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Royal and Noble Ranks, Styles and Addresses

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From three articles on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Royal and Noble Ranks, Royal and Noble Styles and Styles and Titles of Peers):

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Royal and Noble Ranks

Traditional ranks among European royalty, peers, and nobility are rooted in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Although they vary over time and between geographic regions (for example, one region's prince might be equal to another's grand duke), the following is a fairly comprehensive list that provides information on both general ranks and specific differences.

generally used titles:

Emperor, rules[1] an empire

King, rules[1] a kingdom (sovereign kings are ranked above vassal kings)

Duke, the ruler of a duchy, such as the statelets of the German and Holy Roman Empires

Prince, Fürst in German, ruling[1] a principality

Sultan, a Turkish title, rules[1] a sultanate

Emir, an Arabic title, rules an emirate

specific to one or a few realms:

Pope ( also "Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church and Vicar of Christ"); the Pope is also the absolute ruler of the sovereign state The Vatican City

Tsar (or Czar) in Serbian, Bulgarian, Russian, and Croatian, derives from Caesar, i.e. Emperor; although in its origins the title was meant to claim the imperial dignity, in its Russian and Bulgarian usages, at least, it has in more recent times been seen as only equivalent to King

Maharajah, in India, Nepal, (et cetera) "Maha" a prefix meaning highest, and "Rajah" meaning king, hence "highest king", Emperor.

Shahanshah, Shah of Shahs, hence Emperor.

Khakhan, Khan of Khans, hence Emperor.

Caliph, ruling a caliphate is an Islamic title indicating the successor toMuhammad, who is both a religious and a secular leader

Rajah, In India, Nepal,(et cetera), title used for denoting the ruler of a kingdom.

Shah, in Iran (Persia), king, though often actually referring to the Shahanshah (Emperor).

Khan (Mongol, or Turkic) rules a khanate (mainly Asian, but also existed in Mongol/Turkic territory in Russia, Ukraine, and the Crimea)

Archduke, before 1806 the title of the ruler of the archduchy of Austria

Grand Duke, ruling[1] a grand duchy

Grand Prince, a title primarily used in the medieval Russian principalities as the title for the highest level

Noble[2] and cadet:

Archduke, ruling an archduchy; was generally only a sovereign rank when used by the rulers of Austria; was also used by the Habsburgs of the Holy Roman Empire for members of the imperial family

Duke, rules[1] a duchy[3], also for junior members of ducal and some grand ducal families

Prince, Prinz in German; junior members of a royal, ducal or princely family (the title of Fürst for heads of princely families and sometimes all members,

e.g. Wrede)

Infante, title of the cadet members of the royal families of Portugal and Spain

Elector, Kurfürst in German, a rank for those who voted for the Holy Roman Emperor, usually sovereign of a state (e.g. the Margrave of Brandenburg, an elector, called the Elector of Brandenburg)

Marquess, Margrave, or Marquis was the ruler¹ of a marquessate, margraviate, or march

Landgrave, a German title, ruler of a landgraviate

Count, theoretically the ruler of a county; known as an Earl in modern Britain

Viscount (vice-count), theoretically the ruler of a viscounty or viscountcy

Freiherr, holder of an allodial barony – these are "higher" level of barons[citation needed]

Baron, theoretically the ruler of a barony – some barons in some countries may have been "free barons" (liber baro) and as such, regarded (themselves) as higher barons

Regarding the titles of duke and prince: in Germany, a sovereign duke outranked a sovereign prince, but a royal cadet prince outranked a cadet duke of a ducal or grand ducal family. In the German nobility as well, being created a duke was a higher honour than being created a prince. The issue of a duke were sometimes styled as dukes or as princes; princely issue were styled as princes.

Baronet is generally an inheritable knighthood; often or usually not noble but ranking below Baron and above Knight

Vidame, a minor French aristocrat

Fidalgo, a minor Portuguese aristocrat (from filho d'algo = filho d'alguém = son of someone [important])

Seigneur or Knight of the Manor rules a smaller local fief

Knight is the basic rank of the aristocratic system

Jonkheer a title for prestigious Dutch families that never received a title, instead a new title was invented. Though these titles have no claim to a territory, city, or province in the Netherlands, they are basically claiming a good family name. A woman who holds this title is called a Jonkvrouw, though the wife of a Jonkheer is a Mevrouw or sometimes Freule, which could also be used by daughters of the same.

Esquire is a rank of gentry originally derived from Squire and indicating the status of an attendant to a knight or an apprentice knight; it ranked below Knight but above Gentleman[4]

In Germany, the actual rank of the holder of a title is, however, dependent on not only the title as such, but on for instance the degree of sovereignty and on the rank of the lord of the title-holder. But also such matters as the age of the princely dynasty play a role (Uradel, Briefadel, altfürstliche, neufürstliche, see: German nobility). Thus, any sovereign ruler would be higher than any formerly sovereign, i.e. mediatized, family of any rank (thus, the Fürst of Waldeck, sovereign until 1918, was higher than the Duke of Arenberg, mediatized). Members of a formerly sovereign house ranked higher than the regular nobility. Among the

regular nobility, those whose titles derived from the Holy Roman Empire ranked higher than those whose titles were granted by one of the German princes after 1806, no matter what title was held.

In Austria, nobility titles may no longer be used since 1918.[5]

In Germany, the constitution of the Weimar Republic in 1919 abolished nobility and all nobility titles. They are now merely part of the family name, and there is no more right to the traditional forms of address (e.g., "Hoheit" or "Durchlaucht"). The last title was conferred on 12 November 1918 to Kurt von Klefeld.

In Switzerland, nobility titles are prohibited and are not recognized as part of the family name.

General chart of "translations" between languages

Below is a comparative table of corresponding royal and noble titles in various European countries. Quite often, a Latin 3rd declension noun formed a distinctive feminine title by adding -issa to its base, but usually the 3rd declension noun was used for both male and female nobles, except for Imperator and Rex. 3rd declension nouns are italicized in this chart. (Scroll to the right to see the rest of the chart)

See Royal and noble styles below to learn how to address holders of these titles properly.

English

French

Italian

Spanish

German

Dutch

Norwegian

Swedish

Czech

Slovak

Finish[6]

Polish[7]

Russian

Danish

Greek

Portuguese[8]

Slovene

Latin[9]

Emperor,

Empress

Empereur,

Imperatrice

Imperatore,

Imperatrice

Emperador,

Emperatriz

Kaiser,

Kaiserin

Keizer,

Keizerin

Keiser,

Keiserinne

Kejsare,

Kejsarinna

Císar,

Císarovna

Cisár,

Cisárovná

Keisari,

Keisarinna (or Keisaritar, obsolete)

Cesarz,

Cesarzowa

Imperator/Tsar,

Imperatritsa/

Tsaritsa

Kejser,

Kejserinde

Aftokrator,

Aftokratira

Imperador,

Imperatriz

Cesar,

Cesarica

Imperator/Caesar,

Imperatrix/

Caesarina

King,

Queen

Roi,

Reine

Re,

Regina

Rey,

Reina

König,

Königin

Koning,

Koningin

Konge,

Dronning

Kung,

Drottning

Král,

Královna

Král,

Královná

Kuningas,

Kuningatar

Król,

Królowa

Koról,

Koroléva

Konge

Dronning

Vasilefs,

Vasilissa

Rei,

Rainha

Kralj,

Kraljica

Rex,

Regina

Grand Duke/

Grand Prince,

Grand Duchess/

Grand Princess

Grand Duc,

Grande Duchesse

Granduca,

Granduchessa

Gran Duque,

Gran Duquesa

Großherzog/

Großfürst,

Großherzogin/

Großfürstin

Groothertog,

Groothertogin

Storhertug,

Storhertuginne

Storfurste,

Storfurstinna

Velkovévoda,

Velkovévodkyne

Velkovojvoda,

Velkovojvodkyna

Suuriruhtinas,

Suuriruhtinatar

Wielki Ksiaze,

Wielka Ksiezna

Velikiy Knyaz,

Velikaya Kniagina

Storhertug,

Storhertuginde

Megas Doux, Megali Doukissa

Grão-Duque,

Grã-Duquesa

Veliki vojvoda,

Velika vojvodinja

Magnus Dux/ Magnus Princeps,

magna ducissa, magna principissa

Archduke,

Archduchess

Archiduc, Archiduchesse

Arciduca,

Arciduchessa

Archiduque,

Archiduquesa

Erzherzog,

Erzherzogin

Aartshertog,

Aartshertogin

Erkehertug,

Erkehertuginne

Ärkehertig,

Ärkehertiginna

Arcivévoda,

Arcivévodkyne

Arcivojvoda,

Arcivojvodkyna

Arkkiherttua,

Arkkiherttuatar

Arcyksiaze

Arcyksiezna

Ertsgertsog,

Ertsgertsoginya

Ærke Hertug,

Ærke Hertuginde

Archidoux, Archidoukissa

Arquiduque,

Arquiduquesa;

Nadvojvoda,

Nadvojvodinja

Archidux,

archiducissa

(Prince)-Elector,

Electress

Prince-électeur,

Princesse-électrice

Principe Elettore,

Principessa Elettrice

Príncipe Elector,

Princesa Electora;

Kurfürst,

Kurfürstin

Keurvorst,

Keurvorstin

Kurfyrste,

Kurfyrstinne

Kurfurste

Kurfurstinna

Kurfirt

Vaaliruhtinas,

Vaaliruhtinatar

Ksiaze Elektor,

Ksiezna Elektorowa

Kurfyurst,

Kurfyurstina

Kurfyrste,

Kurfystinde

Pringkips-Eklektor

Pringkipissa-Eklektorissa

Príncipe-Eleitor,

Princesa-Eleitora;

Volilni knez,

Volilna kneginja

Princeps Elector

Prince[10],

Princess

Prince[10],

Princesse

Principe[10],

Principessa

Príncipe[10],

Princesa

Prinz/Fürst,

Prinzessin/

Fürstin[11]

Prins/Vorst,

Prinses/

Vorstin

Prins/Fyrste,

Prinsesse/

Fyrstinne

Prins/Furste,

Prinsessa/

Furstinna[12]

Kníže,

Knežna10

Knieža,

Knažná

Prinssi/

Ruhtinas,

Prinsessa/

Ruhtinatar[12]

Ksiaze,

Ksiezna

Kniaz/Gertsog,

Kniagina/

Gertsoginya[13]

Prins/Fyrste

Prinsesse/

Fyrstinde

Pringkips

Pringkipissa

Príncipe,

Princesa

Knez,

Kneginja

Princeps,

principissa

Duke,

Duchess

Duc,

Duchesse

Duca,

Duchessa

Duque,

Duquesa

Herzog,

Herzogin

Hertog,

Hertogin

Hertug,

Hertuginne

Hertig,

hertiginna

Vévoda,

Vévodkyne

Vojovda,

Vojvodkyna

Herttua,

Herttuatar

Diuk (Ksiaze),

(Ksiezna)

Hertug

Hertuginde

Doukas/

Archon

Doux/

Archontissa

Duque,

Duquesa

Vojvoda,

Vojvodinja

Dux,

ducissa

Marquess/

Margrave,

Marchioness/

Margravine

Marquis,

Marquise

Marchese,

Marchesa

Marqués,

Marquesa

Markgraf[14],

Markgräfin

Markies/

Markgraaf,

Markiezin/

Markgravin

Marki,

Markise

Markis/

Markgreve,

Markisinna/

Markgrevinna[12]

Markýz/

Markrabe[15]

Markíz,

Markíza

Markiisi/

Rajakreivi,

Markiisitar/

Rajakreivitär

Markiz/

Margrabia,

Markiza/

Margrabina

Markiz,

Markiza,

Boyar,

Boyarina[13]

Markis,

Markise

Markissios,

Markissia

Marquês,

Marquesa

Markiz,

Markiza

Marchio,

marchionissa

Earl / Count,

Countess

Comte,

Comtesse

Conte,

Contessa

Conde,

Condesa

Graf,

Gräfin

Graaf,

Gravin

Jarl /Greve,

Grevinne

Greve,

Grevinna

Hrabe,

Hrabenka

Gróf,

Grófka

Kreivi/

(brit:)jaarli,

Kreivitär[12]

Hrabia,

Hrabina

Graf,

Grafinya[13]

Greve

Grevinde, Komtesse

Komis,

Komissa

Conde,

Condessa[16]

Grof,

Grofica

Comes,

comitissa

Viscount,

Viscountess

Vicomte,

Vicomtesse

Visconte,

Viscontessa

Vizconde,

Vizcondesa

Vizegraf,

Vizegräfin

Burggraaf,

Burggravin

Vikomte,

Visegrevinne

Vicegreve,

vicegrevinna

Vikomt

Vikomt,

Vikontesa

Varakreivi,

Varakreivitär

Wicehrabia,

Wicehrabina

Vikont,

Vikontessa

Vicegreve,

Vicegrevinde/

Vicekomtesse

Ypokomis, Ypokomissa

Visconde,

Viscondessa

Vikont,

Vikontinja

Vicecomes,

vicecomitissa

Baron,

Baroness

Baron,

Baronne

Barone,

Baronessa

Barón,

Baronesa

Freiherr/Baron,

Freifrau/

Freiherrin/

Baronin

Baron,

Barones(se)

Baron,

Baronesse

Friherre,

Friherrinna

Baron,

Baronka

Barón,

Barónka

Vapaaherra/

Paroni,

Vapaaherratar/

Paronitar[12]

Wolny Pan,

Wolna Pani

Baron,

Baronessa

Baron,

Baronesse

Varonos,

Varoni

Barão,

Baronesa

Baron,

Baronica

Liber baro,

baronissa

Baron,

Baroness

Baron,

Baronne

Barone,

Baronessa

Barón,

Baronesa

Baron, Herr,

Baronin, Frau

Baron,

Barones(se)

Baron,

Baronesse

Baron, Herre,

Baronessa, Fru

Baron,

Baronka

Barón,

Barónka

Paroni, Herra,

Paronitar, Rouva/ Herratar[12]

Baron,

Baronowa

Baron,

Baronessa

Baron,

Baronesse

Varonos,

Varoni

Barão,

Baronesa

Baron,

Baronica

Baro,

baronissa

Baronet[17]

Baronetess

Baronnet

Baronetto

Edler,

Edle

Erfridder

Baronet

Baronetti, "Herra" (=fiefholder),

Herratar

Baronet

Baronet,

Baronetesse

Baronetos, Baroneta

Baronete,

Baronetesa;

Baronet,

Baronetinja

Knight[18]

Chevalier

Cavaliere

Caballero

Ritter

Ridder

Riddare/ Frälseman,

Fru[12]

Rytír

Rytier

Aatelinen/Ritari[12]

style of wife: Rouva

Rycerz/ Kawaler

Rytsar

Ridder

Hippotis

Cavaleiro

Vitez

Eques

1. Loss of sovereignty or fief does not necessarily lead to loss of title. The position in the ranking table is however accordingly adjusted. The occurrence of fiefs has changed from time to time, and from country to country. For instance, dukes in England rarely had a duchy to rule.

2. Although these ranks were most often only noble ones, most of these ranks were sometimes sovereign. This was especially the case for member states of the Holy Roman Empire.

3. Dukes who are not actually or formerly sovereign, such as all British, French, and Spanish dukes, or who are not sons of sovereigns, as titulary dukes in many other countries, should be considered nobles ranking above marquess.

4. The meaning of the title Esquire became (and is now) quite diffuse and may indicate anything from no aristocratic status, to some official government civil appointment, or (more historically) the son of a knight or noble who had no other title above just Gentleman.

5. Austrian law on noble titles.

6. Finland granted nobility ranks of Ruhtinas, Kreivi, Vapaaherra and Aatelinen. The titles Suurherttua, Arkkiherttua, Vaaliruhtinas, Prinssi, Markiisi, Jaarli, Varakreivi, Paroni and Baronetti were not granted in Finland, though they are used of foreign titleholders. Keisari, Kuningas, Suuriruhtinas, Prinssi and Herttua have been official titles of members of the dynasties that ruled Finland, used officially as such though not granted as titles of nobility. Up to 19th century, there existed feudally-based privileges in landowning, being connected to nobility-related lordship, and fiefs were common in late medieval and early modern eras. The title Ritari was not commonly used except in context of knightly orders. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e. "noble").

7. Due to the principle of nobles' equality, any aristocratic titles below that of prince were not allowed in Poland (with few exceptions). The titles in italics are simply Polish translations of western titles which were granted to some Polish nobles by foreign monarchs, especially after the partitions. Instead of heraditory titles, Polish nobility developed and used a set of titles based on one's office. See szlachta for more info on Polish nobility.

8. Portuguese titles in italic are not used in Portugal

9. Latin titles are for etymological comparisons. They do not accurately reflect their medieval counterparts.

10. Prince/principe can also be a title of the junior members of royal houses (Prinz in German, Prins in Swedish, Prinssi in Finish). In the British system, Prince is not a rank of nobility but a title held exclusively by members of the Royal Family.

11. In the Central European system the title of Fürst, Kníže (e.g. Fürst von Liechtenstein) ranks below the title of a duke (e.g. Duke of Brunswick). The title of Vizegraf was not used in German-speaking countries. The titles of Ritter and Edler were not commonly used.

12. No nobility titles were granted after 1906 when the unicameral legislatures (Eduskunta, Riksdag) were established, removing the constitutional status of the so-called First Estate, though noble ranks were granted in Finland until 1917. The lowest, non-titled level of hereditary nobility was "Aatelinen" (i.e. "noble")-- Aatelinen was basically a rank, not a title.

13. For domestic Russian nobility only the two titles Kniaz and Boyar were used before the 18th century when Graf was added.

14. In the German system by rank approximately equal to Landgraf and Pfalzgraf.

15. The title Markýz was not used in Bohemia and thus refer only to foreign nobility, while the title Markrabe (the same as German Markgraf) is connected only to few historical territories - former marches on the borders of the Holy Roman Empire, e.g. Moravia.

16. In Portugal, Barons and Viscounts belonging to the Grands of the Kingdom (Portuguese: Grandes do Reino), were called respectively Baron with Grandness (Portuguese: Barão com Grandeza) and Viscount with Grandness (Portuguese: Visconde com Grandeza) and were ranked equally with Counts.

17. Not counted as nobility in the British system.

18. Non-hereditary. Not counted as nobility in the British system. See also squire and esquire.

Royal and Noble Styles

Styles represent the fashion by which monarchs and noblemen are properly addressed. Throughout history, many different styles were used, with little standardization. This page will detail the various styles used by royalty and nobility in Europe, in the final form arrived at in the nineteenth century.

Imperial, royal, and princely styles:

Only those classified within the social class of royalty and upper nobility have a style of "Highness" attached before their title. Reigning bearers of forms of Highness included grand princes, grand dukes, sovereign princes, reigning dukes and princely counts, their families and the agnatic descendants of emperors and kings. Royals (usually emperors to princely counts) are all considered "princes" (German: Fürsten).

Emperors and Empresses enjoyed the style of His/Her Imperial Majesty (HIM).

Members of imperial families were generally styled His/Her Imperial Highness (HIH).

In Austria, the members of the Imperial family, due to their status as also members of the royal family of the Apostolic kingdom of Hungary, held the style of Imperial and Royal Highness (HI&RH), but actually traditionally the other way around: "königliche und kaiserliche Hoheit"[citation needed].

Also in the German Empire, the other 'heir' to the Holy Roman empire, the emperor and empress, would be addressed as Imperial and Royal Majesty because of their ruling over the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire.

In Russia, children and male-line grandchildren of the Emperor had the style of Imperial Highness (HIH). Male-line great-grandchildren held the style of Highness (HH). Also, the eldest son of any person who held the style of Highness also held the style of Highness. All other male-line descendants held the style Serenity [meaning "august," "majestic," “grand,” “noble,” “imposing,” “magnificent,” “exalted,” “supreme,” “royal,” “famous”], often translated as Serene Highness (HSH). Some Russian noble princes also hold the style of Serenity; all others and Russian princely counts hold the style of Illustriousness, often translated as Illustrious Highness (HIllH).

Kings and queens have the style of Majesty (HM). Some, throughout history have also used Royal Majesty (HRM)

Members of royal families (princes and princesses) generally have the style of Royal Highness (HRH), although in some royal families (for instance, Denmark), more junior princes and princesses only bear the style of His or Her Highness (HH).

Reigning grand dukes and grand duchesses hold the style of Royal Highness (HRH).

The styles of members of grand ducal families have been inconsistent. In Luxembourg, more senior members of the family have also been Royal Highnesses, but only due to their status as Bourbon princes of Parma (itself an inconsistency as Parma was only ducal, but this family has male-line descent from kings of Etruria, Spain and France). In Baden and Hesse and by Rhine, junior members held the style of Grand Ducal Highness (HGDH). Members of other grand ducal families generally held the style of Highness (HH).

Reigning dukes and duchesses bore the style of Highness (HH), as did other members of ducal families. Junior members of some ducal families bore the style of Ducal Serene Highness (HDSH), although it fell out of fashion.

The Elector of Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel) also bore the style of Highness, as did other members of the Hesse-Kassel family.

Mediatized dukes and reigning and mediatized princes (Fürsten) bear the style of Serene Highness (HSH, German: Durchlaucht [which originally meant majestic, grand, famous, imposing, magnificent and royal]), as do other members of princely families. Members of reigning princely families are also styled Serene Highness (HSH) [which is an exalted style---the style of a monarch].

Mediatized princely counts and countesses bear the style of Illustrious Highness (HIllH, German Erlaucht [which has a similar meaning to the stronger title of Durchlaucht).

Noble styles in the United Kingdom:

The monarch of the United Kingdom has a much longer style than that of other members of the British royal family and nobility. For example, the full style of Elizabeth II in the United Kingdom is, "Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."

Dukes and duchesses in the peerages of England, Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland, and the United Kingdom as well as nobility bearing the title of "Prince" (who are not royalty of highness) bear the style of Grace, eg. "His Grace", "Your Grace". They also hold the style of Most High, Potent, and Noble Prince, but even in the most formal situations that is usually simply abbreviated to Most Noble, and even that style is quite archaic and very formal.

Marquesses and marchionesses bear the styles of The Most Honourable and Lordship (e.g. "His Lordship," "Her Ladyship," "Your Lordship," and "Your Ladyship.") They also hold the style of Most Noble and Puissant Prince, but even in the most formal situations this style is rarely used.

Earls, countesses, viscounts, viscountesses, barons, and baronesses bear the styles of The Right Honourable and Lordship.

Scottish feudal Barons bear the style The Much Honoured.

Noble styles in Germany:

The nobility and all related styles were abolished with the Weimar Constitution of 1919, but are used socially.

Non-mediatized noble dukes (German: Herzöge) in Germany bear the style of High Born (German: Hochgeboren).

Non-mediatized noble princes (German: Fürsten) in Germany bear the styles of Princely Grace (German: fürstliche Gnaden), or High Born.

Other non-mediatized German nobles of the rank of count or higher bear the style of High Born.

German nobles below the rank of count bear the style of High Well Born (German: Hochwohlgeboren). Another style is Well Born (German: Wohlgeborn) which ranks below High Well Born.

Sources and references:

RoyalArk, mainly for non-European monarchies (site temporarily down) (http://4dw.net/royalark/index.html)

Genealogists Discover Royal Roots for All (www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13662242)

How to Address Nobility and Royalty

Addressing Nobility or Royalty depends on the Style use by the particular personage and ones country. However, generally speaking, with a reigning or "de jure" King or Queen, you would use, “Your Majesty.” If a Royal, it would be, “Your Royal Highness.” If a Noble, there could be a number of different styles, such as, “Your Serene Highness,” “Your Excellency,” “Your Grace,” “Your Right Honorable,” or something else depending on the title and country involved. It would be best if you find out about what is appropriate ahead of time so as not to be awkward or clumsy.

After you have once recognized the prenominal title of the royal or noble, then you may simply call him or her, “Sir” or “Ma’am.”

Generally speaking, you are not to bow or curtsey unless the monarch is the sovereign of your own country.

See chart below taken from the article "Forms of Address in the United Kingdom":

Position or title:	On an envelope:	In a letter:	Verbally or face to face:
King	HM The King	Your Majesty	Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Sir/Sire"
Queen	HM The Queen	Your Majesty	Your Majesty, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Prince of Wales	HRH The Prince of Wales	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir"
Wife of the Prince of Wales	HRH The Princess of Wales	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Princess Royal	HRH The Princess Royal	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Royal Peer	HRH The Duke of London eg. (HRH The Duke of Kent)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir"
Royal Peeress	HRH The Duchess of London eg. (HRH The Duchess of Kent)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Sovereign's son (unless a peer)	HRH The Prince John, eg. (HRH The Prince Edward)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir"
Sovereign's son's wife (unless a peeress)	HRH The Princess John	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Sovereign's daughter (unless a peeress)	HRH The Princess Mary,eg. (HRH The Princess Anne)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Sovereign's son's son, Prince of Wales's eldest son's eldest son (unless a peer)	HRH Prince John of London, eg (Prince Michael of Kent)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Sir"
Sovereign's son's son's wife (unless a peeress)	HRH Princess John of London, eg (Princess Michael of Kent)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as "Ma'am"
Sovereign's son's daughter (unless a peeress)	HRH Princess Mary of London, eg (Princess Beatrice of York)	Your Royal Highness	Your Royal Highness
Sovereign's son's son's son (unless a peer)	Lord John Windsor, eg (Lord Nicholas Windsor)	Dear Lord John	Lord John
Sovereign's son's son's son's wife (unless a peeress)	Lady John Windsor, eg (Lady Nicholas Windsor)	Dear Lady John	Lady John
Sovereign's son's son's daughter (unless a peeress)	The Lady Mary Windsor, eg (The Lady Helen Taylor)	Dear Lady Mary	Lady Mary
Nobility:
Peers and peeresses
Duke	His Grace The Duke of London	My Lord Duke or Dear Duke (of London)	Your Grace or Duke[citation needed]
Duchess	Her Grace The Duchess of London	Madam or Dear Duchess (of London)	Your Grace or Duchess[citation needed]
Marquess or Marquis	The Most Hon. The Marquess of London	My Lord Marquess or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London
Marchioness	The Most Hon. The Marchioness of London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady[citation needed] or Your Ladyship or Lady London
Earl	The Rt Hon. The Earl of London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London
Countess	The Rt Hon. The Countess of London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady[citation needed]or Your Ladyship or Lady London
Viscount	The Rt Hon. The Viscount London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London
Viscountess	The Rt Hon. The Viscountess London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady[citation needed]or Your Ladyship or Lady London
Baron Lord of Parliament	The Rt Hon. The Lord London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord London
Baroness (in her own right)	The Rt Hon. The Lady London or The Rt Hon. The Baroness London	Madam or Dear Lady London or Dear Baroness London	My Lady[citation needed]or Your Ladyship or Lady London or Baroness London
Baroness (in her husband's right) Lady of Parliament (in her or her husband's right)	The Rt Hon. The Lady London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady[citation needed]or Your Ladyship or Lady London
Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls:
(Eldest sons of dukes, marquesses and earls use their fathers' highest secondary titles as courtesy titles. Eldest daughters do not have courtesy titles; all courtesy peeresses are wives of courtesy peers.)
Courtesy: Marquess	Marquess of London	My Lord Marquess or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Lord London
Courtesy: Marchioness	Marchioness of London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady or Lady London
Courtesy: Earl	Earl of London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Lord London
Courtesy: Countess	Countess of London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady or Lady London
Courtesy: Viscount	Viscount London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Lord London
Courtesy: Viscountess	Viscountess London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady or Lady London
Courtesy: Baron Courtesy: Lord of Parliament	Lord London	My Lord or Dear Lord London	My Lord or Lord London
Courtesy: Baroness Courtesy: Lady of Parliament	Lady London	Madam or Dear Lady London	My Lady or Lady London
Heirs-apparent and heirs-presumptive of Scottish peers:
(Heirs-apparent and heirs-presumptive of Scottish peers use the titles "Master" and "Mistress"; these are substantive, not courtesy titles. If, however, the individual is the eldest son of a Duke, Marquess or Earl, then he uses the appropriate courtesy title, as noted above.)
Scottish peer's heir-apparent or heir-presumptive	The Master of Edinburgh	Sir or Dear Master of Edinburgh	Sir or Master
Scottish peer's heiress- apparent or heiress- presumptive	The Mistress of Edinburgh	Madam or Dear Mistress of Edinburgh	Madam or Mistress
Sons of peers:
Duke's younger son Marquess's younger son	Lord John Smith	My Lord or Dear Lord John (Smith)	My Lord or Lord John
Duke's younger son's wife Marquess's younger son's wife	Lady John Smith	Madam or Dear Lady John	My Lady or Lady John
Earl's younger son Viscount's son Baron's son Lord of Parliament's son	The Hon. John Smith	Sir or Dear Mr Smith	Sir or Mr Smith
Earl's younger son's wife Viscount's son's wife Baron's son's wife Lord of Parliament's son's wife	The Hon. Mrs John Smith	Madam or Dear Mrs Smith	Madam or Mrs Smith
Daughters of peers:
(If a peer's daughter marries another peer or courtesy peer, she takes her husband's rank. If she marries anyone else, she keeps her rank and title, using her husband's surname instead of her maiden name.)
Duke's daughter Marquess's daughter Earl's daughter (unmarried or married to a commoner)	The Lady Mary Smith (if unmarried), The Lady Mary Brown (Husband Surname, if Married)	Madam or Dear Lady Mary	My Lady or Lady Mary
Viscount's daughter Baron's daughter Lord of parliament's daughter (unmarried)	The Hon. Mary Smith	Madam or Dear Miss Smith	Madam or Miss Smith
Viscount's daughter Baron's daughter Lord of parliament's daughter (married to a commoner)	The Hon. Mrs Brown (Husband Surname)	Madam or Dear Mrs Brown	Madam or Mrs Brown
Scottish Barons (non-peerage Barons):
Scottish Baron	The Much Honoured John Smith of Edinburgh or The Much Honoured Baron of Edinburgh	Sir or Dear Edinburgh	Edinburgh or Baron
Scottish Baroness	The Much Honoured Baroness of Edinburgh	Madam or Baroness	As on envelope
Scottish Baron's wife	Lady Edinburgh or Madam	As on envelope	As on envelope
Gentry:

Baronet	(The Hon.) Sir John Smith, Bt (or Bart.)	Sir or Dear Sir John (Smith)	Sir or Sir John
Baronetess in her own right	Dame Mary Smith, Btss	Madam or Dear Dame Mary (Smith)	Madam or Dame Mary
Baronet's wife	Lady Smith	Madam or Dear Lady Smith	My Lady or Lady Smith
Knights:
Knight (of any order)	Sir John Smith	Sir or Dear Sir John (Smith)	Sir or Sir John
Lady (of the Order of the Garter or the Thistle)	Lady Mary Smith	Madam or Dear Lady Mary (Smith)	My Lady or Lady Mary
Dame (of an order other than the Garter or the Thistle)	Dame Mary Smith	Madam or Dear Dame Mary (Smith)	Madam or Dame Mary
Knight's wife	Lady Smith	Madam or Dear Lady Smith	My Lady or Lady Smith
Scottish chiefs and lairds:
Chief	John Smith of Smith or John Smith of Edinburgh or John Smith of that Ilk or The Smith of Smith or The Smith of Edinburgh or The Smith (varies according to family)	Sir or Dear Smith (if placename in title) or Dear Smith (otherwise)	Edinburgh (if placename in title) or Smith (otherwise)
Female Chief or laird Chief or Laird	As Chief/Laird, substituting "Mrs" or "Madam" for first name or "The"	Madam or as on envelope	Madam or as on envelope
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent	John Smith of Edinburgh, yr or John Smith, yr of Edinburgh or John Smith of Edinburgh or (last only if different first name to father)	Sir or Dear Mr Smith of Edinburgh	Sir or Mr Smith of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s heir-apparent's wife	Mrs Smith of Edinburgh, yr or Mrs Smith, yr of Edinburgh	Madam or Dear Mrs Smith of Edinburgh	Madam or Mrs Smith of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s eldest daughter (if none senior)	Miss Smith of Edinburgh	Madam or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh	Madam or Miss Smith of Edinburgh
Chief (etc.)'s younger daughter	Miss Mary Smith of Edinburgh	Madam or Dear Miss Smith of Edinburgh	Madam or Miss Smith of Edinburgh
Clergy:
Church of England Similar styles are also applied to clergy of equivalent status in other religious organisations.
Archbishop	The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury	Dear Archbishop	Your Grace or Archbishop
Archbishop that is not in Privy Council	The Most Rev. John Smith	Dear Archbishop	Your Grace or Archbishop
Diocesan bishop in Privy Council	The Rt Rev. and Rt Hon. The Lord Bishop of London	Dear Bishop	My Lord or Bishop
Diocesan bishop	The Rt Rev. The Lord Bishop of London	Dear Bishop	My Lord or Bishop
Bishop	The Rt Rev. The Bishop of London or The Rt Rev. The Lord Bishop of London	Dear Bishop	My Lord or Bishop
Dean	The Very Rev. The Dean of London	Dear Mr/Mrs /Ms Dean	Dean
Provost	The Very Rev. The Provost of London	Dear Provost	Provost
Archdeacon	The Ven. The Archdeacon of London	Dear Archdeacon	Archdeacon
Prebendary	The Rev. Prebendary Smith	Dear Prebendary Smith	Prebend
Canon	The Rev. Canon John Smith	Dear Canon	Canon
Priest (a vicar or rector)	The Rev. John Smith or Father John Smith	Dear Mr/Mrs /Ms Smith or Dear Father Smith	Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith or Father John Smith/John/Smith or Vicar/Rector /Curate/Chaplain etc. as applicable
Deacon	The Rev. Deacon John Smith or The Rev. John Smith	Dear Mr/Mrs /Ms Smith or Dear Deacon Smith	Deacon Smith or Mr/Mrs/Ms Smith
The usage 'Lord' as applied to a bishop pre-dates the United Kingdom, and is a well-established convention. Church of Scotland:
Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly Clergy	His Grace The Lord High Commissioner	Your Grace	Your Grace
	The Rev. John Smith	Dear Mr Smith	Mr Smith

For other styles of address, see: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Style_(manner_of_address)

Other articles in this section:

We encourage you to read and enjoy the articles that follow, which are informative and can deepen one's understanding of the whys and wherefores as well as the true and permanent rights of royalty, nobility and chivalry. The following articles are considered to be especially important and valuable:

(1) "IDEALS"

(2) "ADVANTAGES"

Article #1: "Dynastic Law" by Stephen P. Kerr, LL.M., JD

Article #2: "German Nobility" by Michael Waas

Article #3: "Nobiliary Law and Succession" by Jan-Olov von Wowern

Article #6: "Genealogy"

Article #7: "Heraldry"

Article #8: "Chivalry and Modern Times" by D. Edward Goff

Article #20: "The Return of Royalty to Indonesia" by Gerry van Klinken & Donald P. Tick

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