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A style of office or form of address, also called manner of address, is an official or legally recognized form of address for a person or other entity (such as a government or company), and may often be used in conjunction with a personal title. A style, by tradition or law, precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or
political office The incumbent is the current holder of an office or position, usually in relation to an election. In an election for president, the incumbent is the person holding or acting in the office of president before the election, whether seeking re-el ...
, and is sometimes used to refer to the office itself. An honorific can also be awarded to an individual in a personal capacity. Such styles are particularly associated with monarchies, where they may be used by a wife of an office holder or of a prince of the blood, for the duration of their marriage. They are also almost universally used for presidents in republics and in many countries for members of
legislative bodies A legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws for a political entity such as a country or city. They are often contrasted with the executive and judicial powers of government. Laws enacted by legislatures are usually known a ...
, higher-ranking judges, and senior constitutional office holders. Leading religious figures also have styles.


Examples


Academia

Traditional forms of address at
German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...
-speaking universities: *His/Her Magnificence – rector (president) of a university *His/Her Notability (; Professors have the privilege to use the Latin ) – dean of a faculty Traditional forms of address at Dutch-speaking universities: *His/Her Great Honour () – rector magnificus (president) of a university *Highly Learned Sir/Madam () – professor or dean of a faculty *Well (Noble) Very Learned Sir/Madam () – a doctor *Well (Noble) Learned Sir/Madam () – a doctorandus *Well (Noble) Strictly Sir/Madam () – a master in laws () or a university engineer () Traditional forms of address at Italian-speaking universities: *Magnificent Rector () – rector (president, chancellor) of a university *Amplified Headmaster () – dean of a faculty (now uncommon) *Illustrious/Enlightened Professor () – a full professor


Government


Diplomats

*His Most Reverend Excellency (abbreviation ''His Most Rev. Ex.'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – apostolic nuncios, because their rank is equal to that of an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, and they are simultaneously higher prelates. *His/Her
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 r ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – most ambassadors, high commissioners and permanent representatives to international organizations; sometimes also the presidents of republics, governors-general, governors of provinces and prime ministers. * The Honorable (oral address ''Mr./Madam Ambassador'') – US ambassadors. Typically US ambassadors are addressed as "Your Excellency" by non-US citizens outside the United States.


Judiciaries

* My Lord/Your Honour is used to address judiciary representatives in
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
. *The Honorable (abbreviation ''The Hon.'', oral address ''Your Honor'') – Judges and justices in the
United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
. * Oral address ''Your Excellency'' – Judges of the
International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice (ICJ; french: Cour internationale de justice, links=no; ), sometimes known as the World Court, is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). It settles disputes between states in accordan ...
. * Oral address ''Your Worship'' – All courts in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
(obsolete). * Oral address ''Your Honour'' – All courts in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. With an area of , Australia is the largest country by ...
.


=United Kingdom

= * His/Her Honour Judge X (abbreviation ''HHJ X'', oral address ''Your Honour'') – Circuit judges in
England and Wales England and Wales () is one of the three legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom. It covers the constituent countries England and Wales and was formed by the Laws in Wales Acts 1535 and 1542. The substantive law of the jurisdiction is En ...
. *
The Honourable ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certa ...
Mr./Ms. Justice X (abbreviation ''X J'', referential ''His Lordship/Her Ladyship''; oral address ''My Lord/Lady'' or ''Your Lordship/Your Ladyship'') – Judges of the
High Court of Justice The High Court of Justice in London, known properly as His Majesty's High Court of Justice in England, together with the Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, are the Senior Courts of England and Wales. Its name is abbreviated as EWHC ( Engl ...
of England and Wales. *
The 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 ter ...
Lord/Lady Justice X (abbreviation ''X LJ'') – Judges of the
Court of Appeal of England and Wales The Court of Appeal (formally "His Majesty's Court of Appeal in England", commonly cited as "CA", "EWCA" or "CoA") is the highest court within the Senior Courts of England and Wales, and second in the legal system of England and Wales only t ...
. * The Lord/Lady/Baroness X (abbreviated to ''Lord/Lady/Baroness X'', referred to as ''His Lordship/Her Ladyship'', addressed orally as ''My Lord/My Lady'') – Judges in the High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session in Scotland, and the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. * Oral address ''
Your Worship Worship is an honorific prefix for mayors, justices of the peace and magistrates in present or former Commonwealth realms. In spoken address, these officials are addressed as Your Worship or referred to as His Worship, Her Worship, or Their Worshi ...
'' –
Justices of the peace A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or '' puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission (letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sam ...
(magistrates) in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
, usually by solicitors.


Monarchies

* Sire (oral address first '' Your Majesty'' and then ''Sire''; for a queen first ''Your Majesty'' and then ''
Ma'am Madam (), or madame ( or ), is a polite and formal form of address for women in the English language, often contracted to ma'am (pronounced in American English and this way but also in British English). The term derives from the French ''mad ...
'') – Reigning kings in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
and in
Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...
. It has also been used in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
,
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
,
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...
,
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of th ...
,
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...
and
Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , ...
. *His/Her Imperial Majesty, (abbreviation ''HIM'', oral address ''Your Imperial Majesty'') – Emperors and empresses. Formerly, for example, HIM the Shah of Iran. In modern times, the
Emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...
more often uses the simpler style of "Majesty". *His/Her Imperial and Royal Majesty (abbreviation ''HI&RM'', oral address ''Your Imperial and Royal Majesty'') – Until 1918, the rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, who were Emperors/Empresses of Austria while also Kings/Queens of Hungary, and the German emperors/empresses, who were simultaneously Kings/Queens of Prussia. *His/Her
Apostolic Majesty His (Royal) Apostolic Majesty was a styled title used by the Kings of Hungary, in the sense of being latter-day apostles of Christianity. First creation The origin of this title dates from about A.D. 1000 when it was conferred by Pope Silvester I ...
(abbreviation ''HAM'', oral address ''Your Apostolic Majesty'') – the King of Hungary, usually styled Imperial Majesty or Imperial and Royal Majesty as Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, also sometimes Imperial and Royal Apostolic Majesty. *His/Her Britannic Majesty – the British monarch (not usual); used as a formal and official term in
diplomacy Diplomacy comprises spoken or written communication by representatives of states (such as leaders and diplomats) intended to influence events in the international system.Ronald Peter Barston, ''Modern diplomacy'', Pearson Education, 2006, p. ...
, the
law of nation International law (also known as public international law and the law of nations) is the set of rules, norms, and standards generally recognized as binding between states. It establishes normative guidelines and a common conceptual framework for ...
s, and international relations, e.g. in British passports. * His/Her
Most Gracious Majesty Most Gracious Majesty is a form of address in the United Kingdom. It is an elaborate version of Your Majesty and is only used in the most formal of occasions. Historical background Around 1519 King Henry VIII decided Majesty should become the ...
– an elaborate version of His/Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, only used in the most formal of occasions. * His/Her
Most Excellent Majesty Most Excellent Majesty is a form of address in the United Kingdom. It is mainly used in Acts of Parliament, where the phrase "the King's ueen'smost Excellent Majesty" is used in the enacting clause. The standard is as follows: The phrase is al ...
– another elaborate version of His/Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, mainly used in Acts of Parliament. * His/Her Catholic Majesty (abbreviation ''HCM'', oral address ''Your Catholic Majesty'') – the King of Spain (not usual). *His Most Christian Majesty – the King of France until 1790 and from 1815 to 1830. *His/Her Faithful Majesty (abbreviation ''HFM'', oral address ''Your Faithful Majesty'') – the King of Portugal until deposed in 1910. *His/Her Majesty (abbreviation ''HM'', oral address ''Your Majesty'') – kings, queens and some sultans. For example, HM 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 durin ...
, HM King
Mohammed VI Muhammad VI may refer to: * Muhammad Imaaduddeen VI (1868–1932), sultan of the Maldives from 1893 to 1902 * Mehmed VI (1861–1926), sultan of Ottoman Empire, from 1918 to 1922 * Mohammed VI of Morocco (born 1963), King of Morocco since 19 ...
or HM King
Willem-Alexander Willem-Alexander (; Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand; born ) is King of the Netherlands, having acceded to the throne following his mother's abdication in 2013. Willem-Alexander was born in Utrecht as the oldest child of Princess Bea ...
. *His/Her Imperial Highness (abbreviation ''HIH'', oral address ''Your Imperial Highness'') – members of an imperial house. Currently used by the Imperial House of Japan. *His/Her Imperial and Royal Highness (abbreviation ''HI&RH'', oral address ''Your Imperial and Royal Highness'') – formerly, archdukes of the House of Habsburg, the German crown prince/princess and (post-monarchy) members of the deposed
Brazilian Imperial Family The Brazilian Imperial Family ( Brazilian Portuguese: ''Família Imperial Brasileira'') is a Brazilian Dynasty of Portuguese origin that ruled the Empire of Brazil from 1822 to 1889, after the proclamation of independence by Prince Pedro of Bra ...
; also some women entitled to imperial style by birth and to royal style by marriage (e.g., Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, Duchess of Edinburgh. *His/Her Royal Highness (abbreviation ''HRH'', oral address ''Your Royal Highness'') – some monarchs, members of a royal family (other than monarchs, queens consort and queens dowager); grand dukes/duchesses who have reigned (but not those grand dukes who were cadets of the former Russian Imperial Family), consorts of grand dukes, grand ducal
heirs apparent An heir apparent, often shortened to heir, is a person who is first in an order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person; a person who is first in the order of succession but can be displaced by the b ...
and, in Luxembourg, all dynastic male-line cadets; British princes, their dynastic wives (including the princes consort of queens Victoria and
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 durin ...
), sons, daughters, patrilineal grandsons and granddaughters of Ibn Saud of the House of Saud. * His/Her Grace (oral address ''Your Grace'') is a style used for various high-ranking personages. It was the style used to address Kings of England until King Henry VIII and the King or Queen of Scots up to the Act of Union of 1707, which united the Kingdom of Scotland and the
Kingdom of England The Kingdom of England (, ) was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain from 12 July 927, when it emerged from various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, until 1 May 1707, when it united with Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain. On ...
. Today, the style is used when referring to non-royal dukes and duchesses, and archbishops, in the United Kingdom. For example, His Grace The Duke of Devonshire in the United Kingdom, or His Grace The Archbishop of Canterbury; or ''Your Grace'' in spoken or written address. Royal dukes, for example the Duke of York, are addressed with their higher royal style, '' Royal Highness''. *His/Her Grand Ducal Highness (abbreviation ''HGDH'', oral address ''Your Grand Ducal Highness'') – cadets of some former ruling grand ducal dynasties (
Hesse and by Rhine The Grand Duchy of Hesse and by Rhine (german: link=no, Großherzogtum Hessen und bei Rhein) was a grand duchy in western Germany that existed from 1806 to 1918. The Grand Duchy originally formed from the Landgraviate of Hesse-Darmstadt in 1806 ...
and Baden). *His/Her Highness (abbreviation ''HH'', oral address, ''Your Highness'') – some monarchs, i.e., emirs, some sultans, the Aga Khan; formerly reigning dukes, some maharajahs and rajahs and the members of their dynasties; cadets of most former grand ducal houses; male-line grandchildren and remoter male-line descendants of some kingly dynasties (i.e., Denmark and formerly Brazil, Italy, Japan, UK, Yugoslavia); Belgium's House of Ligne; members of France's former Foreign Princely class, members of cadet branches of the House of Saud. *His/Her
Ducal Serene Highness His/Her Ducal Serene Highness (abbreviation: HDSH) was a style used by members of certain ducal families, such as those of Nassau, Braganza, and the Ernestine duchies (until 1844). This treatment is superior to Serene Highness His/Her Serene Hi ...
(abbreviation ''HDSH'', oral address, ''Your Ducal Serene Highness'') – members of the formerly reigning ducal House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. *His/Her Serene Highness (abbreviation ''HSH'', oral address ''Your Serene Highness'') – German: ; Italian: ; Russian: . Sovereigns of a principality (i.e., Liechtenstein, Monaco); members of formerly reigning princely families (Lippe, Schaumburg-Lippe, Waldeck and Pyrmont and Schwarzburg); members of mediatized families headed by a ("prince"); members of several formerly noble, princely families of Austria, Germany, Bohemia, Hungary and Poland; and a few formerly noble families granted the princely title in Imperial Russia (the style is more literally translated "His/Her Serenity"). *His
Most Serene Highness His/Her Serene Highness (abbreviation: HSH, second person address: Your Serene Highness) is a style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein, Monaco and Thailand. Over the past 400 years, it has also used as a style for senior members ...
(abbreviation ''HMSH'', oral address, ''Your Most Serene Highness'') – Prince-electors of the Holy Roman Empire. *His/Her Illustrious Highness (abbreviation ''HIllH'', oral address ''Your Illustrious Highness'', German: ); Italian: ; Spanish: ; Russian: . Mediatized
count Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York ...
s and, sometimes, members of their families. *His/Her Princely Grace () - former style for members of a few noble families of monarchical Germany. *The High-born () – counts in some Scandinavian and Benelux monarchies and, formerly, Germany and Austria. *The High Well-born () – Dutch barons; knights and untitled members of the lower nobility in German-speaking monarchies. *His/Her
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 r ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – governors-general, British colonial governors, state officials, and generals of Imperial Russia. Occasionally, prime ministers and cabinet ministers. For example, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands; in Denmark, a few high-ranked nobles (e.g., Counts af Danneskiold-Samsø, Counts of Rosenborg, , knights of the Order of the Elephant). *'' Don'' (, , pt, Dom, links=no ), from the
Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through ...
word (roughly, "Lord"), is an honorific title used in Spain, Portugal, Italy,
Iberoamerica Ibero-America ( es, Iberoamérica, pt, Ibero-América) or Iberian America is a region in the Americas comprising countries or territories where Spanish or Portuguese are predominant languages (usually former territories of Portugal or Spain) ...
and the Philippines. The female equivalent is (), (), and (), abbreviated as "Dª" or simply "D." Although originally a title reserved for royalty, select nobles, and church hierarchs, it is now often used as a mark of esteem for a person of personal, social or official distinction, such as a community leader of long standing, a person of significant wealth, or a noble, but it may also be used
ironically Irony (), in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected; it is an important rhetorical device and literary technique. Irony can be categorized into d ...
. As a style, rather than a title or rank, it is used with, and not instead of, a person's name. *In Portugal and Brazil, () is used for certain hierarchs of the Roman Catholic Church and for laymen who belong to the royal and imperial families (for example, the House of Aviz in Portugal and the House of Braganza in Portugal and Brazil). It was also accorded to members of families of the titled Portuguese nobility. Unless ennobling letters patent specifically authorised its use, was not attributed to members of Portugal's untitled nobility. Since hereditary titles in Portugal descended according to primogeniture, the right to the style of was the only apparent distinction between cadets of titled families and members of untitled noble families. * Most High, Mighty, and Illustrious Prince – for royal dukes, oral address Your Royal Highness. * Son of Heaven – Used by Chinese and some Japanese emperors. * High King * Great King * King of Kings – Used by especially Semitic, Persian and some Indian rulers. * "Taewang" "Greatest of Kings" – was used by the later rulers of the Korean kingdom of Koguryo. * Lord of the Isles – Used by an heir apparent of the British monarchy. *
High Steward of Scotland The title of High Steward or Great Steward is that of an officer who controls the domestic affairs of a royal household. In the 12th century King David I of Scotland gave the title to Walter fitz Alan, a nobleman from Brittany, whose descen ...
– Used by an heir apparent of the British monarchy. *
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (abbreviation ''CTHM''; ar, خَادِمُ ٱلْحَرَمَيْنِ ٱلشَّرِيفَيْنِ, '), Servant of the Two Noble Sanctuaries or Protector of the Two Holy Cities, is a royal style that has been u ...
(abbreviation CTHM) ( ar, خادم الحرمين الشريفين ), sometimes translated as Servant of the Two Noble Sanctuaries or Protector of the Two Holy Cities, is a royal style that has been used by many Islamic rulers including the Ayyubids, the
Mamluk Sultans of Egypt The Mamluk Sultanate ( ar, سلطنة المماليك, translit=Salṭanat al-Mamālīk), also known as Mamluk Egypt or the Mamluk Empire, was a state that ruled Egypt, the Levant and the Hejaz (western Arabia) from the mid-13th to early 1 ...
, the Ottoman Sultans, and the modern Saudi kings. The title refers to the ruler taking the responsibility of guarding and maintaining the two holiest mosques in
Islam Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the ...
,
Al-Masjid al-Haram , native_name_lang = ar , religious_affiliation = Islam , image = Al-Haram mosque - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg , image_upright = 1.25 , caption = Aerial view of the Great Mosque of Mecca , ma ...
(the Sacred Mosque) in
Mecca Mecca (; officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, commonly shortened to Makkah ()) is a city and administrative center of the Mecca Province of Saudi Arabia, and the holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow v ...
and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) in Medina. In Saudi Arabia, it is used as the official title of the king, in place of "His Majesty". * Amīr al-Mu'minīn ( ar, أمير المؤمنين), usually translated Commander of the Faithful or Leader of the Faithful, is the Arabic style of some Caliphs and other independent sovereign
Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
rulers that claim legitimacy from a community of Muslims. It has been claimed as the title of rulers in Muslim countries and empires and is still used for some Muslim leaders. The use of the title does not necessarily signify a claim to caliphate as it is usually taken to be, but described a certain form of activist leadership which may have been attached to a caliph but also could signify a level of authority beneath that. The Ottoman sultans, in particular, made scant use of it. Moreover, the term was used by men who made no claim to be caliphs. Used by the former leader of ISIS Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Ahmadiyya Muslim leader Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the
King of Morocco This is the list of rulers of Morocco, since the establishment of the state in 789. The common and formal titles of these rulers has varied, depending on the time period. Since 1957, the designation King has been used. The present King of Mor ...
, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the supreme leaders of the Afghan Taliban. *Kabiyesi (variously translated as His or Her Royal Majesty, His or Her Royal Highness or His or Her Highness, lit. ''The One whose words are beyond question'') – Used by the Obas of Yorubaland, other aboriginal
Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
high chiefs of royal background, and their counterparts in the tribe's diaspora communities.


=Styles and titles of deposed monarchs

= General tradition indicates that monarchs who have ceased to reign but not renounced their hereditary titles, retain the use of their style and title for the duration of their lifetimes, but both die with them. Hence Greece's deposed king is often still styled ''His Majesty King Constantine II'', as a ''personal'' title, not as occupant of a constitutional office, since the abolition of the monarchy by the Hellenic Republic in 1974. Similarly, until his death, the last King of Italy,
Umberto II en, Albert Nicholas Thomas John Maria of Savoy , house = Savoy , father = Victor Emmanuel III of Italy , mother = Princess Elena of Montenegro , birth_date = , birth_place = Racconigi, Piedmont, Kingdom of Italy , de ...
, was widely referred to as ''King Umberto II'' and sometimes addressed as ''Your Majesty''. In contrast, Simeon of Bulgaria who, subsequent to the loss of his throne in 1947, was elected to and held the premiership of his former realm as "Simeon Sakskoburggotski", and therefore is as often referred to by the latter name as by his former royal title and style. While this rule is generally observed, and indeed some exiled monarchs are allowed diplomatic passports by their former realm, other republics officially object to the use of such titles which are, nonetheless, generally accorded by extant monarchical regimes. In 1981, the then Greek President Konstantinos Karamanlis declined to attend the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales when it was revealed that Greece's deposed monarch, a cousin of the Prince, had been referred to as "King" in his invitation. The current Hellenic Republic has challenged King Constantine's right to use his title and his passport was revoked in 1994 because he did not use a surname, as his passport at the time stated "Constantine, former King of the Hellenes". However, Constantine II now travels in and out of Greece on a Danish diplomatic passport as a descendant of Christian IX of Denmark, by the name ''Constantino de Grecia'' ( Spanish for "Constantine of Greece").


Republics

*His/Her
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 r ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – Presidents of republics (historically, this was first used to refer to George Washington during his tenure as Commander-in-Chief of the Army during the American War of Independence; its use for presidents of republics was established as he was the first president of the first modern republic). In some countries also the prime minister, ministers, governors, ambassadors and high commissioners also use this style. *The
President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal gove ...
is properly directly addressed as "Mr./Madam President" and introduced as "The President of the United States"; however, His/Her/Your Excellency may properly be used in written communications and is sometimes used in official documents. *The custom in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
is to call office holders acting within their official capacity or followed by the name of their offices. Thus, the President of the Republic is called or if a male, and if a female. Styles such as "excellency" or similar are not used, except for talking about foreign dignitaries. Traditionally after "Madame", the name of the office is not put into the feminine form, but this is becoming less common (hence, "Madame le président" is being replaced by "Madame la présidente"). *In
Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...
, members of the lower house (Chamber of Deputies) of the Parliament of Italy are styled ''Honourable'' ( it, Onorevole, abbreviation ). The correct form to address a member of the upper house (Senate) is ''Senator'' ( it, Senatore, abbreviation ; even though, for gravitas, they may also be addressed ''Honourable Senator''). *The incumbent president of Finland is addressed (Mr./Ms. President of the Republic), while a former president is addressed as just . *The style used for the President of Ireland is normally His Excellency/Her Excellency ( ga, A Shoilse/A Soilse); sometimes people may orally address the President as 'Your Excellency' ( ga, A Shoilse � ˈhəʎʃə, or simply 'President' ( ga, A Uachtaráin � ˈuəxt̪ˠəɾˠaːnˠ(vocative case)). * During the Republic of the United Netherlands, the States-General were collectively addressed as "Their High and Mighty Lords" ( nl, Hoogmogende Heren). * The Honourable – Presidents, prime ministers, ministers, governors, members of parliament, senate and congress in some countries. (Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka.)


Medicine

*Doctor – In the United Kingdom, university degrees supporting medical and dental licensure are all bachelor's degrees (MB, MBBS, BDS, MB BS BAO, BMed, etc.). These graduates are addressed as 'doctor' by courtesy and convention. *Mr/Miss/Mrs – Surgeons in the UK revert to the title 'Mr', 'Miss' or 'Mrs' after obtaining the postgraduate qualification MRCS. Other doctors, on the other hand, retain the title 'Doctor' after obtaining other postgraduate qualifications, such as MRCP.


Nautical and aeronautical

*Captain – a person who commands and is responsible for the lives of crew and passengers on a naval or civil vessel or aircraft. In the US military, ''captain'' is used regardless of the actual rank of the person being addressed. For example, on a US naval vessel commanded by someone holding a rank of lieutenant commander or lower is addressed as "Captain", in reference to his position in command of the ship, not his military rank. This would apply even to an
enlisted man An enlisted rank (also known as an enlisted grade or enlisted rate) is, in some armed services, any rank below that of a commissioned officer. The term can be inclusive of non-commissioned officers or warrant officers, except in United States mi ...
in charge of a small boat.


Religious

* His Holiness (abbreviation HH), oral address ''Your Holiness'', or ''Holy Father'' – the
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
and the Pope Emeritus (but ''Holy Father'' is not used for the latter). * His All Holiness (abbreviation ''HAH''), oral address ''Your All Holiness'' – the
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople The ecumenical patriarch ( el, Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης, translit=Oikoumenikós Patriárchēs) is the archbishop of Constantinople ( Istanbul), New Rome and '' primus inter pares'' (first among equals) among the heads of ...
. *His Holiness (abbreviation ''HH''), oral address ''Your Holiness'' – the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, Patriarch of Peć and the Serbs, Catholicos of All Armenians, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Malankara Orthodox Catholicos and some other patriarchs of the Christian Church. *His Holiness (abbreviation ''HH''), oral address ''Your Holiness'' – the Dalai Lama, the
Panchen Lama The Panchen Lama () is a tulku of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in the Gelug tradition, with its spiritual authority second only to Dalai Lama. Along with the council of high lamas, ...
, the
Karmapa The Karmapa (honorific title ''His Holiness the Gyalwa'' ��ྒྱལ་བ་, Victorious One''Karmapa'', more formally as ''Gyalwang'' ��ྒྱལ་དབང་ཀརྨ་པ་, King of Victorious Ones''Karmapa'', and informally as the '' ...
, the Sakya Trizin, and other holders of certain other Tibetan Buddhist lineages. *His Highness the Aga Khan (abbreviation ''HH the Aga Khan.''), oral address ''Your Highness'' and then ''Sir'' – The Imam (spiritual leader) of the Shia Ismaili Muslims. *His Beatitude ''or'' The Most Blessed, oral address ''Your Beatitude'' – Eastern Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox Catholicos of India, Oriental Orthodox and
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
patriarchs, Macedonian Orthodox Church and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych. If they have been elevated to the cardinalate by the Pope, they use the traditional "His Eminence" like other cardinals (more properly and formally, "His Beatitude and Eminence"). * His Most Eminent Royal Highness (abbreviation ''HMERH''), oral address ''Your Most Eminent Royal Highness'' - The Lord of the Rasulid Order. *
His Most Eminent Highness His Eminence (abbreviation H.Em. or H.E. or HE) is a style (manner of address), style of reference for high nobility, still in use in various religious contexts. Catholicism The style remains in use as the official style or standard form of a ...
(abbreviation ''HMEH''), oral address ''Your Most Eminent Highness'' – The
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. * His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em."), oral address ''Your Eminence'' or ''Most Reverend Eminence'' –
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
cardinals *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") ''or'' The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Eminence'' – Eastern Orthodox metropolitans and archbishops who are not the first hierarch of an
autocephalous Autocephaly (; from el, αὐτοκεφαλία, meaning "property of being self-headed") is the status of a hierarchical Christian church whose head bishop does not report to any higher-ranking bishop. The term is primarily used in Eastern O ...
church; *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") – Certain high lamas or
rinpoche Rinpoche, also spelled Rimboche and Rinboku (), is an honorific term used in the Tibetan language. It literally means "precious one", and may refer to a person, place, or thing—like the words "gem" or "jewel" ( Sanskrit: ''Ratna''). The word co ...
s in Tibetan Buddhism as well as presiding head bishops or priests of Japanese Buddhist schools. *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") – The Sultan of Sokoto, spiritual leader of
Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
's Muslims, as well as those of his fellow Fula high chiefs that choose not to style themselves as HRHs. *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") – The Grand Master of the Murjite Order. *His Excellency ''or'' The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Excellency'' –
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
archbishops and bishops in the United States and Canada (the oral address is not recognized by Canadian civil authorities, who prescribe ''Archbishop/Bishop'' instead); or, *His Grace ''or'' The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' –
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
archbishops in Commonwealth countries except Canada;
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
bishops in
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...
; and Mar Thoma Metropolitans *His Grace ''or'' The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' – Eastern Orthodox bishops. *Kabiyesi (variously translated as His or Her Royal Majesty, His or Her Royal Highness or His or Her Highness, lit. ''The One whose words are beyond question'') – The Obas of Yorubaland, other aboriginal
Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
high chiefs of royal background, and their counterparts in the tribe's diaspora communities. *His Lordship ''or'' The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''My Lord'' – Anglican and
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
bishops in Commonwealth countries other than Canada. *The Most Reverend and Right Honourable (abbreviation ''The Most Rev. and Rt Hon.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' –
Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Brit ...
(Anglican) archbishops who are privy counsellors, usually the Archbishops of Canterbury and
York York is a cathedral city with Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. It is the historic county town of Yorkshire. The city has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a ...
*The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' – Anglican archbishops, primates, metropolitans and presiding bishops. Canadian Anglican (arch)bishops are orally addressed simply as ''Archbishop/Bishop''. Also moderators. *The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''My Lord'' –
Church of Ireland The Church of Ireland ( ga, Eaglais na hÉireann, ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Kirk o Airlann, ) is a Christian church in Ireland and an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the sec ...
(Anglican) Bishop of Meath and Kildare (due to being, historically, the most senior bishop in Ireland) *The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Presiding Bishop'' – the Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana *The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' – the Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church in the United States The Episcopal Church, based in the United States with additional dioceses elsewhere, is a member church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is a mainline Protestant denomination and is divided into nine provinces. The presiding bishop of ...
*The Right Reverend and Right Honourable
Monsignor Monsignor (; it, monsignore ) is an honorific form of address or title for certain male clergy members, usually members of the Roman Catholic Church. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian ''monsignore'', meaning "my lord". "Monsignor" ...
(abbreviation ''The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon. Mgr''), oral address ''Monsignor'', or according to personal preference – Prelate of Honour who is also a privy counsellor (The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Monsignor
Graham Leonard Graham Douglas Leonard (8 May 1921 – 6 January 2010) was an English Roman Catholic priest and former Anglican bishop. His principal ministry was as a bishop of the Church of England but, after his retirement as the Bishop of London, he be ...
KCVO). *The Right Reverend and Right Honourable (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon.''), oral address ''Bishop'' or ''My Lord'' (old-fashioned) –
Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Brit ...
(Anglican) bishops who are members of the Privy Council, usually the
Bishop of London A bishop is an ordained clergy member who is entrusted with a position of authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance of dioceses. The role or office of bishop is ca ...
. *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' or ''My Lord'' (old-fashioned) – other
Church of England The Church of England (C of E) is the established Christian church in England and the mother church of the international Anglican Communion. It traces its history to the Christian church recorded as existing in the Roman province of Brit ...
bishops *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' – bishops Episcopal Church (United States) *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''Mr./Mrs./Ms. (surname)''
Moderator of the United Church of Canada The Moderator of the United Church of Canada is the most senior elected official within the United Church of Canada. He or she may be a lay person or a member of the Order of Ministry and is elected to a three-year term by commissioners attend ...
or of the Presbyterian Church in Canada *The Right Reverend Father (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev. Fr.''), oral address ''Father'' – Eastern Orthodox
archimandrite The title archimandrite ( gr, ἀρχιμανδρίτης, archimandritēs), used in Eastern Christianity, originally referred to a superior abbot (''hegumenos'', gr, ἡγούμενος, present participle of the verb meaning "to lead") whom ...
s. *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Father'' or ''Father Abbot'' –
Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...
abbots. *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' – diocesan bishop of the Methodist Church Ghana *Bishop, oral address ''Bishop'' – an area bishop in the United Methodist Church. The Right Reverend has never been pervasive in the United Methodist Church. *His Divine Worship, or (His) Divine Worship: The Bishop (abbreviation ''DW:TB''), oral address ''Your Divine Worship'', afterwards ''My Lord'', ''My Lord Bishop'', or ''Bishop'' – a bishop in one of the Personal Ordinariates for former Anglicans, especially the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. If the ordinary is merely a priest and not a bishop, then he is styled His Divine Worship, or (His) Divine Worship: The Ordinary (abbreviation ''DW:TO''), also His Divine Worship: the Reverend Monsignor, as applicable. The first oral address remains ''Your Divine Worship'', but afterwards reverts simply to ''Father'' or ''Monsignor''. * The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev. ''), oral address ''Father'' –
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 ...
vicars general, judicial vicars, judges, rectors of seminaries,
vicars forane A dean, in an ecclesiastical context, is a cleric holding certain positions of authority within a religious hierarchy. The title is used mainly in the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and many Lutheran denominations. A dean's assista ...
, episcopal vicars, general superiors of religious orders of priests, provincial superiors, priors of monasteries or friaries *The Very Reverend Father (abbreviation ''The Very Rev. Fr.''), oral address ''Father'' – Eastern Orthodox archpriests *The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev.''), oral address ''Mr/Madam Dean'' or ''Mr/Madam Provost'', as appropriate, or ''Very Reverend Sir/Madam'' – Anglican deans and provosts of
cathedral A cathedral is a church that contains the ''cathedra'' () of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually specific to those Christian denominations ...
s, the deans of Westminster Abbey and St George's Chapel, Windsor, and, for historical reasons, a few parish priests, such as the Dean of Bocking. Sometimes an Anglican cathedral dean has previously been a bishop, in which case he or she is styled as a bishop, but on formal occasions may be addressed ''Mr/Madam Dean''. Canadian deans are orally addressed as ''Dean'' only. *The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev.''), oral address ''Very Reverend Sir/Madam'' or ''Mr/Madam Dean'' – Deans of some Anglican seminaries, especially those in the United States *The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev.''), oral address ''Osofo Panin'' – Superintendent minister in the Methodist Church Ghana *The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev.''), oral address ''Reverend'' – former moderators of the United Church of Canada and of the Presbyterian Church in Canada; the Canadian government prescribes the oral address ''Mr./Mrs./Ms. (surname)'' *The Reverend Monsignor (abbreviation ''The Rev. Msgr.''), oral address ''Monsignor'' –
Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwide . It is am ...
protonotaries apostolic, honorary prelates, chaplains of his holiness *
The Venerable The Venerable (''venerabilis'' in Latin) is a style, a title, or an epithet which is used in some Western Christian churches, or it is a translation of similar terms for clerics in Eastern Orthodoxy and monastics in Buddhism. Christianity Catho ...
, oral address ''Venerable Sir/Madam'' or ''Mr/Madam Archdeacon'' – Anglican archdeacons; in Canada, they are orally addressed as ''Archdeacon'' only *Venerable (abbreviation "Ven."), oral address "Venerable" or "Venerable <name or title>" – fully ordained
Buddhist monks A ''bhikkhu'' (Pali: भिक्खु, Sanskrit: भिक्षु, ''bhikṣu'') is an ordained male in Buddhist monasticism. Male and female monastics (" nun", ''bhikkhunī'', Sanskrit ''bhikṣuṇī'') are members of the Sangha (Buddhist ...
and nuns, the title of ''Venerable Master'' or ''Most Venerable'' is sometimes appended for senior monks and nuns or monks/nuns acting in their capacity as an abbot/abbess of a monastery *The Reverend and Right Honourable (abbreviation ''The Revd and Rt Hon.'') –
Protestant Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
ordained ministers who are members of the Privy Council (e.g. the late Ian Paisley) *The Reverend the Honourable (abbreviation ''The Rev. the Hon.''), oral address according to ecclesiastical or other status – ordained son of an earl, viscount, or baron, or ordained daughter of a viscount or baron (unless also a privy counsellor or peer) *The Very Reverend (abbreviation "The Very Rev."), oral address: "Overseer" – in the Anglican-Apostolic Communion (Pentecostal) tradition, the overseer is the lowest level of prelate (only non–consecrated bishop prelate), with oversight to a specific work or department, directly responsible to the primate/presiding bishop or an ordinary/diocesan bishop. *The Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rev.'' or ''The Rev'd'') – Protestant and Anglican ordained ministers (common variants include ''Pastor'', ''Parson'', ''Vicar'', or simply ''Reverend'' (Rev.), as used in American English; see: The Reverend) ); some Jewish cantors also use this style, almost all Buddhist ministers in Japan use this style *The Reverend Canon (abbreviation ''The Rev. Canon''), oral address ''Canon'' –
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 ...
and Anglican canons *The Reverend Doctor (abbreviation ''The Rev. Dr.''), oral address ''Father'' or ''Doctor'' – Priests and other ordained clergy with a doctorate *The Reverend Father (abbreviation ''The Rev. Fr.''), oral address ''Father'' –
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 ...
(and many Anglican) priests *The Reverend Mother (abbreviation ''The Rev. Mo.''), oral address ''Mother'' – Abbesses (also, some female Anglican priests ) *The Reverend Deacon (abbreviation ''Rev. Deacon''), oral address ''Deacon''
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 ...
permanent Deacons. *The Reverend Mister (abbreviation ''The Rev. Mr.''), oral address ''Deacon'' –
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 ...
transitional deacons, i.e. those preparing for priesthood. Transitional deacons belonging to religious orders (monastic and non-monastic) are titled Reverend Brother, (similar situations and modifications apply to Anglican deacons as in ''The Rev. Fr./Mthr'', above; since women can be deacons, these may be ''The Revd Ms'') *Mother, oral address ''Mother'' – heads of some female
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 ...
religious convents and other communities who are not abbesses *Mister (abbreviation ''Mr.''), oral address ''Mister'' –
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 ...
Sulpician priests *Mister (abbreviation ''Mr.''), oral address often ''Mister'' –
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 ...
seminarians and scholastics (members preparing for priesthood) of ''some'' religious orders (notably, Jesuits). *Father (pater) *Brother (abbreviation ''Bro.''), oral address ''Brother'' –
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 ...
members of religious orders under vows (both monastic and non-monastic) who are not priests. *Sister (abbreviation ''Sr.''), oral address ''Sister'' –
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 ...
members of religious orders under vows (both monastic and non-monastic) who are not abbesses. *
Elder An elder is someone with a degree of seniority or authority. Elder or elders may refer to: Positions Administrative * Elder (administrative title), a position of authority Cultural * North American Indigenous elder, a person who has and ...
: used generally for male missionaries of
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a Nontrinitarianism, nontrinitarian Christianity, Christian church that considers itself to be the Restorationism, restoration of the ...
(LDS Church) and for members of the adult leadership known as the general authorities. Although most all male adults of the LDS church are elders, the title is reserved for the prior mentioned groups. *Grand Rabbi, oral address ''Rabbi'' – Hasidic rabbis, who are scions of a Hasidic Dynasty. *''Don'' (, , pt, Dom, links=no ) from Latin ''dominus'', (roughly, "Lord") is an honorific title used in Spain, Portugal, Italy,
Iberoamerica Ibero-America ( es, Iberoamérica, pt, Ibero-América) or Iberian America is a region in the Americas comprising countries or territories where Spanish or Portuguese are predominant languages (usually former territories of Portugal or Spain) ...
and the Philippines. The female equivalent is ''doña'' (), ''donna'' (), and ''dona'' (), abbreviated "Dª" or simply "D." Although originally a title reserved for royalty, select nobles, and church hierarchs, it is now often used as a mark of esteem for a person of personal, social or official distinction, such as a community leader of long standing, a person of significant wealth, or a noble, but may also be used
ironically Irony (), in its broadest sense, is the juxtaposition of what on the surface appears to be the case and what is actually the case or to be expected; it is an important rhetorical device and literary technique. Irony can be categorized into d ...
. As a style, rather than a title or rank, it is used with, and not instead of, a person's name. * Dom is an honorific prefixed to the
given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...
. It derives from the Latin '' Dominus''. It is used in English for certain Benedictine (including some communities which follow the Rule of St. Benedict) and Carthusian
monks A monk (, from el, μοναχός, ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a person who practices religious asceticism by monastic living, either alone or with any number of other monks. A monk may be a person who decides to dedic ...
, and for members of certain communities of Canons Regular. Examples include Benedictine monks of the English Benedictine Congregation (e.g. Dom John Chapman, late Abbot of Downside). The equivalent female usage for such a monastic is " Dame" (e.g. Dame Laurentia McLachlan, late Abbess of Stanbrook, or Dame Felicitas Corrigan, author). **''Dom'' has historically been used on occasions in French, as an honorific for Benedictine monks, such as the famous '' Dom Pérignon''. *Rabbi, oral address ''Rabbi'' (or, if holder of the appropriate degree, ''Doctor'' both in oral and written communication) – rabbis *Grand Ayatullah, oral address ''Ayatullah'' or ''Ayatullah al-Uzma'' – Shia
Ayatullah Ayatollah ( ; fa, آیت‌الله, āyatollāh) is an honorific title for high-ranking Twelver Shia clergy in Iran and Iraq that came into widespread usage in the 20th century. Etymology The title is originally derived from Arabic word pr ...
s, who have accomplished the highest religious jurisprudent knowledge degree called as marja' and some people officially follow them. *Ayatullah, oral address ''Ayatullah'' – Shia religious degree who has accomplished a religious high course of lessons and is capable of individually issuing religious verdicts. *Amīr al-Mu'minīn ( ar, أمير المؤمنين), usually translated Commander of the Faithful or Leader of the Faithful, is the Arabic style of some Caliphs and other independent sovereign
Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
rulers that claim legitimacy from a community of Muslims. It has been claimed as the title of rulers in Muslim countries and empires and is still used for some Muslim leaders. The use of the title does not necessarily signify a claim to caliphate as it is usually taken to be, but described a certain form of activist leadership which may have been attached to a caliph but also could signify a level of authority beneath that. The Ottoman sultans, in particular, made scant use of it. Moreover, the term was used by men who made no claim to be caliphs. Currently used by the Caliph of ISIS Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the
King of Morocco This is the list of rulers of Morocco, since the establishment of the state in 789. The common and formal titles of these rulers has varied, depending on the time period. Since 1957, the designation King has been used. The present King of Mor ...
, The Sultan of Sokoto, The supreme leaders of the Afghan Taliban. *Cantor, oral address ''Cantor'' (some cantors use ''The Reverend'' as style, as above) – Jewish
cantors A cantor or chanter is a person who leads people in singing or sometimes in prayer. In formal Jewish worship, a cantor is a person who sings solo verses or passages to which the choir or congregation responds. In Judaism, a cantor sings and lead ...
*Reverend, oral address ''Reverend'', ''Mister'' or ''Brother'' – ordained ministers/pastors *Pastor (abbreviation "Pr"), oral address 'Pastor" – minister responsible for caring for the "flock" in Lutheran churches *Pandit (sometimes spelled ''Pundit'') – Hindu priests * Swami – in
Hinduism Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into a religious monastic order. Informally, "Swamiji". *Officers of The Salvation Army are addressed by their rank, e.g. "Captain" (Capt.), "Major" (Maj.), etc. *A wide variety of titles for Neo-pagan religions; Lord/Lady, Father/Mother, and High Priest/Priestess are common


In different countries


Australia

* His/Her Majesty – The King or Queen of Australia * His/Her Excellency
The Honourable ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certa ...
Governor-General and his or her spouse, and The Honourable or His/Her Excellency for the rest of state governors (but not their spouse) *The Honourable – all current and former governors-general and Administrators of the Northern Territory, Justices of the High Court of Australia, the Federal Court of Australia, the Family Court of Australia and state supreme courts *The Honourable – all current and former members of the Federal Executive Council and all current members of state executive councils and certain former members of state executive councils and long-serving members of state Legislative Councils (upper houses of state parliaments) that have been given the right to keep the title by permission of the governor of that state. *His/Her Honour (oral address ''Your Honour'') – magistrates and judges in appellate, district and county courts. *The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor – Lord mayors of Australian cities *His/Her Worship – Administrators of territories (obsolete), magistrates (obsolete) and mayors.


Brunei

Known as ''terasul'' in the Malay language. * ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (Kebawah DYMM)'', equivalent to His or Her Majesty (HM) – for Sultan and his first royal consort. The style is added more depends on the situation: **Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Sultan, for Sultan before coronation. **Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan, for Sultan after coronation. **Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Isteri for the queen consort before coronation **Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Baginda Raja Isteri for the queen consort after coronation **Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Raja — for the second wife of the Sultan during coronation * ''Kebawah Duli'', for a Sultan that has not gone through puberty. * ''Duli Yang Maha Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Isteri'', for the second wife of the Sultan after coronation * ''Duli Yang Teramat Mulia (DYTM)'', equivalent to His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) – for the Crown Prince and his consort and for the abdicated Sultan and his consort. ** Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan — for Sultan that abdicated from the throne ** Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Suri Seri Begawan Raja — for the Sultan's consort when the Sultan abdicated from the throne ** Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Muda Mahkota — for the Crown Prince ** Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri — for the Crown Prince's consort * ''Yang Teramat Mulia (YTM)'', to His or Her Royal Highness (HRH) – for the children of the Sultan that were born by their royal mother (both parents of the royal mother are royalties and not a commoner) ** Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Duli Pengiran Muda — for the Sultan's son that has full royal blood ** Yang Teramat Mulia Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Puteri— for the Sultan's daughter by a royal mother (non-commoner) ** Yang Teramat Mulia Pengiran Babu Raja — for the Queen Consort's mother * ''Yang Amat Mulia (YAM)'', for the consort of a royal prince and their children, and for the Sultan's children by their commoner mother ** Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri — for the consort of the Sultan's son (full royal blood) ** Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda — for the son (full royal blood) of the Sultan's son (full royal blood) ** Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak — for the children of the Sultan that were born by a commoner mother; daughter (full royal blood) of the Sultan's son (full royal blood); children (full royal blood) of the Sultan's daughter (full royal blood); children (full royal blood) of the Sultan's children (half royal blood) * ''Yang Mulia (YM)'' ** Yang Mulia Pengiran Anak — for the children that both parents hold the title ''Pengiran Anak'' ** Yang Mulia Pengiran — for the children of a Pengiran Anak and his wife that is not also a Pengiran Anak; non-royal Pengiran (a commoner Pengiran)


Canada

*His/Her Majesty – King/Queen of Canada *His/Her Excellency – Governor General, vice-regal consort, ambassadors, and high commissioners ''in office'' *
The 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 ter ...
– Governors general, prime ministers, chief justices of Canada and certain eminent Canadians ''for life'' *His/Her Honour – Lieutenant-governors and viceregal consorts ''in office'' *The Honourable **''For life'' – 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 ...
, senators and lieutenant-governors **''In office only'' – Speaker of the House of Commons, ministers of the Crown (however federal ministers invariably enter the Privy Council upon their initial appointment, thus assuming the honorific for life), judges of provincial courts, premiers of provinces and territories, territorial commissioners, and provincial and territorial cabinet ministers ***Note: Members of Parliament are often referred to in the House of Commons as "the honourable member for ( riding)" but do not use the style ''honourable'' with their name. *The Honourable Mr/Madam Justice – Chief justices of province and justices of superior courts *His/Her Worship – Justices of the peace, magistrates and municipal leaders ''in office''


Chile

*His Excellency - granted to the President, and some senior members of the judiciary. *The Honourable - granted to Senators, members 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 ...
, and other authorities.


Guernsey

* Seigneur or Dame - Registered owners of an ancient Norman fief or seigneurie in Guernsey who have registered their Fief with the Crown and Royal Courts. Under the Feudal Dues law of 1980, the government of Guernsey sanctions the use of the style and distinction of Seigneur or Dame.


New Zealand

* Partial source: * His/Her Majesty – King/ Queen of New Zealand * His/Her Excellency – the current Governor-General (and the Governor-General's spouse). * The Right Honourable – the current and former prime ministers, the current and former Speakers of the Parliament of New Zealand, the current and former chief justices, the current and former governors general, and those who were appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom prior to New Zealand ceasing appeals to it in 2003. * The Honourable – the current and former ministers of the Crown, the current and former judges of the Supreme, High and Appeal courts * His/Her Honour – judges of district courts * His/Her Worship – mayors of territorial authorities and justices of the peace.


Jamaica

The Most Honourable – 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 Hispa ...
, governors-general, as well as their spouses, are entitled to be styled "The Most Honourable" upon receipt of the Jamaican
Order of the Nation The Order of the Nation is a Jamaican honour. It is a part of the Jamaican honours system and was instituted in 1973 as the second-highest honour in the country, with the Order of National Hero being the highest honour. The Order of the Nation ...
."National Awards of Jamaica"
, Jamaica Information Service, accessed 12 May 2015.
Prime ministers and their spouses are also styled this way upon receipt of the Order of the Nation, which is only given to Jamaican governors-general and prime ministers.


India

His Excellency/Her Excellency is used before the name of President of India as well as before of governors of the states. However, it is not mandatory for an Indian citizen to use this style to address the president or the governors after a notification from the President House. But it is mandatory for foreigners to address the president and governors. Your Honour/My Lord – It is used before the names of judges but now it is also not mandatory. The Supreme Court in a hearing said that people need to respect the judges and "Sir" is sufficient for it.


Royal styles in India

With a long history of rulers, there are many styles which vary from territory to territory and languages for royal families in India, commonly Maharaja (for king), Maharani (queen) whereas for their successors Raja, Rani (Maha meaning "Great" removed). Rajkumar (for prince) and Rajkumari (for princess). Others include Hukam (commonly in
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern ...
),
Sardar Sardar, also spelled as Sardaar/Sirdar ( fa, سردار, , 'commander', literally 'headmaster'), is a title of royalty and nobility that was originally used to denote princes, noblemen, chiefs, kings and other aristocrats. It has also be ...
(kings in territories of Punjab within Sikh Empire), Badshah ( Mughal Empire), Vazeer-e-Aala (in Mughal Empire) etc.


African traditional rulers

In most of
Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...
, many styles are used by traditional royalty. Generally the vast majority of the members of these royal families use the titles Prince and Princess, while the higher ranked amongst them also use either Highness or Royal Highness to describe secondary appellations in their native languages that they hold in their realms, appellations that are intended to highlight their relative proximity to their thrones, either literally in the sense of the extant kingships of the continent or symbolically in the sense of its varied chiefships of the name, and which therefore serve a function similar to the said styles of Highness and Royal Highness. For example, the Yoruba people of West Africa usually make use of the word Kabiyesi when speaking either to or about their sovereigns and other royals. As such, it is variously translated as Majesty, Royal Highness or Highness depending on the actual rank of the person in question, though a literal translation of the word would read more like this: ''He (or She) whose words are beyond questioning, Great Lawgiver of the Nation''. Within the Zulu Kingdom of Southern Africa, meanwhile, the monarch and other senior royals are often addressed as uNdabezitha meaning ''He (or She) Who Concerns the Enemy'', but rendered in English as Majesty in address or reference to the king and his consorts, or Royal Highness in the case of other senior members of the royal family.


Hong Kong

The Chief Executive is styled as The Honourable. Certain senior government officials (such as the Chief Secretary for Administration), President of the Legislative Council, members of the Executive Council, and members of the judiciary (such as the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal) are also styled as ''The Honourable''.


Ireland

In
Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel. Ireland is the s ...
, holders of offices with Irish names are usually addressed in English by its nominative form (so, '
Taoiseach The Taoiseach is the head of government, or prime minister, of Ireland. The office is appointed by the president of Ireland upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann (the lower house of the Oireachtas, Ireland's national legislature) and the of ...
' and ' Tánaiste'), though the Irish vocative forms differ (''a Thaoisigh'' and ''a Thánaiste''). The President may be styled 'His/Her Excellency' ( ga, A Shoilse, / ''A Soilse'' ) and addressed 'Your Excellency' (Irish: ''A Shoilse''), or simply 'President' (Irish: ''A Uachtaráin'' ). The titles ' Minister' and ' Senator' are used as forms of address; only the latter as a style. A TD (''Teachta Dála'') is formally addressed and styled as 'Deputy', though often simply ''Mr'', ''Mrs'', etc. Similarly, county and city councillors can be addressed as 'Councillor', abbreviated ''Cllr.'' which is used as a written style, but are just as frequently addressed as ''Mr'', ''Mrs'' etc.


Malaysia

* ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (KDYMM)—'' ** equivalent to His or Her Majesty, is for Yang di-Pertuan Agong and His Majesty's consort, the
Raja Permaisuri Agong ''Raja Permaisuri Agong'' ( Jawi: راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ; full title: ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong''; سري ڤدوک بݢيندا راج ڤرمايسوري اݢوڠ, literally ''The Que ...
, with the prefix ''Seri Paduka Baginda'' added after ''KDYMM.'' ** equivalent to His or Her Royal Highness, is for''—'' *** the Sultan and the Sultanah of Kedah *** the
Sultan of Pahang Sultan of Pahang () is the title of the hereditary constitutional head of Pahang, Malaysia. The current sultan is Al-Sultan Abdullah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah. He is the Head of Islam in the state and the source of all titles, honours and dignit ...
*** the Sultan and Sultanah of
Terengganu Terengganu (; Terengganu Malay: ''Tranung'', Jawi: ), formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu, is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, ''Dāru l- Īmān'' ("Abode of Faith") ...
*** the Sultan of Kelantan *** the Regent of Pahang * ''Duli Yang Maha Mulia (DYMM)—'' ** equivalent to His or Her Majesty, is for the Sultan and the Permaisuri of
Johor Johor (; ), also spelled as Johore, is a state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Johor has land borders with the Malaysian states of Pahang to the north and Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the northwest. Johor shares mariti ...
. ** equivalent to His or Her Royal Highness, is for''—'' *** the
Yang di-Pertuan Besar In Malay, Yang di-Pertuan Besar, literally ''"He Who Is Made Chief Ruler"'', is a title given to the head of state in segments of the Malay Archipelago. In Malaysia # Also known as Yamtuan Besar, it is the title of the elected monarch of the ...
and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan *** the Raja and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis *** the Sultan and the Tengku Permaisuri of
Selangor Selangor (; ), also known by its Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 Malaysian states. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sem ...
*** the Sultan of Perak, with the prefix ''Paduka Seri'' added after ''DYMM.'' *** the Raja Permaisuri of Perak *** the Sultanah of Pahang *** the Raja Perempuan of
Kelantan Kelantan (; Jawi: ; Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate'') is a state in Malaysia. The capital is Kota Bharu and royal seat is Kubang Kerian. The honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' (Jawi: ; "The Blissful Abode"). Kelantan is located in t ...
*''Yang Maha Mulia (YMM),'' equivalent to His or Her Royal Highness, is for all widowed consorts. * ''Kebawah Duli Yang Teramat Mulia (KDYTM)'', equivalent to His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** the Tengku Mahkota and the Tengku Puan of Pahang ** the Yang di-Pertuan Muda and the Tengku Puan Muda of Terengganu * ''Duli Yang Teramat Mulia (DYTM)'', equivalent to His or Her Highness is for''—'' ** the Raja Muda and the Raja Puan Muda of Kedah ** the Raja Muda and the Raja Puan Besar of Perak ** the Raja Muda and the Raja Puan Muda of Selangor ** the Tengku Mahkota and the Tengku Ampuan Mahkota of Kelantan * ''Yang Teramat Mulia (YTM)'', equivalent to His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** Ruling chiefs and Princes of Four of Negeri Sembilan ** Senior royal family members in royal states * ''Duli Yang Amat Mulia (DYAM)'', equivalent to His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** the Tunku Mahkota and the Tunku Ampuan Mahkota of
Johor Johor (; ), also spelled as Johore, is a state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Johor has land borders with the Malaysian states of Pahang to the north and Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the northwest. Johor shares mariti ...
** the Raja di-Hilir and the Raja Puan Muda of Perak * ''Yang Amat Mulia (YAM)'', equivalent to His or
Her Highness Highness (abbreviation HH, oral address Your Highness) is a formal style used to address (in second person) or refer to (in third person) certain members of a reigning or formerly reigning dynasty. It is typically used with a possessive adject ...
, is for royal family members. * ''Yang Mulia (YM)'', equivalent to His or
Her Highness Highness (abbreviation HH, oral address Your Highness) is a formal style used to address (in second person) or refer to (in third person) certain members of a reigning or formerly reigning dynasty. It is typically used with a possessive adject ...
, is for extended royal family members. * ''Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT)'', equivalent to His or
Her 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 rig ...
, is for governors,
high commissioners High may refer to: Science and technology * Height * High (atmospheric), a high-pressure area * High (computability), a quality of a Turing degree, in computability theory * High (tectonics), in geology an area where relative tectonic uplift ...
and ambassadors. * ''Yang Amat Berhormat (Mulia) (YABM/YAB)'', equivalent to
the 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 ter ...
, is for the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. * ''Yang Berhormat (Mulia) (YBM/YB)'', equivalent to
the Honourable ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certa ...
, is for''—'' ** Federal ministers and ministers of state of Sabah and Sarawak ** Federal deputy ministers ** members of
Johor Johor (; ), also spelled as Johore, is a state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Johor has land borders with the Malaysian states of Pahang to the north and Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the northwest. Johor shares mariti ...
Royal Court ** assistant ministers of state of Sabah and Sarawak ** members of State Executive Councils ** members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies ** State Secretaries ** State Legal Advisers in the states of Peninsular Malaysia ** State Financial Officers in the states of Peninsular Malaysia ** persons receiving the title of "''Dato'"'' and "''Datin Paduka"'' from
Johor Johor (; ), also spelled as Johore, is a state of Malaysia in the south of the Malay Peninsula. Johor has land borders with the Malaysian states of Pahang to the north and Malacca and Negeri Sembilan to the northwest. Johor shares mariti ...
* ''Yang Amat Arif (YAA)'', equivalent to
the 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 ter ...
, is for chief judges. * ''Yang Arif (YA)'', equivalent to
the Honourable ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certa ...
, is for''—'' ** judges and judicial commissioners ** Attorney-General of the State of Sarawak * ''Yang Amat Dihormati (YAD)'', equivalent to
the 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 ter ...
, is for royal representatives in districts of
Selangor Selangor (; ), also known by its Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 Malaysian states. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sem ...
. * ''Yang Dihormati (YDh.)'', equivalent to
the Honourable ''The Honourable'' (British English) or ''The Honorable'' ( American English; see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific style that is used as a prefix before the names or titles of certa ...
, is for''—'' ** selected Orang Besar Negeri of Perak ** high and senior police officers * ''Yang Amat Berbahagia (YABhg.)'' is for''—'' ** spouses of governors ** spouses of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Minister ** persons with the title of "''Tun''" ** the Orang Besar Empat of Perak ** spouses of ''Yang Amat Dihormati'' * ''Yang Berbahagia (YBhg.)'' is for''—'' ** the top officials of the Federal Government, namely
Chief Secretary to the Government The Chief Secretary to the Government ( ms, Ketua Setiausaha Negara) is the most senior officer in the Malaysian Civil Service, secretary to the Cabinet of Malaysia and secretary-general of the Prime Minister's Department. History The title of ...
, Attorney General, Chief of Defence Force, Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Public Service and Secretary General of Ministries, with or without any title ** the Orang Besar Lapan of Perak ** persons with the title of "''Tan Sri''" and "''Datuk''", or equivalent, and their spouses ** spouses of high commissioners and ambassadors ** spouses of ''Yang Berhormat'', ''Yang Amat Arif'', ''Yang Arif'', ''Yang Dihormati'', ''Yang Berbahagia'', ''Yang Amat Setia'', ''Sahibus Samahah'', ''Sahibul Fadhilah'' and ''Sahibus Saadah'' * ''Yang Amat Berusaha (YABrs.)'' is for higher public officers without any title in
Kelantan Kelantan (; Jawi: ; Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate'') is a state in Malaysia. The capital is Kota Bharu and royal seat is Kubang Kerian. The honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' (Jawi: ; "The Blissful Abode"). Kelantan is located in t ...
. * ''Yang Berusaha (YBrs.)'' is for''—'' ** high public officers without any title and their spouses ** spouses of ''Yang Amat Berusaha'' and ''Yang Setia'' * ''Yang Amat Setia (YAS)'' is for high military officers without any title. * ''Yang Setia (YS)'' is for senior military officers without any title. * ''Sahibus Samahah (SS)'', equivalent to His Eminence, is for State Muftis''. '' * ''Sahibul Fadhilah (SF)'', equivalent to His Grace, is for State Deputy Muftis,
Qadi A qāḍī ( ar, قاضي, Qāḍī; otherwise transliterated as qazi, cadi, kadi, or kazi) is the magistrate or judge of a '' sharīʿa'' court, who also exercises extrajudicial functions such as mediation, guardianship over orphans and mino ...
s and senior Ulamas. * ''Sahibus Saadah'', equivalent to ''Yang Berbahagia'', is special for the Director of Islamic Affairs of
Selangor Selangor (; ), also known by its Arabic honorific Darul Ehsan, or "Abode of Sincerity", is one of the 13 Malaysian states. It is on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and is bordered by Perak to the north, Pahang to the east, Negeri Sem ...
.


Morocco

* His Majesty – The
King of Morocco This is the list of rulers of Morocco, since the establishment of the state in 789. The common and formal titles of these rulers has varied, depending on the time period. Since 1957, the designation King has been used. The present King of Mor ...
. * His Imperial Majesty – The Sultan of Morocco (before 1957, now obsolete). * His/Her Royal Highness – Prince and princess of Morocco (used for children, grandchildren and siblings of the king as well as for the Princess Consort). * His/Her Highness – Prince and princess of Morocco (used for cousins, uncles and aunts of the king).


Philippines

*His/Her Excellency – The
president of the Philippines The president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangulo ng Pilipinas, sometimes referred to as ''Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of ...
. The title in Filipino is (The Well-Esteemed President). The honorific for the President of the Philippines was adopted from the title of the governor-general of the Philippines during Spanish and American colonial periods. The president may be addressed as "Your Excellency" or more informally as "Mr. President" or "Madam(e) President". *The Honorable – The
vice president of the Philippines The vice president of the Philippines ( fil, Pangalawang Pangulo ng Pilipinas, also referred to as ''Bise Presidente ng Pilipinas'') is the second-highest official in the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the first in the p ...
, members of the
Congress of the Philippines The Congress of the Philippines ( fil, Kongreso ng Pilipinas, italic=unset) is the legislature of the national government of the Philippines. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, although colloquially the ...
, justices of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, governors and vice governors of provinces, mayors and vice mayors of cities or municipalities, and other elected or appointed officials in the government. The title is also conferred to elected and appointed officials of student or other people's organizations that have great participation in creating, implementing, and interpreting policies of the organization. The title in Filipino is (The Honorable). In Senate and congressional inquiries, impeachment procedures, and electoral canvasses, senators, representatives, and officials of the Commission on Elections when they convene as provincial and national boards of canvassers, are mostly addressed as ''Your Honor'', because they perform quasi-judicial functions. *His Magnificence the Very Reverend - The rector magnificus of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas. *Sir/Madam(e) – Common informal manner of address. *Illustrious Knight, Sir/Lady – Titles for members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal, the Philippines' only order of knighthood created by law. *Paduka Mahasari Maulana al Sultan – The sultan of Sulu.


Spain

*His/Her Majesty – the monarch of Spain, when referred to as monarch. When referred to as Head of State, he is usually styled "His Excellency the Head of State". *His/Her Royal Highness – the Prince of Asturias and the Infantes (non-heir apparent royal princes). *His/Her Excellency () – spouses and children of the Infantes, Grandees of Spain, ministers, either from the central government () or from autonomous government (), as well as regional presidents. Mayors and town councils. *His/Her Illustriousness () – marquesses, counts, viscounts, junior ministers either from the central government () or from autonomous government (), justices (), certain prosecutors, members of the royal academies and the holders of certain Spanish decorations. *His/Her Most Excellent and Magnificent Lord – Rector of a university. *His Lordship/Her Ladyship () – barons, seigneurs, members of parliament, judges, court clerks.


Thailand

* His/Her Majesty – The King and Queen of Thailand. * His/Her Royal Highness – Prince and princess of Thailand (used for children and grandchildren of the king)'' ''from " Chao-Fa" ''(เจ้าฟ้า)'' (the most senior rank of prince/princess) to "Phra Chao Worawongse Ther Phra Ong Chao" ''(พระเจ้าวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า) ''(a mid-level, lesser class of prince and princess than Chao Fa). This style is also used for princess consort (now obsolete). * His/Her Highness – Prince and princess of Thailand of the rank "Phra Worawong Ther
Phra Ong Chao The precedence of Thai royalty follows a system of ranks known as ''thanandon'' ( th, ฐานันดร), which are accompanied by royal titles. The Sovereign There are two styles which can be used for a king in ordinary speech, depending on ...
" ''(พระวรวงศ์เธอ พระองค์เจ้า)'' which are born in the title as Mom Chao to whom the king later granted this higher title, either as recognition of merit, or as a special favour. * His/Her Serene Highness – Prince and princess of title Mom Chao (m)/Mom Chao Ying (f) (''หม่อมเจ้า/หม่อมเจ้าหญิง'', abbreviated in Thai as ม.จ. or in English as M.C.) is the most junior class still considered royalty. This is normally when surnames first appear among royal lineages. They are either: Children of a male Chao Fa and a commoner.Children of a male
Phra Ong Chao The precedence of Thai royalty follows a system of ranks known as ''thanandon'' ( th, ฐานันดร), which are accompanied by royal titles. The Sovereign There are two styles which can be used for a king in ordinary speech, depending on ...
. Informally, they are styled "Than Chai" (m)... /"Than Ying" (f)... ''(ท่านชาย.../ท่านหญิง...)''. * The Honourable – Mom Rajawongse (''หม่อมราชวงศ์'', RTGS: Mom Ratchawong; abbreviated in Thai as ม.ร.ว. or in English as M.R. and also translated into English as ''The Honourable'') is the title assumed by children of male Mom Chao. The title is pronounced "Mom Rachawong". Informally, they may be styled as "Khun Chai" (m).../ "Khunying" (f)... ''(คุณชาย.../คุณหญิง...).''


United Kingdom

* His/Her Majesty – the King/
Queen Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mother ...
. * His Royal Highness, oral address Your Royal Highness – royal princes. * Her Royal Highness, oral address Your Royal Highness – royal princesses. * His Grace (oral address ''Your Grace'' or Duke) – Dukes. Occasionally the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of York and other archbishops are also styled His Grace. Duchesses are likewise styled Her Grace. *
Lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power (social and political), power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the Peerage ...
– male marquesses,
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", particu ...
s, viscounts, and barons, as well as some of their sons. (Style: Your Lordship or My Lord.) * Ladymarchionesses,
countesses Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York ...
, viscountesses, baronesses, and the wives of baronets and knights. (Style: Ma'am.) * Sir – males, formally if they have a British knighthood or if they are a
baronet A baronet ( or ; abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (, , or ; abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the British Crown. The title of baronet is mentioned as early as the 14t ...
. * Dame – female knights and baronetesses in their own right (''suo jure''). *
The 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 ter ...
signifies membership of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, but does not confer any other title, and is also a formal style of address for certain holders of peerages, namely
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", particu ...
s, viscounts, barons, and Lords of Parliament. *The Right Honourable and Reverend – as the previous explanation, used if the holder is also an ordained clergyman (parliamentary usage). *The Honourable – younger sons of earls, all children of viscounts and barons, or Lords of Parliament. "The Right Honourable" is added as a prefix to the name of various collective entities such as: * The Right Honourable the Spiritual and Temporal Lords (of the Kingdom of England) in the House of Lords. * The Right Honourable the Lord-Commissioners of the Board of Admiralty. * The Most Honourable – marquesses, The Lords of His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council. * His Worship is an honorific prefix for mayors,
justices of the peace A justice of the peace (JP) is a judicial officer of a lower or '' puisne'' court, elected or appointed by means of a commission (letters patent) to keep the peace. In past centuries the term commissioner of the peace was often used with the sam ...
and magistrates in present or former Commonwealth realms. In spoken address, these officials are addressed as Your Worship or referred to as His Worship. In Australia all states now use Your Honour as the form of address for magistrates (the same as has always been used for judges in higher courts). * The Much Honoured – Scottish feudal barons and lairds


Styles existing through marriage in the United Kingdom

Styles can be acquired through marriage, although traditionally this applies more to wives of office-holders than to husbands. Thus, in the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and ...
, Anne, Princess Royal, is styled Her Royal Highness (HRH), her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, bears no courtesy style by virtue of being her husband (although his mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, has since knighted him), nor do her children bear any title or style, by right or tradition, despite being in the line of succession to the Crown, until 2015 subject to the Royal Marriages Act 1772. In contrast, when
Sophie Rhys-Jones Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar, (born Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones, 20 January 1965) is a member of the British royal family. She is married to Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and Forfar, the youngest brother of King Charles III. She grew u ...
married Prince Edward, she became HRH the Countess of Wessex (&c.) and their children are entitled (although they do not use them) to the princely prefix and the style of HRH, and do bear courtesy titles derived from their father. Styles and titles can change when a marriage is dissolved. The Lady Diana Frances Spencer held the style Her Royal Highness during her marriage to HRH The Prince of Wales and the title Princess of Wales. When the couple divorced she lost her style: she became instead ''Diana, Princess of Wales''. (although she fit the criteria which customarily accords the prefix of "Lady" to the daughter of an earl, and she had been known as such prior to marriage, she did not revert to that title following divorce). When applied to the current Princess of Wales, inclusion of a definite article ("The Princess of Wales"), is, like HRH, part of the style which accompanies the title. When Charles was remarried to Camilla Parker-Bowles in compliance with the Royal Marriages Act, she lawfully became HRH The Princess of Wales but, as was the announced intention prior to the couple's wedding, she continues to use the lesser title derived from her husband's Duchy of Cornwall and is known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall because the strong association to the late Diana, Princess of Wales. From the divorce until her death in 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales ceased to hold any royal style, although the monarch declared that she remained a Princess of the United Kingdom and in occasions when members of the Royal Family appeared in public, she continued to be accorded the same royal precedence. When Sarah Ferguson was divorced from her husband, HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, she too lost her HRH style, the rank as a British Princess and was re-styled as "Sarah, Duchess of York". In 1936, Wallis Simpson was denied the HRH style by George VI when she married his older brother, the former Edward VIII, who became HRH the Duke of Windsor following his abdication and receipt of a peerage.


United States

The names of most current and former elected federal and state officials and judges in the United States are styled " The Honorable" in writing, (e.g., "The Honorable Mike Rawlings, Mayor of the City of Dallas"). Many are addressed by their title in conversation as "Mister" or "Madam" ("Mr. President", "Madam Mayor") or simply by their name with their appropriate title e.g., "Senator Jones" or "Commissioner Smith". Continued use of a title after leaving office depends on the office: those of which there is only one at a time (e.g., president, speaker, governor, or mayor) are only officially used by the current office holder. However, titles for offices of which there are many concurrent office holders (e.g., ambassador, senator, judge, professor or military ranks, especially colonel and above) are retained for life: A retired US Army general is addressed as "General (Name)" officially and socially for the rest of their life. Military retirees are entitled to receive pay and are still counted as members of the United States Armed Forces. Accordingly, all retired military ranks are retained for life pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code. In the case of the President, while the title is officially dropped after leaving office – e.g., Dwight Eisenhower reverted to his prior style "General Eisenhower" in retirement – it is still widely used as an informal practice; e.g., Jimmy Carter is still often called President Carter. The Vice President is typically referred to as "former Vice President", such as "former Vice President Mike Pence." Similarly, governors are typically addressed in later life as "Governor (Name)", particularly if running for further political office. Mitt Romney, for example, was frequently referred to as "Governor Romney" during his 2012 presidential campaign and was addressed as such formally in the debates, having been Governor of Massachusetts until 2007. *The names of judges are styled "The Honorable" in writing, and orally in court as "Your Honor", or by name after "Judge". Chief justices of supreme courts are addressed orally as "Mr. or Madam Chief Justice" or "Chief Justice"; associate justices by name with "Justice" (or, simply "Justice"). *The names of mayors are styled "The Honorable" in writing. In municipalities (e.g., New York City and Chicago), mayors are addressed in conversation as "Your Honor". This may be a vestige of the fact that the mayors (and some others) were also magistrates of the court system. *His or Her Excellency (oral address "Excellency", "Your Excellency") was once customarily used of governors of states, though this has given way to "The Honorable", the form used to address all elected officials in the United States. "Excellency" has continued in the Commonwealths of
Massachusetts Massachusetts (Massachusett: ''Muhsachuweesut Massachusett_writing_systems.html" ;"title="nowiki/> məhswatʃəwiːsət.html" ;"title="Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət">Massachusett writing systems">məhswatʃəwiːsət'' En ...
and
Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth are ...
and the states of South Carolina, Georgia,
New Hampshire New Hampshire is a U.S. state, state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Gulf of Maine to the east, and the Canadian province of Quebec t ...
, and
Connecticut Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York (state), New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the ...
. *The names of members of the House of Representatives are similarly styled in writing as "The Honorable". Orally they are traditionally addressed by name as "Mr." or "Ms.", but as a practice are sometimes addressed as "Representative" or "Congressman" or "Congresswoman" when it is necessary or desirable to specify the member's status. It is advisable to follow the preference of the individual official. Following precedence in Westminster style of parliament, when writing their own names, especially on stationery and
franks The Franks ( la, Franci or ) were a group of Germanic peoples whose name was first mentioned in 3rd-century Roman sources, and associated with tribes between the Lower Rhine and the Ems River, on the edge of the Roman Empire.H. Schutz: Tools ...
, Representatives have upon occasion followed their names with "M.C." (Member of Congress). The names of senators similarly are addressed in writing as "The Honorable" and orally as "Senator". Where Representatives may have used "M.C.", Senators have used "U.S.S." (United States Senator). However, neither form is currently used by members in Washington, DC. On the actual floor of the houses during debate, members commonly refer to one another as the gentleman or gentlewoman from their appropriate state (e.g., "As my friend, the distinguished gentleman from Ohio, just said..." or "I yield three minutes to the gentleman from New York, Mr. Smith"). In debate, senators sometimes refer to colleagues as the junior or senior senator from a state, (e.g., "I disagree with my dear friend, the junior senator from Ohio..."). Senators also commonly use this form of address. *While the term " Esquire", abbreviated "Esq." after the name (John Jones, Esq.), has no legal meaning in the U.S. and may be used by anyone (or at least, customarily, by any male), it is correctly used when addressing lawyers in correspondence as an indication of their profession. At least one American jurisdiction, the District of Columbia, limits the use of "Esquire" (and similar terms) to licensed attorneys. Although some authorities previously urged that use of "Esq." should be restricted to male lawyers, today the term is used for both male and female attorneys. The academic post-nominal ''J.D.'' ( Juris Doctor) may be used by graduates of law schools who are not members of the bar of any state or who are working outside the legal profession. *In academic fields, it is customary in the U.S. to refer to those holding any level of professorship (professor, assistant professor, associate professor, adjunct professor, etc.) as "Professor" – as in "Professor Jones" – orally or in writing. In writing, "professor" is often abbreviated as "Prof.", as in "Prof. Jones". Those holding academic doctorates are frequently referred to as "Dr. Jones." *Military personnel of any functionality (doctors, lawyers, engineers, cooks, fighter pilots, motor pool drivers, commanding officers, security guards ... officers and enlisted ... leaders and followers) are always addressed by rank + name; with the exception of chaplains, who are addressed as "Chaplain" and are addressed in writing with their rank in parentheses, e.g.: "Chaplain (Major) Jones". An exception to this is in the Navy, where in writing the rank is either not used, or is used before the person's name with the corps designator "CHC" indicating the officer is a chaplain put behind their name. e.g.: "LT George Burdell, CHC, USN". In the United States Navy, there is an internal practice aboard ships that junior officers who are not in command may be addressed by their rank or as "Mister/Miss X" as in "Lieutenant Junior Grade Smith" or "Miss Smith". This practice is also followed within the United States Coast Guard, both aboard ship and ashore. Junior officers in both services are understood to be those of lieutenant commander and below. Senior officers ( commander and above) are addressed by their rank as in "Commander Smith" or "Admiral Smith". While officially this manner of address is supposed to be from a senior rank to a junior rank, i.e. captain to lieutenant, in practice it is not unknown for enlisted personnel to refer to junior officers as Mister as well. While commonly referred to by their rank, i.e. Seaman/Airman/Fireman/Petty Officer X or (Senior/Master) Chief X, on formal occasions, e.g. weddings, an enlisted man's full title is sometimes used, starting with their rating, then their rank, and their name, e.g. Electronics Technician Second Class X or Chief Gunner's Mate Y. When written, e.g. in formal invitations, the enlisted man's name is written as "''Serviceman's name'', USN/USMC/USA/USAF/USCG", without one's rank preceding their name, unlike commissioned officers. *Any officer in command of a ship is referred to as Captain for the period of their command or in reference to the ship, regardless of what rank they normally hold. *Retired military personnel may continue to be addressed by their rank at the time of their retirement. Those who held 'brevet' ranks higher than their permanent rank (permanent Army officers who held temporary rank in volunteer regiments during the American Civil War) also held this honor; though all such individuals have now perished, this usage is often seen in historical or fictional sources placed in the 1865–1900 period. * '' Hamilton v. Alabama'', 376 U.S. 650 (1964), is a United States Supreme Court case in which the court held that an African-American woman, Mary Hamilton, was entitled to the same courteous forms of address customarily reserved solely for whites in the Southern United States, and that calling a black person by their first name in a formal context was "a form of racial discrimination".


Former styles

All former monarchies had styles, some, as in the Bourbon monarchy of
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, extremely complicated depending on the status of the office or office-holder. Otto von Habsburg, who was Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary (1916–1918), had the style 'His Imperial and Royal Highness'. He was last addressed as such by church figures during the funeral of his late mother, Empress-Queen Zita of Austria-Hungary in 1989, although the use of these styles has been prohibited in Austria since 1920. For the styles of address to government officials in Imperial Russia, see Table of Ranks. The names of some offices are also titles, which are retained by the office holder for life. For example, holders of titles of which there are many at the same time, such as ambassadors, senators, judges, and military officers who retire retain use of their hierarchical honorific for life. Holders of titles of which there is only one office holder at a time such as president, chief justice or speaker revert to their previous honorific when they leave office out of deference to the current office holder.


Other parallel symbols

Styles were often among the range of symbols that surrounded figures of high office. Everything from the manner of address to the behaviour of a person on meeting that personage was surrounded by traditional symbols. Monarchs were to be bowed to by men and curtsied to by women. Senior clergy, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, were to have their rings (the symbol of their authority) kissed by lay persons while they were on bended knee, while cardinals in an act of homage at the papal coronation were meant to kiss the feet of the Supreme Pontiff, the
Pope The pope ( la, papa, from el, πάππας, translit=pappas, 'father'), also known as supreme pontiff ( or ), Roman pontiff () or sovereign pontiff, is the bishop of Rome (or historically the patriarch of Rome), head of the worldwide Cathol ...
. Many of these traditions have lapsed or been partially abandoned. At his inauguration as pope in 1978 (itself the abandonment of the traditional millennium-old papal coronation), Pope John Paul II himself kissed cardinals on the cheeks, rather than follow the traditional method of homage of having his feet kissed. Similarly, styles, though still used, are used less often. The former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, was usually referred to as ''President Mary McAleese'', not ''President McAleese'', as had been the form used for the first six presidents, from President Hyde to President Hillery. Tony Blair asked initially to be called ''Tony''. First names, or even
nickname A nickname is a substitute for the proper name of a familiar person, place or thing. Commonly used to express affection, a form of endearment, and sometimes amusement, it can also be used to express defamation of character. As a concept, it is ...
s, are often widely used among politicians in the US, even in formal situations (as an extreme example, President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter chose to take the Oath of Office using his nickname). One notable exception involves judges: a judge of any court is almost invariably addressed as "Your Honor" while presiding over his or her court, and often at other times as well. This style has been removed in the
Republic of Ireland Ireland ( ga, Éire ), also known as the Republic of Ireland (), is a country in north-western Europe consisting of 26 of the 32 counties of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city is Dublin, on the eastern side of the island. ...
, where judges are addressed only as "Judge". However, styles are still widely used in formal documents and correspondence between heads of state, such as in a letter of credence accrediting an ambassador from one head of state to another.


Self-styled

The term ''self-styled'', or ''
soi-disant Self-proclaimed describes a legal title that is recognized by the declaring person but not necessarily by any recognized legal authority. It can be the status of a noble title or the status of a nation. The term is used informally for anyone declari ...
'', roughly means awarding a ''style'' to oneself, often without adequate justification or authority, but the expression often refers to descriptions or titles (such as "aunt", "expert", "Doctor", or "King"), rather than true ''styles'' in the sense of this article.


See also

*
Forms of address in the United Kingdom Forms of address used in the United Kingdom are given below. Terminology Abbreviations Several terms have been abbreviated in the tables below. The forms used in the table are given first, followed by alternative acceptable abbreviations in paren ...
* Forms of address in Spain *
Forms of address in the Russian Empire From the time of Peter the Great, forms of address in the Russian Empire had been well-codified, determined by a person’s title of honor, as well as military or civil rank (see Table of Ranks The Table of Ranks (russian: Табель о ...
* List of titles * Suffix (name) * Title * T–V distinction


Notes

1 Though the Republic of Ireland does not possess a Privy Council, the style is still used. The Lord Mayor of Dublin is still styled the Right Honourable, as previous lord mayors of Dublin were ''ex-officio'' members of the former Irish Privy Council until its abolition in 1922.


References


External links


Table of titles to be used in Canada
Department of Canadian Heritage
Styles of Address
Department of Canadian Heritage

from Infoplease

{{DEFAULTSORT:Style (Manner Of Address)