable'' is usually used in addressing envelopes (where it is usually abbreviated to ''The Hon.'') and formally elsewhere, in which case ''Mr'' or ''
Esquire
Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title.
In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentlema ...
'' are omitted. In speech, however, The Honourable John Smith is usually referred to simply as Mr John Smith.
In the
House of Commons of the United Kingdom
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the upper house, the House of Lords, it meets in the Palace of Westminster in London, England.
The House of Commons is an elected body consisting of 650 me ...
, as in other traditionally lower houses of Parliament and other legislatures, members must as a minimum refer to each other as ''the honourable member'' or ''my honourable friend'' out of courtesy, but they are not entitled to the style in writing. Members who are 'senior'
barrister
A barrister is a type of lawyer in common law jurisdictions. Barristers mostly specialise in courtroom advocacy and litigation. Their tasks include taking cases in superior courts and tribunals, drafting legal pleadings, researching law and ...
s may be called ''the honourable and learnèd member'', serving or ex-serving members of the military ''the honourable and gallant member'', and ordained clergy in the House ''the honourable and reverend member''; a practice which the Modernisation Committee recommended abolished, but which use has continued. When anyone is entitled to be styled ''
Right Honourable
''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'' this is used instead of ''honourable''.
In the
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands (; es, Islas Malvinas, link=no ) is an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean on the Patagonian Shelf. The principal islands are about east of South America's southern Patagonian coast and about from Cape Dubouzet ...
, the style ''the honourable'' is given to any serving or former
members
Member may refer to:
* Military jury, referred to as "Members" in military jargon
* Element (mathematics), an object that belongs to a mathematical set
* In object-oriented programming, a member of a class
** Field (computer science), entries in ...
of the
Legislative Assembly or
Legislative Council.
In the
Isle of Man
)
, anthem = "O Land of Our Birth"
, image = Isle of Man by Sentinel-2.jpg
, image_map = Europe-Isle_of_Man.svg
, mapsize =
, map_alt = Location of the Isle of Man in Europe
, map_caption = Location of the Isle of Man (green)
in Europe ...
, the style ''the honourable'' (often abbreviated to ''Hon.'') is used to refer to a
minister while holding office.
North America
Canada
In Canada, while not always enshrined in legislation, some people are commonly referred to as ''The Honourable'' (french: link=no, l'honorable). Those who have the honorific for life include:
*
Senators
* Members of the
King's Privy Council for Canada
The 's Privy Council for Canada (french: Conseil privé du Roi pour le Canada),) during the reign of a queen. sometimes called Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council (PC), is the full group of personal consultants to the ...
(mostly members or former members of the federal
Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
)
*
Lieutenant governors
A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...
* Members of the
Executive Council of Nova Scotia
The Executive Council of Nova Scotia (informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of Nova Scotia) is the cabinet of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
Almost always made up of members of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly, the Cabinet is sim ...
(since 2009)
* Members of the
Executive Council of Alberta
The Executive Council of Alberta (the Cabinet) is a body of ministers of the Crown in right of Alberta, who along with the lieutenant governor, exercises the powers of the Government of Alberta. Ministers are selected by the premier and typical ...
(since 2022)
People who have the honorific only while in office include:
* The
Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada
The speaker of the House of Commons (french: président de la Chambre des communes) is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. A member of Parliament (MP), they are elected at the beginning of each new parliament b ...
* Members of provincial and territorial
executive councils (premiers, cabinet ministers and deputy premiers). Some executive councillors (see above) have the honorific for life.
* Speakers of provincial and territorial legislatures
* Government
house leader
{{Politics of Canada
In Canada, each political party with representation in the House of Commons has a House Leader who is a front bench Member of Parliament (MP) and an expert in parliamentary procedure. The same representation is found in the pr ...
s of provinces and territories
* Territorial commissioners
* Justices of the
Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada (SCC; french: Cour suprême du Canada, CSC) is the Supreme court, highest court in the Court system of Canada, judicial system of Canada. It comprises List of Justices of the Supreme Court of Canada, nine justices, wh ...
* Justices of the
Federal Court and
Federal Court of Appeals,
Tax Court of Canada
The Tax Court of Canada (TCC; french: Cour canadienne de l'impôt), established in 1983 by the ''Tax Court of Canada Act'', is a federal superior court which deals with matters involving companies or individuals and tax issues with the Government ...
* Justices of the
Court Martial of Canada and
Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada
The Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada (CMAC) (french: Cour d'appel de la cour martiale du Canada) hears appeals from Courts-martial of Canada ("courts martial").
In Canada, courts martial are presided over by independent military judges from ...
* Justices of provincial superior courts (trial and appellate)
* Provincial inferior court judges
Derivatives include:
* The Honourable Mr/Madam Justice — justices of federal courts, provincial appellate and superior courts.
* The Honourable Judge — judges of provincial courts and formerly judges of district or county courts.
In all cases, the
governor general of Canada
The governor general of Canada (french: gouverneure générale du Canada) is the federal viceregal representative of the . The is head of state of Canada and the 14 other Commonwealth realms, but resides in oldest and most populous realm, t ...
may grant permission to retain the style after they cease to hold office. Persons eligible to retain the style include the speaker of the House of Commons (who may already be eligible as a privy councillor), territorial commissioners, and judges of certain courts (e.g., the Supreme Court of Canada). The most recent former justice granted such privileges was
Frank Iacobucci
Frank Iacobucci (born June 29, 1937) is a former Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada from 1991 until his retirement from the bench in 2004. He was the first Italian-Canadian, allophone judge on the court. Iacobucci was also the fir ...
.
It is usual for speakers of the House of Commons to be made privy councillors, in which case they keep the style for life. By custom, the
leader of the Official Opposition is appointed to the Privy Council, granting them the style (being the only non-government MP accorded such privilege). In the past, certain provincial premiers (e.g.,
Peter Lougheed
Edgar Peter Lougheed ( ; July 26, 1928 – September 13, 2012) was a Canadian lawyer and Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, Progressive Conservative politician who served as the tenth premier of Alberta from 1971 to 1985, presiding ...
,
Bill Davis
William Grenville Davis, (July 30, 1929 – August 8, 2021) was a Canadian politician who served as the 18th premier of Ontario from 1971 to 1985. Davis was first elected as the member of provincial Parliament for Peel in the 1959 provincia ...
,
Joey Smallwood
Joseph Roberts Smallwood (December 24, 1900 – December 17, 1991) was a Newfoundlander and Canadian politician. He was the main force who brought the Dominion of Newfoundland into Canadian Confederation in 1949, becoming the first premier of ...
and
Tommy Douglas
Thomas Clement Douglas (20 October 1904 – 24 February 1986) was a Scottish-born Canadian politician who served as seventh premier of Saskatchewan from 1944 to 1961 and Leader of the New Democratic Party from 1961 to 1971. A Baptist min ...
) were elevated to the Privy Council and gained the style, but such practice is rare.
Members of the
House of Commons of Canada
The House of Commons of Canada (french: Chambre des communes du Canada) is the lower house of the Parliament of Canada. Together with the Crown and the Senate of Canada, they comprise the bicameral legislature of Canada.
The House of Common ...
and of provincial legislatures refer to each other during proceedings of the house with the courtesy style "honourable member" (or ), but their name is not otherwise prefixed with ''the Honourable'' (unless they are privy councillors or executive councillors).
Current and former
governors general,
prime ministers
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
,
chief justices and certain other eminent persons use the style of ''
Right Honourable
''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: ''Rt Hon.'' or variations) is an honorific style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. The term is ...
'' for life (or in French). This was originally subject to being summoned to the British Privy Council. Several early prime ministers were not summoned to the British Privy Council, and hence were styled ''The Honourable'':
Alexander Mackenzie, Sir
John Abbott
Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott (March 12, 1821 – October 30, 1893) was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the third prime minister of Canada from 1891 to 1892. He held office as the leader of the Conservative Party.
Abbot ...
and Sir
Mackenzie Bowell
Sir Mackenzie Bowell (; December 27, 1823 – December 10, 1917) was a Canadian newspaper publisher and politician, who served as the fifth prime minister of Canada, in office from 1894 to 1896.
Bowell was born in Rickinghall, Suffolk, En ...
.
Members of the
Executive Council of Quebec The Executive Council of Quebec (in French, ''le Conseil exécutif du Québec'', but informally and more commonly, the Cabinet of Quebec and in French language, French: ''le Conseil des ministres'') is the Cabinet (government), cabinet of the govern ...
have not used the style ''The Honourable'' since 1968 but retain the ability to do so, and are often accorded the honorific in media and by the federal government.
The Caribbean
=Caricom
=
Members of the
Order of the Caribbean Community
The Order of the Caribbean Community is an award given to
The award was initiated at the Eighth (8th) Conference of Heads of State and Governments of CARICOM in 1987 and began bestowal in 1992. Decisions as to award are taken by the Advisory Co ...
are entitled to be styled ''The Honourable'' for life.
=Barbados
=
In
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
, members of the Parliament carry two main titles: members of the
House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature or lower house of a bicameral parliament. In some countries this may be at a subnational level.
Historically, in British Crown colonies as the colony gained more internal responsible governme ...
are styled ''The Honourable'', while members of the
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
are styled "Senator". Companions of Honour of the former
Order of Barbados
The Order of Barbados is a national Order of honours and decorations for Barbados.
History
The first Order of Barbados was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 25 July 1980. With Barbados becoming a republic on 30 November ...
from the pre-republic era of Barbados, as well Members of the current
Order of the Republic, are accorded the style ''The Honourable''.
=Jamaica
=
In
Jamaica
Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...
, those awarded the
Order of Jamaica
The Order of Jamaica is the fifth of the six orders in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and it is considered the equivalent of a knighthood in the British honours system.
Membership in the Order can be conferred upon ...
(considered Jamaica's equivalent to a British
knighthood
A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the Gr ...
) and those awarded the
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit (french: link=no, Ordre du Mérite) is an order of merit for the Commonwealth realms, recognising distinguished service in the armed forces, science, art, literature, or for the promotion of culture. Established in 1902 by K ...
are styled ''Honourable''.
Trinidad and Tobago
In
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
The
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
, government ministers, the leader of the opposition and ministers within government ministries (junior ministers) are styled as ''The Honourable'', senators serving as ministers are styled as ''Senator The Honourable'', ministers with doctorates are styled as ''The Honourable Dr. or Dr. the Honourable (rare).''
United States
In the United States, the prefix ''the Honorable'' has been used to formally address various officials at the federal and state levels, but it is most commonly used for the President-elect,
governors
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political_regions, political region, ranking under the Head of State, head of state and in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of ...
, judges, and members of
Congress
A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of a ...
when formally addressing them.
[ The style may be conferred pursuant to federal government service, according to federal rules, or by state government service, where the rules may be different. Modifiers such as ''the Right Honorable'' or ''the Most Honorable'' are not used. The 't' in 'the' is not capitalized in the middle of a sentence.]
Under the rules of etiquette, the President, Vice President, members of both houses of Congress, governors
A governor is an politician, administrative leader and head of a polity or Region#Political_regions, political region, ranking under the Head of State, head of state and in some cases, such as governor-general, governors-general, as the head of ...
of states, members of state legislatures, and mayors are accorded the title.[Mary K. Mewborn]
Too Many Honorables?
''Washington Life'' November 1999. Persons appointed to office nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate are accorded the title; this rule includes members of the Cabinet
Cabinet or The Cabinet may refer to:
Furniture
* Cabinetry, a box-shaped piece of furniture with doors and/or drawers
* Display cabinet, a piece of furniture with one or more transparent glass sheets or transparent polycarbonate sheets
* Filing ...
and sub-Cabinet (such as deputies and undersecretaries), administrators, members, and commissioners of the various independent agencies
A regulatory agency (regulatory body, regulator) or independent agency (independent regulatory agency) is a government agency, government authority that is responsible for exercising autonomous dominion over some area of human activity in a licen ...
, councils, commissions, and boards, federal judges Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state/provincial/local level.
United States
A US federal judge is appointed by the US President and confirmed by the US Senate in accordance with Article 3 of ...
, ambassadors of the United States
Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the president to serve as the country's diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as ambassadors-at-large. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. ...
, U.S. Attorneys
United States attorneys are officials of the U.S. Department of Justice who serve as the chief federal law enforcement officers in each of the 94 U.S. federal judicial districts. Each U.S. attorney serves as the United States' chief federal c ...
, U.S. Marshals
The United States Marshals Service (USMS) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States. The USMS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Justice, operating under the direction of the Attorney General, but serves as the enforce ...
, the Architect of the Capitol, the Librarian of Congress and Public Printer of the United States, and presidentially appointed Inspector General, inspectors general.
High state officials other than governor, such as Lieutenant governor (United States), lieutenant governor and state attorney general, state attorneys general are also accorded the style ''Honorable''. State court (United States), State court judges and justices of the peace, like federal judges, also are accorded the style ''Honorable''. Practices vary on whether appointed state official, such as the heads of state cabinet-level departments are given the title. There is also no universal rule for whether county or city officials other than the mayor (such as city council, board of aldermen, board of selectmen, planning and zoning commission, and code enforcement board members, or city manager or police chief or fire chief) are given the title; as these may be different state by state.
Members of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, White House staff at the rank of special assistant, deputy assistant, assistant to the president, and Counselor to the President are accorded the title. Officials nominated to high office but not yet confirmed (e.g., commissioner-designate) and interim or acting officials are generally not accorded the style ''Honorable'', except for cabinet-level officials.[Robert Hickey]
How to Use the Honorable
(citing Mary Mel French, ''United States Protocol: The Guide to Official Diplomatic Etiquette'').
Opinions vary on whether the term ''the Honorable'' is accorded for life. According to the protocols of the United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State, all persons who have been in a position that entitled them to ''The Honorable'' continue to retain that honorific style for life. However, the State Department is not an authority on state and local officials such as mayors, members of state legislatures, and high state officials. The prefix is not used for people who have died.
Some estimate that in the United States there are nearly 100,000 people who are accorded the "Honorable" title, many in the Washington, D.C. region. Civilian officials, including service secretaries (e.g., United States Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Army) of the Pentagon receive the title.
The style ''The Honorable'' is used on envelopes when referring to an individual in the third person. It is never properly used to refer to oneself.
A spouse of someone with the style of ''The Honorable'' receives no additional style.
Oceania
Australia
In Australia, the style is allowed to be used by past and present:
* Governors-General and Governors
* Members of the Federal Executive Council (Australia), Federal Executive Council
* Premiers and ministers in all states
* Chairperson, Presiding officers of federal and state parliaments (expect Australian Capital Territory, ACT lower house speakers)
* Members of all state legislative councils except in Victoria
* Chief ministers and ministers in the Northern Territory
* Leaders of the Opposition in Tasmania
* High Court Justices
* Federal Court Justices
* Family Court of Australia Justices
* Justices of the supreme court in states and territories.
The abbreviation in Australia is 'The Hon' (without a full stop).
=Governors
=
In May 2013, the title was given approval by Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. She was queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during ...
to be granted to past, present, and future Governor-General of Australia, Governors-General of Australia,["The title 'the Honourable' for Governors-General"]
, ''Australian Government Special Gazette'' C2013G00681, 8 May 2013. to be used in the form ''His'' or ''Her Excellency the Honourable'' while holding office, and ''The Honourable'' in retirement.
By December 2014, the practice of appointing the vice-regal office holder, as well as former living, the style ''The Honourable'' for life had also been adopted for the state governors of Governor of New South Wales, New South Wales, Governor of Queensland, Queensland, Governor of South Australia, South Australia, Governor of Western Australia, Western Australia, Governor of Victoria, Victoria and Governor of Tasmania, Tasmania (where it did not apply to past governors), as well as the Administrator of the Northern Territory.
=Government ministers
=
In Australia, all ministers in Commonwealth and state governments and the government of the Northern Territory are entitled to be styled ''the Honourable''. The Australian Capital Territory does not have an Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), executive council and so its ministers are not entitled to the style. In Victoria, the style is granted for life, so it is customary for former ministers to retain the style after leaving office. In New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania the premiers can advise the King of Australia to grant former ministers the style for life. In the Northern Territory, the chief minister can request the administrator to make a recommendation to the governor-general who in turn makes a recommendation to the Queen. A minimum five years' service as a member of the executive council and/or as a presiding officer is a prerequisite. In Western Australia, conditional on royal assent, the style may become permanent after three years' service in the ministry. All such awards are published in the ''Commonwealth Government Gazette''. The presiding officers of the parliaments of the Commonwealth, the states and the Northern Territory are also styled ''the Honourable'', but normally only during their tenure of office. Special permission is sometimes given for a former presiding officer to retain the style after leaving office, as is the case in the Northern Territory.
=Members of Parliament
=
The title ''Honourable'' is not acquired through membership of either the House of Representatives or the Senate (see Parliament of Australia). A member or senator may have the style if they have acquired it separately, e.g. by being a current or former minister. During proceedings within the chambers, forms such as "the honourable member for ...", "the honourable Leader of the Opposition", or "my honourable colleague" are used. This is a parliamentary courtesy and does not imply any right to the style.
Traditionally, members of the legislative councils of the states have been styled ''the Honourable'' for the duration of their terms. That practice is still followed in New South Wales Legislative Council, New South Wales, Western Australian Legislative Council, Western Australia, South Australian Legislative Council, South Australia and Tasmanian Legislative Council, Tasmania. In Victorian Legislative Council, Victoria, the practice was abolished in 2003. In New South Wales, Greens New South Wales, Greens NSW members of the New South Wales Legislative Council, Legislative Council, who are eligible for ''the Honourable'' style, have refrained from using it, deeming it to be "outdated" and a "colonial trapping".
=Judges
=
Judges of all superior courts are also referred to formally by the style ''the Honourable'', both during and after holding the office.
New Zealand
The style ''The Honourable'' was first granted in 1854 for use by members of the Executive Council of New Zealand, Executive Council, the Speaker of the New Zealand Legislative Council, Speaker of the Legislative Council, the Members of the New Zealand Legislative Council, Legislative Council, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In addition to the standard Commonwealth usage, the Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Speaker of the Parliament of New Zealand, House of Representatives was entitled to be referred to as ''The Honourable'' until 2010, when it was announced that sitting and future Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Chief Justices, and Speakers of the House of Representatives would be entitled to be referred to as ''Right Honourable (New Zealand), The Right Honourable''.
In July 2006 the Governor-General (and former living Governors-General) were granted the use of the title ''The Honourable'' until 2010 when the Governors-General was granted the title ''Right Honourable'' if they did not hold the style already or were a Privy Counsellor.
New Zealand office holders who are ''The Honourable'' ex-officio are usually granted the style for life by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Governor-General as a courtesy when they vacate the office; all honours and awards are published in ''The New Zealand Gazette''.
South Asia
Bangladesh
In People's Republic of Bangladesh, House Speaker, Ministers, Members of parliaments and Mayors are entitled to the style ''Honourable''. On the other hand, the Prime Minister and the President are styled ''Honourable'' or ''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 ...
''.
India
In India, judges of the High courts of India, High Courts of India and Supreme Court of India are addressed as ''Honourable'' ''(''Hon'ble'')''; often stylized and abbreviated as "HMJ", i.e., Honourable Mr/Ms. Justice, followed by their name.
The elected legislators and Heads of Government are also formally called ''Honourable'' followed by their name. The vice president is addressed as the hon'ble as well.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, the judicial officers are addressed as honourable while presiding over in the courts of law. It is a norm to address judges of superior judiciary as honourable judges. Diplomats are addressed as Your Excellency. The head of state and Prime Minister is addressed her/his excellency.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the honorific ''The Honourable'' is used to refer to the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament. Attorney-General of Sri Lanka, Attorney-General and Solicitor General of Sri Lanka, Solicitor-General as well as Judges of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka, Court of Appeal and the High Court of Sri Lanka, High Courts.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia
In Malaysia, an elected Member of Parliament or State Legislative Assemblyman is entitled to be referred to as , which translates to 'the honourable'.
Myanmar
In Myanmar, the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court of Myanmar are referred as 'The Honourable'.
Philippines
In the Philippines, the style is usually used to give distinction to any elected official (whether in office or retired) ranging from the smallest political unit, the ''barangay'', to the Congress of the Philippines, which consists of the Senate of the Philippines, Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines, House of Representatives. Appointed officials such as members of the Cabinet of the Philippines, Cabinet (secretaries, acting secretaries, ad interim secretaries, undersecretaries, and assistant secretaries), the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines, Solicitor General, and heads of government agencies at the national and local levels are also accorded this style. For example, a ''Barangay Kagawad, kagawad'' (barangay or village council member) named Juan de la Cruz will be referred to as ''The Honorable Juan de la Cruz''. In written form, the style may be shortened to "Hon." (e.g. ''Hon. Juan de la Cruz'').
The Vice-President of the Philippines, Vice-President, Chief Justice of the Philippines, Chief Justice, Ombudsman of the Philippines, Ombudsman, Justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Supreme Court, Sandiganbayan, and Court of Appeals of the Philippines, Court of Appeals, and Trial Court Judges are also addressed in this honorific style. Meanwhile, the President of the Philippines, President of the Philippines is always given the style Excellency, His/Her Excellency.
Singapore
The Chief Justice of Singapore, Chief Justice, Judges of Appeal, and Justices of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Supreme Court, and the Presiding Judge and District Judges of the State Courts of Singapore, State Courts are conventionally addressed in formal settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''.
All former Prime Minister of Singapore, Prime Ministers and current Parliament of Singapore, Members of the Singapore Parliament is formally addressed in international settings using the honorific ''The Honourable''.
The use of the honorific ''The Honourable'' to refer to the Prime Minister, Ministers, and Members of Parliament is not required by the Standing Orders of Parliament, but during a 1988 parliamentary debate the Parliament of Singapore#Leader of the House, Leader of the House, Wong Kan Seng, said it would be polite for MPs to refer to their colleagues using the terms "Mr.", "Honourable Mr." or "Honourable Minister" depending on their choice.
The honorific is usually also used to address the Attorney-General of Singapore, Attorney-General and Solicitors-General, and the heads of states and leaders of foreign countries on short-term visits to Singapore.[See, for example, : "''The Honourable'' Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia, …".]
Non-governmental use
Private, non-profit, and non-governmental (NGO) organisations, and religious movements sometimes style a leader or founder as ''The Honourable'', e.g. ''The Honourable Elijah Muhammad''.
See also
* Honour (style)
* Honorary degree (also uses the abbreviation "Hon" in front of that of the degree, e.g. Hon DLitt)
* The Most Honourable
* The Right Honourable
* The Much Honoured
* Worship (style)
References
External links
Caricom.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Honourable, The
Styles (forms of address)