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Address terms are linguistic expressions used by a speaker to start conversation or call someone. George Yule defines address form as a word or phrase that is used for a person to whom speaker wants to talk. Address forms or address terms are socially oriented and expose the social relationship of interlocutors. Maloth explains "When we address a person we should use suitable term depending on the appropriate situation where we are in". Moreover social situations determine the use of a suitable address form for a person. A style of office, also called manner of reference, or form of address when someone is spoken to directly, is an official or legally recognized form of reference for a person or other entity (such as a government or company), and may often be used in conjunction with a personal
title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...
. A style, by
tradition A tradition is a system of beliefs or behaviors (folk custom) passed down within a group of people or society with symbolic meaning or special significance with origins in the past. A component of cultural expressions and folklore, common e ...
or
law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the ar ...
, precedes a reference to a person who holds a post or political office and is sometimes used to refer to the office itself. An
honorific An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...
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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
. They are also almost universally used for presidents in
republic A republic, based on the Latin phrase ''res publica'' ('public affair' or 'people's affair'), is a State (polity), state in which Power (social and political), political power rests with the public (people), typically through their Representat ...
s and in many countries for
members Member may refer to: * Military jury, referred to as "Members" in military jargon * Element (mathematics), an object that belongs to a mathematical set * In object-oriented programming, a member of a class ** Field (computer science), entries in ...
of legislative bodies, higher-ranking
judge A judge is a person who wiktionary:preside, presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a judicial panel. In an adversarial system, the judge hears all the witnesses and any other Evidence (law), evidence presented by the barris ...
s, and senior constitutional office holders. Leading
religious Religion is a range of social- cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural ...
figures also have styles. The second-person (singular and plural) possessive adjective ''your'' is used as a form of address (that is, when speaking directly to the person entitled to the style ; the third-person possessive adjectives ''his/her (singular) and ''their'' (plural) are used as forms of reference (that is, when speaking about the person entitled to the style .


Examples


Academia

Traditional forms of address at German-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 Doctorandus (; ; drs.) is a Dutch academic title according to the pre- Bachelor– Master system. The female form is doctoranda (dra.; this form is not commonly used). The title is acquired by passing the ''doctoraalexamen'', the exam which usua ...
*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 The Most Reverend (abbreviated as The Most Revd or The Most Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian clergy and Christian minister, ministers. It is a variant of the mor ...
Excellency (abbreviation ''His Most Rev. Ex.'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') –
apostolic nuncio An apostolic nuncio (; also known as a papal nuncio or simply as a nuncio) is an ecclesiastical diplomat, serving as an envoy or a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or to an international organization. A nuncio is ...
s, because their rank is equal to that of an
ambassador An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
extraordinary and plenipotentiary, and they are simultaneously higher
prelate A prelate () is a high-ranking member of the Minister (Christianity), Christian clergy who is an Ordinary (church officer), ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin , the past participle of , which me ...
s. *His/Her
Excellency Excellency is an honorific style (manner of address), 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 ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – most
ambassador An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
s, high commissioners and permanent representatives to international organizations. Occasionally a different form of address is used domestically with the international equivalent of ''Excellency'' being used in all other cases.


Judiciaries

* 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 Law of the United Kingdom#Legal jurisdictions, 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. Th ...
. **
The Honourable ''The Honourable'' (Commonwealth English) or ''The Honorable'' (American English; American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or, see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific Style ...
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 (England and Wales), Court of Appeal and the Crown Court, are the Courts of England and Wales, Senior Cour ...
of England and Wales. **My Lord/Your Lordship is used to address judiciary representatives in
India India, officially the Republic of India, 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 by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. ** The Honorable (abbreviation ''The Hon.'', oral address ''Your Honor'') – Judges and justices in the
United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
. ** Oral address ''Your Honour'' – All courts in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
. **
The Right Honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: The Rt Hon. or variations) is an honorific Style (form of address), style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire, and the Commonwealt ...
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 to ...
. * Oral address ''Your Excellency'' – Judges of the
International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice (ICJ; , CIJ), or colloquially the World Court, is the only international court that Adjudication, adjudicates general disputes between nations, and gives advisory opinions on International law, internation ...
. * Oral address ''Your Worship'' – All courts in
Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
(obsolete). * 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 The High Court of Justiciary () is the supreme criminal court in Scotland. The High Court is both a trial court and a court of appeal. As a trial court, the High Court sits on circuit at Parliament House or in the adjacent former Sheriff C ...
and the
Court of Session The Court of Session is the highest national court of Scotland in relation to Civil law (common law), civil cases. The court was established in 1532 to take on the judicial functions of the royal council. Its jurisdiction overlapped with othe ...
in Scotland, and the
Supreme Court of the United Kingdom The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (initialism: UKSC) is the final court of appeal for all civil cases in the United Kingdom and all criminal cases originating in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as some limited criminal cases ...
. * Oral address '' Your Worship'' – Justices of the peace (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 Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, usually by solicitors.


Monarchies

* Sire (oral address first '' Your Majesty'' and then ''Sire''; for a queen first ''Your Majesty'' and then '' Ma'am'') – Reigning
king King is a royal title given to a male monarch. A king is an Absolute monarchy, absolute monarch if he holds unrestricted Government, governmental power or exercises full sovereignty over a nation. Conversely, he is a Constitutional monarchy, ...
s 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 Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
and in
Belgium Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
. It has also been used in
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
,
Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
,
Germany Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
,
Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
,
Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Nordic countries, Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. It borders Norway to the west and north, and Finland to the east. At , Sweden is the largest Nordic count ...
and
Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
. *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 hereditary monarch and head of state of Japan. The emperor is defined by the Constitution of Japan as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, his position deriving from "the will of ...
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 Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military and diplomatic alliance, it consist ...
, 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 Royal and noble styled title, 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 around 1000 A.D. when Pope Si ...
(abbreviation ''HAM'', oral address ''Your Apostolic Majesty'') – the
King of Hungary The King of Hungary () was the Monarchy, ruling head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 (or 1001) to 1918. The style of title "Apostolic King of Hungary" (''Magyarország apostoli királya'') was endorsed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 ...
, 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 His Britannic Majesty or, when the reigning monarch is female Her Britannic Majesty (HBM), is a List of treaty titles for monarchs, treaty title for the monarchy of the United Kingdom, monarch of the United Kingdom, a royal and noble styles, royal ...
– the
British monarch The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers regulated by the British con ...
(not usual); used as a formal and official term in
diplomacy Diplomacy is the communication by representatives of State (polity), state, International organization, intergovernmental, or Non-governmental organization, non-governmental institutions intended to influence events in the international syste ...
,
international law International law, also known as public international law and the law of nations, is the set of Rule of law, rules, norms, Customary law, legal customs and standards that State (polity), states and other actors feel an obligation to, and generall ...
, and
international relations International relations (IR, and also referred to as international studies, international politics, or international affairs) is an academic discipline. In a broader sense, the study of IR, in addition to multilateral relations, concerns al ...
, e.g. in
British passport The British passport (or UK passport) is a travel document issued by the United Kingdom or other British dependencies and territories to individuals holding any form of British nationality. It grants the bearer international passage in acco ...
s. * His/Her Most Gracious Majesty – an elaborate version of His/Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, only used in the most formal of occasions. * His/Her Most Excellent Majesty – another elaborate version of His/Her Majesty in the United Kingdom, mainly used in Acts of Parliament. * His/Her
Catholic Majesty The Latin title ''Rex Catholicissimus'', anglicised as ''Most Catholic King'' or ''Most Catholic Majesty'', was awarded by the Pope to the Sovereigns of Spain. It was first used by Pope Alexander VI in the papal bull '' Inter caetera'' in 1493. ...
(abbreviation ''HCM'', oral address ''Your Catholic Majesty'') – the Spanish monarch (not usual). *His
Most Christian Majesty Most or Möst may refer to: Places * Most, Kardzhali Province, a village in Bulgaria * Most (city), a city in the Czech Republic ** Most District, a district surrounding the city ** Most Basin, a lowland named after the city ** Autodrom Most, ...
– the
King of France France was ruled by monarchs from the establishment of the kingdom of West Francia in 843 until the end of the Second French Empire in 1870, with several interruptions. Classical French historiography usually regards Clovis I, king of the Fra ...
until 1790 and from 1815 to 1830. *His/Her Most Faithful Majesty (abbreviation ''HFM'', oral address ''Your Faithful Majesty'') – the
King of Portugal This is a list of Portuguese monarchs who ruled from the establishment of the Kingdom of Portugal, in 1139, to the deposition of the Portuguese monarchy and creation of the Portugal, Portuguese Republic with the 5 October 1910 revolution. Thro ...
until deposed in 1910. *His/Her
Majesty Majesty (abbreviated HM for His Majesty or Her Majesty, oral address Your Majesty; from the Latin , meaning ) is used as a manner of address by many monarchs, usually kings or queens. Where used, the style outranks the style of ''(Imperial/Roy ...
(abbreviation ''HM'', oral address ''Your Majesty'') – kings, queens and some sultans. For example, HM King
Charles III Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, and ...
, HM King Mohammed VI or HM King Willem-Alexander. *His/Her Imperial Highness (abbreviation ''HIH'', oral address ''Your Imperial Highness'') – members of an imperial house. Currently used by the
Imperial House of Japan The is the reigning dynasty of Japan, consisting of those members of the extended family of the reigning emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present constitution of Japan, the emperor is "the symbol of the State ...
. *His/Her
Imperial and Royal Highness Imperial and Royal Highness (abbreviation HI&RH) is a style possessed by someone who either through birth or marriage holds two individual styles, '' Imperial Highness'' and ''Royal Highness''. ''His/Her Imperial Highness'' is a style used by membe ...
(abbreviation ''HI&RH'', oral address ''Your Imperial and Royal Highness'') – formerly, archdukes of the
House of Habsburg The House of Habsburg (; ), also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful Dynasty, dynasties in the history of Europe and Western civilization. They were best known for their inbreeding and for ruling vast realms throughout ...
, the German crown prince/princess and (post-monarchy) members of the deposed Brazilian Imperial Family; also some women entitled to imperial style by birth and to royal style by marriage (e.g., Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia, Duchess of Edinburgh). *His/Her
Royal Highness Royal Highness is a style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Kings and their female consorts, as well as queens regnant, are usually styled ''Majesty''. When used as a direct form of a ...
(abbreviation ''HRH'', oral address ''Your Royal Highness'') – some monarchs, members of a
royal family A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while th ...
(other than monarchs,
queens consort A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king, and usually shares her spouse's social Imperial, royal and noble ranks, rank and status. She holds the feminine equivalent of the king's monarchical titles and may be crowned and anointed, but hi ...
and queens dowager);
grand duke Grand duke (feminine: grand duchess) is a European hereditary title, used either by certain monarchs or by members of certain monarchs' families. The title is used in some current and former independent monarchies in Europe, particularly: * in ...
s/duchesses who have
reign A reign is the period of a person's or dynasty's occupation of the office of monarch of a nation (e.g., King of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, List of Belgian monarchs, Belgium, Co-princes of Andorra, Andorra), of a people (e.g., List of Frankish kin ...
ed (but not those grand dukes who were
cadet A cadet is a student or trainee within various organisations, primarily in military contexts where individuals undergo training to become commissioned officers. However, several civilian organisations, including civil aviation groups, maritime ...
s of the former Russian Imperial Family), consorts of grand dukes, grand ducal heirs apparent and, in Luxembourg, all dynastic male-line cadets;
British prince Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a royal title normally granted to sons and grandsons of reigning and past British monarchs, plus consorts of female monarchs (by letters patent). The title is granted by the ...
s, their dynastic wives (including the prince consort of queens Victoria and
Elizabeth II Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 19268 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. ...
), sons, daughters, patrilineal grandsons and granddaughters of
Ibn Saud Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud (; 15 January 1875Ibn Saud's birth year has been a source of debate. It is generally accepted as 1876, although a few sources give it as 1880. According to British author Robert Lacey's book ''The Kingdom'', ...
of the
House of Saud The House of Saud ( ) is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. It is composed of the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud, founder of the Emirate of Diriyah, known as the First Saudi State, (1727–1818), and his brothers, though the ruling ...
. * 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 This list of kings and reigning queens of the Kingdom of England begins with Alfred the Great, who initially ruled Wessex, one of the heptarchy, seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms which later made up modern England. Alfred styled himself king of the ...
until King
Henry VIII Henry VIII (28 June 149128 January 1547) was King of England from 22 April 1509 until his death in 1547. Henry is known for his Wives of Henry VIII, six marriages and his efforts to have his first marriage (to Catherine of Aragon) annulled. ...
and the King or Queen of Scots up to the Act of Union of 1707, which united the
Kingdom of Scotland The Kingdom of Scotland was a sovereign state in northwest Europe, traditionally said to have been founded in 843. Its territories expanded and shrank, but it came to occupy the northern third of the island of Great Britain, sharing a Anglo-Sc ...
and the
Kingdom of England The Kingdom of England was a sovereign state on the island of Great Britain from the late 9th century, when it was unified from various Heptarchy, Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, until 1 May 1707, when it united with Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland to f ...
. 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 The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the Primus inter pares, ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the bishop of the diocese of Canterbury. The first archbishop ...
; or ''Your Grace'' in spoken or written address. Royal dukes, for example the
Duke of Edinburgh Duke of Edinburgh, named after the capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, is a substantive title that has been created four times since 1726 for members of the British royal family. It does not include any territorial landholdings and does not pr ...
, are addressed with their higher royal style, ''
Royal Highness Royal Highness is a style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Kings and their female consorts, as well as queens regnant, are usually styled ''Majesty''. When used as a direct form of a ...
''. *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 () 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 as the Grand Duchy of Hesse (). It assumed the name ...
and
Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Ba ...
). *His/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 adjec ...
(abbreviation ''HH'', oral address, ''Your Highness'') – some monarchs, i.e.,
emir Emir (; ' (), also Romanization of Arabic, transliterated as amir, is a word of Arabic language, Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocratic, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person po ...
s, some
sultan Sultan (; ', ) is a position with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", derived from the verbal noun ', meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be use ...
s, the
Aga Khan Aga Khan (; ; also transliterated as ''Aqa Khan'' and ''Agha Khan'') is a title held by the Imamate in Nizari doctrine, Imām of the Nizari Isma'ilism, Nizari Isma'ilism, Ismāʿīli Shia Islam, Shias. The current holder of the title is the ...
; formerly reigning dukes, some
maharaja Maharaja (also spelled Maharajah or Maharaj; ; feminine: Maharani) is a royal title in Indian subcontinent, Indian subcontinent of Sanskrit origin. In modern India and Medieval India, medieval northern India, the title was equivalent to a pri ...
s and
raja Raja (; from , IAST ') is a noble or royal Sanskrit title historically used by some Indian subcontinent, Indian rulers and monarchs and highest-ranking nobles. The title was historically used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. T ...
s 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 branch A cadet branch consists of the male-line descendants of a monarch's or patriarch's younger sons ( cadets). In the ruling dynasties and noble families of much of Europe and Asia, the family's major assets (realm, titles, fiefs, property and incom ...
es of the
House of Saud The House of Saud ( ) is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. It is composed of the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud, founder of the Emirate of Diriyah, known as the First Saudi State, (1727–1818), and his brothers, though the ruling ...
. *His/Her Ducal Serene Highness (abbreviation ''HDSH'', oral address, ''Your Ducal Serene Highness'') – members of the formerly reigning ducal
House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha The House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha ( ; ) is a European royal house of German origin. It takes its name from its oldest domain, the Ernestine duchy of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and its members later sat on the thrones of Belgium, Bulgaria, Portugal ...
. *His/Her
Serene Highness His/Her Serene Highness (abbreviation: HSH, second person address: Your Serene Highness) is a style (manner of address), style used today by the reigning families of Liechtenstein, Monaco and Thailand. Until 1918, it was also associated with the p ...
(abbreviation ''HSH'', oral address ''Your Serene Highness'') – German: ; Italian: ; Russian: . Sovereigns of a
principality A principality (or sometimes princedom) is a type of monarchy, monarchical state or feudalism, feudal territory ruled by a prince or princess. It can be either a sovereign state or a constituent part of a larger political entity. The term "prin ...
(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;
morganatic Morganatic marriage, sometimes called a left-handed marriage, is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which in the context of royalty or other inherited title prevents the principal's position or privileges being passed to the spous ...
princes, descended from reigning dynasties; 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 (abbreviation ''HMSH'', oral address, ''Your Most Serene Highness'') –
Prince-elector The prince-electors ( pl. , , ) were the members of the Electoral College of the Holy Roman Empire, which elected the Holy Roman Emperor. Usually, half of the electors were archbishops. From the 13th century onwards, a small group of prince- ...
s of the
Holy Roman Empire The Holy Roman Empire, also known as the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation after 1512, was a polity in Central and Western Europe, usually headed by the Holy Roman Emperor. It developed in the Early Middle Ages, and lasted for a millennium ...
. *His/Her
Illustrious Highness His/Her Illustrious Highness (abbreviation: H.Ill.H.) is the usual English-language translation of the German word , a style historically attributed to certain members of the European nobility. It is not a literal translation, as the German word ...
(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 (manner of address), 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 ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') – governors-general, British colonial governors, state officials, and generals of Imperial Russia. Occasionally,
prime minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
s 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, '' Lensgrever'', knights of the
Order of the Elephant The Order of the Elephant () is a Denmark, Danish order of chivalry and is Denmark's highest-ranked honour. It has origins in the 15th century, but has officially existed since 1693, and since the establishment of constitutional monarchy in ...
). *''Don'' (, , ) from Latin ''dominus'' (literally, "Lord"), is an
honorific An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...
title used in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Iberoamerica and the Philippines. The female equivalent is ''doña'' (), ''donna'' (), and ''dona'' (), abbreviated "Dª" or simply "D." In formal settings, it is a title reserved for royalty, select nobles, knights, dames, and church hierarchs. Informally, it is sometimes used as a mark of esteem for a person of personal, social or official distinction, such as a community leader of long standing, or a person of significant wealth. Like the British ''Sir'', 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 In religious organizations, the laity () — individually a layperson, layman or laywoman — consists of all members who are not part of the clergy, usually including any non-ordained members of religious orders, e.g. a nun or a lay brother. ...
who belong to the royal and imperial families (for example, the
House of Aviz The House of Aviz (Portuguese language, Portuguese: ''Casa de Avis'' ), also known as the Joanine Dynasty (''Dinastia Joanina''), was a dynasty of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which flourished during the Portuguese Renaissance, Renaissanc ...
in Portugal and the
House of Braganza The Most Serene House of Braganza (), also known as the Brigantine dynasty (''dinastia Brigantina''), is a dynasty of emperors, kings, princes, and dukes of Portuguese people, Portuguese origin which reigned in Europe and the Americas. The hous ...
in Portugal and Brazil). It was also accorded to members of families of the titled
Portuguese nobility Portuguese may refer to: * anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Portugal ** Portuguese cuisine, traditional foods ** Portuguese language, a Romance language *** Portuguese dialects, variants of the Portuguese language ** Portu ...
. Unless ennobling
letters patent Letters patent (plurale tantum, plural form for singular and plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, President (government title), president or other head of state, generally granti ...
specifically authorised its use, was not attributed to members of Portugal's untitled nobility. Since hereditary titles in Portugal descended according to
primogeniture Primogeniture () is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn Legitimacy (family law), legitimate child to inheritance, inherit all or most of their parent's estate (law), estate in preference to shared inheritance among all or some childre ...
, the right to the style of was the only apparent distinction between
cadet A cadet is a student or trainee within various organisations, primarily in military contexts where individuals undergo training to become commissioned officers. However, several civilian organisations, including civil aviation groups, maritime ...
s 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 King of Kings, ''Mepet mepe''; , group="n" was a ruling title employed primarily by monarchs based in the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Commonly associated with History of Iran, Iran (historically known as name of Iran, Persia ...
– 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 Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( or ; ) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was ...
– Used by an
heir apparent An heir apparent is a person who is first in the order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person. A person who is first in the current order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more e ...
of the
British monarchy The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers Constitutional monarchy, regula ...
. * High Steward of Scotland – Used by an
heir apparent An heir apparent is a person who is first in the order of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting by the birth of another person. A person who is first in the current order of succession but could be displaced by the birth of a more e ...
of the
British monarchy The monarchy of the United Kingdom, commonly referred to as the British monarchy, is the form of government used by the United Kingdom by which a hereditary monarch reigns as the head of state, with their powers Constitutional monarchy, regula ...
. *
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques His Majesty the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (abbreviated as CTHM; ), or Protector of the Two Holy Cities, is a Royal and noble styles, royal style that has been used officially by the King of Saudi Arabia, monarchs of Saudi Arabia since 19 ...
(abbreviation CTHM) ( ), 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 Ayyubid dynasty (), also known as the Ayyubid Sultanate, was the founding dynasty of the medieval Sultanate of Egypt established by Saladin in 1171, following his abolition of the Fatimid Caliphate of Egypt. A Sunni Muslim of Kurdish ori ...
, the Mamluk Sultans of Egypt, 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 is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the Quran, and the teachings of Muhammad. Adherents of Islam are called Muslims, who are estimated to number Islam by country, 2 billion worldwide and are the world ...
, Al-Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) in
Mecca Mecca, officially Makkah al-Mukarramah, is the capital of Mecca Province in the Hejaz region of western Saudi Arabia; it is the Holiest sites in Islam, holiest city in Islam. It is inland from Jeddah on the Red Sea, in a narrow valley above ...
and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (the Prophet's Mosque) in
Medina Medina, officially al-Madinah al-Munawwarah (, ), also known as Taybah () and known in pre-Islamic times as Yathrib (), is the capital of Medina Province (Saudi Arabia), Medina Province in the Hejaz region of western Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ...
. In
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia, officially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is a country in West Asia. Located in the centre of the Middle East, it covers the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula and has a land area of about , making it the List of Asian countries ...
, it is used as the official title of the king, in place of "His Majesty". *
Amīr al-Mu'minīn () or Commander of the Faithful is a Muslim title designating the supreme leader of an Islamic community. Name Although etymologically () is equivalent to English "commander", the wide variety of its historical and modern use allows for a ...
(), usually translated Commander of the Faithful or Leader of the Faithful, is the Arabic style of some
Caliph A caliphate ( ) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with Khalifa, the title of caliph (; , ), a person considered a political–religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a leader of ...
s and other independent sovereign
Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
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 Isis was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. Isis was first mentioned in the Old Kingdom () as one of the main characters of the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her sla ...
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri (28 July 1971 – 27 October 2019), commonly known by his ''nom de guerre'' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was an Iraqi militant leader who was the founder and first leader of the Islamic State (IS), who proclaimed hims ...
, the Ahmadiyya Muslim leader Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the King of Morocco, the Sultan of Sokoto, and the supreme leaders of the Afghan
Taliban , leader1_title = Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Supreme leaders , leader1_name = {{indented plainlist, * Mullah Omar{{Natural Causes{{nbsp(1994–2013) * Akhtar Mansour{{Assassinated (2015–2016) * Hibatullah Akhundzada (2016–present) ...
. *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 Yorubaland () is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of . Of this land area, 106,016 km2 (74.6%) lies within Niger ...
, other aboriginal Yoruba 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, prior to his death, Greece's deposed king was 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, 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 Charles III (Charles Philip Arthur George; born 14 November 1948) is King of the United Kingdom and the 14 other Commonwealth realms. Charles was born at Buckingham Palace during the reign of his maternal grandfather, King George VI, a ...
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 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 later travelled 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 (manner of address), 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 ...
(abbreviation ''HE'', oral address ''Your Excellency'') –
President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...
s 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. The president directs the Federal government of the United States#Executive branch, executive branch of the Federal government of t ...
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 located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
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, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
, members of the lower house (Chamber of Deputies) of the Parliament of Italy are styled ''Honourable'' (, abbreviation ). The correct form to address a member of the upper house (Senate) is ''Senator'' (, 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 The president of Ireland () is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The presidency is a predominantly figurehead, ceremonial institution, serving as ...
is normally His Excellency/Her Excellency (); sometimes people may orally address the President as 'Your Excellency' ( � ˈhəʎʃə, or simply 'President' ( � ˈuəxt̪ˠəɾˠaːnˠ(vocative case)). * During the Republic of the United Netherlands, the States-General were collectively addressed as "Their High and Mighty Lords" (). * 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 required for initial medical and dental professional registration are all
bachelor's degrees A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Neo-Latin, Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and university, universities upon completion of a course of study lasting ...
(commonly
MBBS A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (; MBBS, also abbreviated as BM BS, MB ChB, MB BCh, or MB BChir) is a medical degree granted by medical schools or universities in countries that adhere to the United Kingdom's higher education tradi ...
, but also MB, BDS, MB BS BAO, BMed, etc.). This system is followed in other countries (often
Commonwealth countries The Commonwealth of Nations, often referred to as the British Commonwealth or simply the Commonwealth, is an international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire from which i ...
) that adhere to the United Kingdom's higher education tradition. Such graduates are addressed as "doctor" by courtesy and convention. *Mr, Miss, Ms, or Mrs – Surgeons in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth or former Commonwealth nations revert to the title ''Mr'', ''Miss'', ''Ms'' or ''Mrs'' after obtaining the postgraduate qualification MRCS. Other specialist doctors ( "physicians" in the sense of specialists in different areas of internal medicine, as used generally outside North America), on the other hand, retain the title ''Dr'' after obtaining other postgraduate qualifications, such as MRCP. Medical practitioners who are both "physicians and surgeons" are called either ''Dr'' or ''Mr'', ''Ms'', etc. and the style used at any specific time may be varied according to the context.


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 in charge of a small boat.


Religious

*
His Holiness The title His Holiness (and the associated form of address Your Holiness) is an official title or style referring to the pope in the Catholic Church; this use can be traced back several hundred years. It has also been adopted as an official tit ...
(abbreviation HH), oral address ''Your Holiness'', or ''Holy Father'' – the
Pope The pope is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...
and the Pope Emeritus (but ''Holy Father'' is not used for the latter); also 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 In ecclesiology, the Christian Church is what different Christian denominations conceive of as being the true body of Christians or the original institution established by Jesus Christ. "Christian Church" has also been used in academia as a syn ...
, as well as the
Dalai Lama The Dalai Lama (, ; ) is the head of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The term is part of the full title "Holiness Knowing Everything Vajradhara Dalai Lama" (圣 识一切 瓦齐尔达喇 达赖 喇嘛) given by Altan Khan, the first Shu ...
, the
Panchen Lama The Panchen Lama () is a tulku of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Panchen Lama is one of the most important figures in the Gelug tradition, with its spiritual authority second only to the Dalai Lama. Along with the council of high la ...
, the
Karmapa The Karmapa Tulku lineage of the Gyalwa Karmapa is the oldest among the major incarnating lineages of Tibetan Buddhism,The Karmapa, "The Karmapas Lineage", Kagyu Office established in 1110 CE by the 1st Karmapa, Düsum Khyenpa. Karmapa means " ...
, the Sakya Trizin, and other holders of certain other
Tibetan Buddhist Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, Bhutan and Mongolia. It also has a sizable number of adherents in the areas surrounding the Himalayas, including the Indian regions of Ladakh, Darjeeling, Sikkim, and Arunachal Prades ...
lineages. * His All Holiness (abbreviation ''HAH''), oral address ''Your All Holiness'' – the
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople The ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople () is the List of ecumenical patriarchs of Constantinople, archbishop of Constantinople and (first among equals) among the heads of the several autocephalous churches that comprise the Eastern Orthodox ...
. *His Highness the
Aga Khan Aga Khan (; ; also transliterated as ''Aqa Khan'' and ''Agha Khan'') is a title held by the Imamate in Nizari doctrine, Imām of the Nizari Isma'ilism, Nizari Isma'ilism, Ismāʿīli Shia Islam, Shias. The current holder of the title is the ...
(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 Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
, Syriac Orthodox Catholicos of India,
Oriental Orthodox The Oriental Orthodox Churches are Eastern Christianity, Eastern Christian churches adhering to Miaphysitism, Miaphysite Christology, with approximately 50 million members worldwide. The Oriental Orthodox Churches adhere to the Nicene Christian ...
and
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
patriarch The highest-ranking bishops in Eastern Orthodoxy, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church (above major archbishop and primate), the Hussite Church, Church of the East, and some Independent Catholic Churches are termed patriarchs (and ...
s,
Macedonian Orthodox Church The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Archdiocese of Ohrid (MOC-AO; ), or simply the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MOC) or the Archdiocese of Ohrid (AO), is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North Macedonia. The 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 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 address in ...
(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. The ...
and Grand Master of the
Sovereign Military Order of Malta The Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM), officially the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, and commonly known as the Order of Malta or the Knights of Malta, is a Catholic lay religious ...
. *
His Eminence His Eminence (abbreviation H.Em. 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 address in ...
(abbreviation "H.Em."), oral address ''Your Eminence'' or ''Most Reverend Eminence'' –
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
cardinals *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") ''or'' The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Eminence'' –
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
metropolitans and
archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s who are not the first
hierarch An ordinary (from Latin ''ordinarius'') is an officer of a church or civic authority who by reason of office has ordinary power to execute laws. Such officers are found in hierarchically organised churches of Western Christianity which have an ...
of an
autocephalous Autocephaly (; ) 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 Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches. The status has been compared with t ...
church; *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") – Certain high
lama Lama () is a title bestowed to a realized practitioner of the Dharma in Tibetan Buddhism. Not all monks are lamas, while nuns and female practitioners can be recognized and entitled as lamas. The Tibetan word ''la-ma'' means "high mother", ...
s or
rinpoche Rinpoche, also spelled Rimpoche (), 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 consists of '' ...
s in
Tibetan Buddhism Tibetan Buddhism is a form of Buddhism practiced in Tibet, Bhutan and Mongolia. It also has a sizable number of adherents in the areas surrounding the Himalayas, including the Indian regions of Ladakh, Gorkhaland Territorial Administration, D ...
as well as presiding head bishops or priests of
Japanese Buddhist Buddhism was first established in Japan in the 6th century CE. Most of the Japanese Buddhists belong to new schools of Buddhism which were established in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). During the Edo period (1603–1868), Buddhism was cont ...
schools. *His Eminence (abbreviation "H.Em.") – The Sultan of Sokoto, spiritual leader of
Nigeria Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It covers an area of . With Demographics of Nigeria, ...
'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 The Most Reverend (abbreviated as The Most Revd or The Most Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian clergy and Christian minister, ministers. It is a variant of the mor ...
(abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Excellency'' –
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s and
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s 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 The Most Reverend (abbreviated as The Most Revd or The Most Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian clergy and Christian minister, ministers. It is a variant of the mor ...
(abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' –
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s in
Commonwealth A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the 15th century. Originally a phrase (the common-wealth ...
countries except Canada;
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s in
Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
; and Mar Thoma Metropolitans *His Grace ''or''
The Right Reverend The Right Reverend (abbreviated as The Rt Revd or The Rt Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian ministers and members of clergy. It is a variant of the more common st ...
(abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' –
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s. *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 Yorubaland () is the homeland and cultural region of the Yoruba people in West Africa. It spans the modern-day countries of Nigeria, Togo and Benin, and covers a total land area of . Of this land area, 106,016 km2 (74.6%) lies within Niger ...
, other aboriginal Yoruba 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 Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
and
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s 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 State religion#State churches, established List of Christian denominations, Christian church in England and the Crown Dependencies. It is the mother church of the Anglicanism, Anglican Christian tradition, ...
(Anglican)
archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s who are
privy counsellor The Privy Council, formally His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the sovereign of the United Kingdom. Its members, known as privy counsellors, are mainly senior politicians who are current or former ...
s, usually the
Archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s of
Canterbury Canterbury (, ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the county of Kent, England; it was a county borough until 1974. It lies on the River Stour, Kent, River Stour. The city has a mild oceanic climat ...
and
York York is a cathedral city in North Yorkshire, England, with Roman Britain, Roman origins, sited at the confluence of the rivers River Ouse, Yorkshire, Ouse and River Foss, Foss. It has many historic buildings and other structures, such as a Yor ...
*The Most Reverend (abbreviation ''The Most Rev.''), oral address ''Your Grace'' –
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
archbishop In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s,
primates Primates is an order of mammals, which is further divided into the strepsirrhines, which include lemurs, galagos, and lorisids; and the haplorhines, which include tarsiers and simians ( monkeys and apes). Primates arose 74–63  ...
, 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 (, ; , ) is a Christian church in Ireland, and an autonomy, autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. It is organised on an all-Ireland basis and is the Christianity in Ireland, second-largest Christian church on the ...
(Anglican)
Bishop of Meath and Kildare The United Dioceses of Meath and Kildare is a diocese in the Church of Ireland located in Ireland. The diocese is in the ecclesiastical province of Dublin. Alone of English and Irish bishops who are not also archbishops, the Bishop of Meath an ...
(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 Right Reverend and Right Honourable
Monsignor Monsignor (; ) is a form of address or title for certain members of the clergy in the Catholic Church. Monsignor is the apocopic form of the Italian ''monsignore'', meaning "my lord". "Monsignor" can be abbreviated as Mons.... or Msgr. In some ...
(abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev. and Rt.mHon. Mgr.''), oral address ''Monsignor'', or according to personal preference – Prelate of Honour who is also a
privy counsellor The Privy Council, formally His Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the sovereign of the United Kingdom. Its members, known as privy counsellors, are mainly senior politicians who are current or former ...
(The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Monsignor Graham Leonard 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 State religion#State churches, established List of Christian denominations, Christian church in England and the Crown Dependencies. It is the mother church of the Anglicanism, Anglican Christian tradition, ...
(Anglican)
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s who are members of the Privy Council, usually the
Bishop of London The bishop of London is the Ordinary (church officer), ordinary of the Church of England's Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury. By custom the Bishop is also Dean of the Chapel Royal since 1723. The diocese covers of 17 boroughs o ...
. *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 State religion#State churches, established List of Christian denominations, Christian church in England and the Crown Dependencies. It is the mother church of the Anglicanism, Anglican Christian tradition, ...
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' –
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s
Episcopal Church (United States) The Episcopal Church (TEC), also known as the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA), is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion, based in the United States. It is a mainline Protestant denomination and is ...
*The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss (surname)''Moderator of the United Church of Canada or of the
Presbyterian Church in Canada The Presbyterian Church in Canada () is a Presbyterian denomination, serving in Canada under this name since 1875. The United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939. According to the Religion in Canada, Canada 2021 Censu ...
*The Right Reverend Father (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev. Fr.''), oral address ''Father'' –
Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
archimandrite The title archimandrite (; ), used in Eastern Christianity, originally referred to a superior abbot ('' hegumenos'', , present participle of the verb meaning "to lead") whom a bishop appointed to supervise several "ordinary" abbots and monaste ...
s. *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt. Rev.''), oral address ''Father'' or ''Father Abbot'' –
Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...
abbot Abbot is an ecclesiastical title given to the head of an independent monastery for men in various Western Christian traditions. The name is derived from ''abba'', the Aramaic form of the Hebrew ''ab'', and means "father". The female equivale ...
s. *The Right Reverend (abbreviation ''The Rt Rev.''), oral address ''Bishop'' – diocesan
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
of the Methodist Church Ghana *Bishop, oral address ''Bishop'' – an area
bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
in the
United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant Christian denomination, denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was ...
. The Right Reverend has never been pervasive in the United Methodist Church. *His Divine Worship, or (His) Divine Worship: In the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, one of the Personal Ordinariates for former Anglicans, the Bishop (abbreviation ''DW:TB''), oral address ''Your Divine Worship'', afterwards ''My Lord'', ''My Lord Bishop'', or ''Bishop''. 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 The Very Reverend (abbreviated as The Very Revd or The Very Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian clergy and Christian minister, ministers. The definite article "t ...
(abbreviation ''The Very Rev. ''), oral address ''Father'' –
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
vicars general, judicial vicars,
judge A judge is a person who wiktionary:preside, presides over court proceedings, either alone or as a part of a judicial panel. In an adversarial system, the judge hears all the witnesses and any other Evidence (law), evidence presented by the barris ...
s, rectors of seminaries, vicars forane, 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 Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
archpriest The ecclesiastical title of archpriest or archpresbyter belongs to certain priests with supervisory duties over a number of parishes. The term is most often used in Eastern Orthodoxy and the Eastern Catholic Churches and may be somewhat analogo ...
s *The Very Reverend (abbreviation ''The Very Rev.''), oral address ''Mr./Madam Dean'' or ''Mr./Madam Provost'', as appropriate, or ''Very Reverend Sir/Madam'' –
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
deans and provosts of
cathedral A cathedral is a church (building), church that contains the of a bishop, thus serving as the central church of a diocese, Annual conferences within Methodism, conference, or episcopate. Churches with the function of "cathedral" are usually s ...
s, the deans of
Westminster Abbey Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British m ...
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 A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
, 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 A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and theology, generally to prepare them for ordination to serve as clerg ...
, 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 The United Church of Canada (UCC; ) is a mainline Protestant denomination that is the largest Protestant Christian denomination in Canada and the second largest Canadian Christian denomination after the Catholic Church in Canada. The United Chu ...
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 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
protonotaries apostolic, honorary prelates, chaplains of his holiness *
The Venerable ''The Venerable'' often shortened to Venerable is a style, title, or epithet used in some Christianity, Christian churches. The title is often accorded to holy persons for their spiritual perfection and wisdom. Catholic In the Catholic Churc ...
, oral address ''Venerable Sir/Madam'' or ''Mr./Madam Archdeacon'' –
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
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 and
nuns A nun is a woman who vows to dedicate her life to religious service and contemplation, typically living under vows of Evangelical counsels, poverty, chastity, and obedience in the Enclosed religious orders, enclosure of a monastery or convent.' ...
, 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 branch of Christianity that emphasizes Justification (theology), justification of sinners Sola fide, through faith alone, the teaching that Salvation in Christianity, salvation comes by unmerited Grace in Christianity, divin ...
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 The Reverend (abbreviated as The Revd, The Rev'd or The Rev) is an honorific style (form of address), style given to certain (primarily Western Christian, Western) Christian clergy and Christian minister, ministers. There are sometimes differen ...
); 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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
and
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
canons *The Reverend Doctor (abbreviation ''The Rev. Dr.''), oral address ''Father'' or ''Doctor'' –
Priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
s and other ordained clergy with a
doctorate A doctorate (from Latin ''doctor'', meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' licentia docendi'' ("licence to teach ...
*The Reverend Father (abbreviation ''The Rev. Fr.''), oral address ''Father'' –
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
(and many
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
)
priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
s *The Reverend Mother (abbreviation ''The Rev. Mo.''), oral address ''Mother'' –
Abbess An abbess (Latin: ''abbatissa'') is the female superior of a community of nuns in an abbey. Description In the Catholic Church (both the Latin Church and Eastern Catholic), Eastern Orthodox, Coptic, Lutheran and Anglican abbeys, the mod ...
es (also, some female
Anglican Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deity, deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in parti ...
s ) *The Reverend Deacon (abbreviation ''Rev. Deacon''), oral address ''Deacon''
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
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 Anglicanism, also known as Episcopalianism in some countries, is a Western Christianity, Western Christian tradition which developed from the practices, liturgy, and identity of the Church of England following the English Reformation, in the ...
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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
Sulpician priests *Mister (abbreviation ''Mr.''), oral address often ''Mister'' –
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
seminarians and scholastics (members preparing for priesthood) of ''some'' religious orders (notably,
Jesuits The Society of Jesus (; abbreviation: S.J. or SJ), also known as the Jesuit Order or the Jesuits ( ; ), is a religious order (Catholic), religious order of clerics regular of pontifical right for men in the Catholic Church headquartered in Rom ...
). *Father (pater) *Brother (abbreviation ''Bro.''), oral address ''Brother'' –
Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
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 List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...
members of religious orders under vows (both monastic and non-monastic) who are not abbesses. * Elder: 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 Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian Christian denomination, denomination and 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
rabbi A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...
s, who are scions of a Hasidic Dynasty. * Dom is an
honorific An honorific is a title that conveys esteem, courtesy, or respect for position or rank when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term "honorific" is used in a more specific sense to refer to an Honorary title (academic), h ...
prefix A prefix is an affix which is placed before the stem of a word. Particularly in the study of languages, a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the word to which it is affixed. Prefixes, like other affixes, can b ...
ed 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 f ...
. It derives from the Latin '' Dominus''. It is used in English for certain
Benedictine The Benedictines, officially the Order of Saint Benedict (, abbreviated as O.S.B. or OSB), are a mainly contemplative monastic order of the Catholic Church for men and for women who follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. Initiated in 529, th ...
(including some communities which follow the Rule of St. Benedict) and
Carthusian The Carthusians, also known as the Order of Carthusians (), are a Latin enclosed religious order of the Catholic Church. The order was founded by Bruno of Cologne in 1084 and includes both monks and nuns. The order has its own rule, called th ...
monks, and for members of certain communities of
Canons Regular The Canons Regular of St. Augustine are Catholic priests who live in community under a rule ( and κανών, ''kanon'', in Greek) and are generally organised into Religious order (Catholic), religious orders, differing from both Secular clergy, ...
. Examples include Benedictine monks of the
English Benedictine Congregation The English Benedictine Congregation (EBC) is a congregation of autonomous Abbey, abbatial and Priory, prioral monastic communities of Catholic Church, Catholic Benedictine monks, nuns, and oblate (religion), lay oblates. It is technically the o ...
(e.g. Dom John Chapman, late Abbot of Downside). The equivalent female usage for such a monastic is "
Dame ''Dame'' is a traditionally British honorific title given to women who have been admitted to certain orders of chivalry. It is the female equivalent of ''Sir'', the title used by knights. Baronet, Baronetesses Suo jure, in their own right also u ...
" (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 Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...
Ayatullahs, who have accomplished the highest religious jurisprudent knowledge degree called as
marja' Marja (; plural ''marājiʿ''; ) is a title given to the highest level of Twelver Shia religious cleric, with the authority given by a hawzah (a seminary where Shi'a Muslim scholars are educated) to make legal decisions within the confines of Sh ...
and some people officially follow them. *Ayatullah, oral address ''Ayatullah'' –
Shia Shia Islam is the second-largest branch of Islam. It holds that Muhammad designated Ali ibn Abi Talib () as both his political successor (caliph) and as the spiritual leader of the Muslim community (imam). However, his right is understood ...
religious degree who has accomplished a religious high course of lessons and is capable of individually issuing religious verdicts. * Seghatoleslam, is an honorific title within the
Twelver Twelver Shi'ism (), also known as Imamism () or Ithna Ashari, is the Islamic schools and branches, largest branch of Shia Islam, Shi'a Islam, comprising about 90% of all Shi'a Muslims. The term ''Twelver'' refers to its adherents' belief in twel ...
Shia clergy. Seghatoleslam designates narrators whose justice and trustworthiness have been explicitly verified. *Amīr al-Mu'minīn (), usually translated Commander of the Faithful or Leader of the Faithful, is the Arabic style of some
Caliph A caliphate ( ) is an institution or public office under the leadership of an Islamic steward with Khalifa, the title of caliph (; , ), a person considered a political–religious successor to the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a leader of ...
s and other independent sovereign
Muslim Muslims () are people who adhere to Islam, a Monotheism, monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God ...
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 Isis was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. Isis was first mentioned in the Old Kingdom () as one of the main characters of the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her sla ...
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Ibrahim Awwad Ibrahim Ali al-Badri (28 July 1971 – 27 October 2019), commonly known by his ''nom de guerre'' Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was an Iraqi militant leader who was the founder and first leader of the Islamic State (IS), who proclaimed hims ...
, The Ahmadiyya Muslim Caliph, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the King of Morocco, The Sultan of Sokoto, The supreme leaders of the Afghan
Taliban , leader1_title = Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, Supreme leaders , leader1_name = {{indented plainlist, * Mullah Omar{{Natural Causes{{nbsp(1994–2013) * Akhtar Mansour{{Assassinated (2015–2016) * Hibatullah Akhundzada (2016–present) ...
. *Cantor, oral address ''Cantor'' (some cantors use ''The Reverend'' as style, as above) – Jewish cantors *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 Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
priests *
Swami Swami (; ; sometimes abbreviated sw.) in Hinduism is an honorific title given to an Asceticism#Hinduism, ascetic who has chosen the Sannyasa, path of renunciation (''sanyāsa''), or has been initiated into a religious monastic order of Vaishnavas ...
– in
Hinduism Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
an ascetic or yogi who has been initiated into a religious monastic order. Informally, "Swamiji". *Officers of
The Salvation Army The Salvation Army (TSA) is a Protestantism, Protestant Christian church and an international charitable organisation headquartered in London, England. It is aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement. The organisation reports a worldwide m ...
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'' (Commonwealth English) or ''The Honorable'' (American English; American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or, see spelling differences) (abbreviation: ''Hon.'', ''Hon'ble'', or variations) is an honorific Style ...
Governor-General Governor-general (plural governors-general), or governor general (plural governors general), is the title of an official, most prominently associated with the British Empire. In the context of the governors-general and former British colonies, ...
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 Governor-General of Australia, 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 Council (Commonwealth countries), 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.


Belgium

* His/Her Majesty – The Monarchy of Belgium, King or Queen of the Belgians * His/Her Royal Highness – The Duke of Brabant, Duke/Duchess of Brabant and Prince of Belgium, Prince/Princess of Belgium * His/Her Imperial and Royal Majesty – Austria-Este, Archduke/Archduchess of Austria-Este * His/Her Serene Highness: ** Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess of House of Arenberg, Arenberg ** Duke/Duchess of Beaufort-Spontin ** Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess of Croÿ ** Prince/Princess of Habsburg-Lorraine residing in Belgium ** Prince/Princess of Lobkowitz residing in Belgium ** Prince/Princess and Duke/Duchess of Looz-Corswarem ** Prince/Princess of House of Stolberg, Stolberg-Stolberg ** Prince of Waterloo, Prince/Princess of Waterloo * The Well-born: ** Duke/Duchess ** Marquess/Marchioness ** Count/Countess ** Viscount/Visountess * The High Well-born: ** Baron/Baroness ** Knight ** Jonkheer, ''Jonkheer''/''Jonkvrouw''


Brunei

Known as ''terasul'' in the Malay language. * ''Kebawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (Kebawah DYMM)'', equivalent to His or Majesty, Her Majesty (HM) – for Sultan of Brunei, 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 Royal Highness, 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 Royal Highness, 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 – Monarchy of Canada, King/Queen of Canada *His/Her Excellency – Governor General of Canada, Governor General, Viceregal consort of Canada, vice-regal consort,
ambassador An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
s, and High Commissioner (Commonwealth), high commissioners ''in office'' *
The Right Honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: The Rt Hon. or variations) is an honorific Style (form of address), style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire, and the Commonwealt ...
– Governors general, Prime Minister of Canada, prime ministers, Chief Justice of Canada, chief justices of Canada and certain eminent Canadians ''for life'' *His/Her Honour – Lieutenant governor (Canada), Lieutenant-governors and viceregal consorts ''in office'' *The Honourable **''For life'' – Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada, Senate of Canada, senators, lieutenant-governors, and members and honorary members of the Executive Councils Executive Council of Nova Scotia, of Nova Scotia and Executive Council of Alberta, of Alberta **''In office only'' – Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada, Speaker of the House of Commons, Minister of the Crown, 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, Commissioner#Canadian territories, territorial commissioners, and members of other provincial and territorial executive councils ***Note: Members of Parliament are often referred to in the House of Commons as "the honourable member for (Electoral district (Canada), 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 of Chile, President, and some senior members of the judiciary. *The Honourable - granted to Senate of Chile, Senators, members of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, Chamber of Deputies, 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 – Monarchy of New Zealand, King of New Zealand * His/Her Excellency – the current Governor-General of New Zealand, Governor-General (and the Spouse of the Governor-General of New Zealand, Governor-General's spouse). * The Right Honourable – the current and former List of prime ministers of New Zealand, prime ministers, the current and former speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, speakers of the House of Representatives, 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. * The Honourable – the current Ministers in the New Zealand Government, ministers; former ministers commended by the prime minister; and the current and former judges of the Supreme, High and Appeal courts * His/Her Honour – judges of district court * His/Her Worship – mayors in New Zealand, mayors of territorial authorities and justices of the peace.


Jamaica

The Most Honourable – In Jamaica, Governor-General of Jamaica, governors-general, as well as their spouses, are entitled to be styled "The Most Honourable" upon receipt of the Jamaican Order of the Nation."National Awards of Jamaica"
, Jamaica Information Service, accessed 12 May 2015.
Prime Minister of Jamaica, 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 of India, 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), Sardar (kings in territories of Punjab within Sikh Empire), Padishah, Badshah (Mughal Empire), Vazeer-e-Aala (in Mughal Empire) etc.


African traditional rulers

In most of Africa, many styles are used by Monarchies in Africa, 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 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 adjec ...
or
Royal Highness Royal Highness is a style used to address or refer to some members of royal families, usually princes or princesses. Kings and their female consorts, as well as queens regnant, are usually styled ''Majesty''. When used as a direct form of a ...
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 Chief of the Name, 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 monarch, 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 of Hong Kong, Chief Executive is styled as The Honourable. Certain senior government officials (such as the Chief Secretary for Administration), President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, President of the Legislative Council, members of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, 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 Republic of Ireland, Ireland, holders of offices with Irish language, Irish names are usually addressed in English by its Irish declension#Nominative, nominative form (so, 'Taoiseach' and 'Tánaiste'), though the Irish declension#Vocative, Irish vocative forms differ (''a Thaoisigh'' and ''a Thánaiste''). President of Ireland#Official residence, salute, style and address, The President may be styled 'His/Her Excellency' (, / ''A Soilse'' ) and addressed 'Your Excellency' (Irish: ''A Shoilse''), or simply 'President' (Irish: ''A Uachtaráin'' ). The titles 'Government of Ireland, Minister' and 'Seanad Éireann, Senator' are used as forms of address; only the latter as a style. A Teachta Dála, TD (''Teachta Dála'') is formally addressed and styled as 'Deputy', though often simply ''Mr.'', ''Mrs.'', etc. Similarly, local government in the Republic of Ireland, 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

* ** equivalent to Majesty, His or Her Majesty, is for Yang di-Pertuan Agong and His Majesty's consort, the Raja Permaisuri Agong, with the prefix added after ''KDYMM.'' ** equivalent to Royal Highness, His or Her Royal Highness, is for''—'' *** the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan and the Sultanah of Kedah *** the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan and List of Pahangese royal consorts, Tengku Ampuan of Pahang *** the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan and the Tengku Ampuan Besar of Terengganu or the Sultanah of Terengganu *** the Sultan of Kelantan *** the Regent of Pahang * ** equivalent to Majesty, His or Her Majesty, is for the Sultan of Johor, Sultan and the Permaisuri of Johor, or (Queen consort, Queen Consort of Sultan of Johor, Johor). ** equivalent to Royal Highness, His or Her Royal Highness, is for''—'' *** the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Yang di-Pertuan Besar and the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan *** the Raja of Perlis, Raja and the Raja Perempuan of Perlis *** the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan and the Tengku Ampuan of Selangor or the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor *** the Sultan of Perak, with the prefix added after ''DYMM.'' *** the Raja Perempuan of Perak or the Raja Permaisuri of Perak *** the Sultanah of Pahang *** the Raja Perempuan of Kelantan or the Sultanah of Kelantan * equivalent to Her Royal Highness, His or Her Royal Highness, is for all widowed consorts. * , equivalent to Her Highness, His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** the Tengku Mahkota and the Tengku Puan of Pahang * , equivalent to Her Highness, 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 Yang di-Pertuan Muda and the Tengku Puan Muda of Terengganu ** the Raja Muda and the Raja Puan Muda of Selangor * , equivalent to Her Highness, His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** the Tengku Mahkota and the Tengku Ampuan Mahkota of Kelantan or the Che Puan Mahkota of Kelantan ** the Che Puan Muda of Selangor ** Undang, Ruling chiefs of Negeri Sembilan ** Senior royal family members in royal states * , equivalent to Her Highness, His or Her Highness, is for''—'' ** the Tunku Mahkota and the Tunku Puan Mahkota of Kedah ** Duli Yang Amat Mulia (DYAM), equivalent to His or Her Royal Highness, is for— ** the Pemangku Sultan of Johor, or (the Regent Sultan of Sultan of Johor, Johor). ** the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, or (the Crown prince, Crown Prince of Sultan of Johor, Johor). ** the Raja Muda of Johor, or (the wikt:deputy, Deputy Crown prince, Crown Prince of Sultan of Johor, Johor). * , equivalent to His Highness, His or Her Highness, is for royal family members and the Che’ Puan Mahkota, the wife of Tunku Mahkota of Johor and to the Che’ Puan Muda, the wife of Raja Muda of Johor. * , equivalent to His Highness, His or Her Highness, is for extended royal family members. * , equivalent to His or Her Excellency, is for Yang di-Pertua Negeri, governors, High Commissioner (Commonwealth), high commissioners and
ambassador An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or so ...
s. * , equivalent to the Right Honourable, is for Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Deputy Prime Minister and Chief Minister, the Chief Minister. * , equivalent to the Honourable, is for''—'' ** Cabinet of Malaysia, Federal ministers and ministers of state of Sabah and Sarawak ** Cabinet of Malaysia, Federal deputy ministers ** members of Johor 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 " and " from Johor * , equivalent to the Right Honourable, is for chief judges. * , equivalent to Honourable, the Honourable, is for''—'' ** judges and judicial commissioners ** Attorney-General of the State of Sarawak * , equivalent to the Right Honourable, is for royal representatives in districts of Selangor. * , equivalent to the Honourable, is for''—'' ** selected Orang Besar Negeri of Perak ** high and senior police officers * is for''—'' ** spouses of governors ** spouses of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Minister ** persons with the title of "" ** the Orang Besar Empat of Perak ** spouses of ** commoner spouses of senior royals family * is for''—'' ** the top officials of the Government of Malaysia, Federal Government, namely Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, Chief Secretary to the Government, Attorney General of Malaysia, Attorney General, Chief of Defence Forces (Malaysia), Chief of Defence Force, Inspector-General of Police (Malaysia), 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 "" and "", or equivalent, and their spouses ** spouses of high commissioners and ambassadors ** spouses of and ** commoner spouses of extended royals family * is for higher public officers without any title in Kelantan. * is for''—'' ** high public officers without any title and their spouses ** spouses of and * is for high military officers without any title. * is for senior military officers without any title. * , equivalent to
His Eminence His Eminence (abbreviation H.Em. 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 address in ...
, is for State Muftis''. '' * , equivalent to His Grace, is for State Deputy Muftis, Qadhi, Qadis and senior Ulamas. * , equivalent to , is special for the Director of Islamic Affairs of Selangor.


Morocco

* His Majesty – The King of Morocco. * His Imperial Majesty – The king of Morocco, 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). * His/Her Excellency – The Prime Minister of Morocco.


Philippines

*His/Her Excellency – The president of the Philippines. The title in Filipino language, 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, members of the Congress of the Philippines, 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 (Philippines), Commission on Elections when they convene as provincial and national boards of canvassers, are mostly addressed as ''Your Honor'', because it was unfortunately rendered from "the Spanish term for addressing parliamentarians, and a mistake made" when Congress's predecessor, the Philippine Legislature, abruptly changed to the use of English from "mainly Spanish in its deliberations." *His Magnificence the Very Reverend - Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, The rector magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas, 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 King of Spain, 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 (), Knights and Dames of the Collar, Knights and Dames Grand Cross, as well as regional presidents. Mayors and town councils. *His/Her Illustriousness () – marquesses, counts, viscounts, Knights and Dames Commander by Number, 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, members of the Royal Orders (Commander, Officer, Cross), seigneurs, members of parliament, judges, court clerks. *Lord (''Don'' or ''Doña'') - hidalgos and Spanish citizens who are members of the Royal Orders.


Thailand

* His/Her
Majesty Majesty (abbreviated HM for His Majesty or Her Majesty, oral address Your Majesty; from the Latin , meaning ) is used as a manner of address by many monarchs, usually kings or queens. Where used, the style outranks the style of ''(Imperial/Roy ...
– 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, 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, Phra Ong Chao" ''(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, Phra Ong Chao. 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. *Royal Highness, His Royal Highness, oral address Your Royal Highness – royal princes. *Royal Highness, Her Royal Highness, oral address Your Royal Highness – royal princesses. *''Highness, His Highness (obsolete)'', or address Your Highness - royal princes. *''Highness, Her Highness (obsolete)'', or address Your Highness - royal princesses. *Grace (style), His Grace (oral address ''Your Grace'' or Duke) – Dukes. Occasionally the
Archbishop of Canterbury The archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and a principal leader of the Church of England, the Primus inter pares, ceremonial head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the bishop of the diocese of Canterbury. The first archbishop ...
, the Archbishop of York and other archbishops are also styled His Grace. Duchesses are likewise styled Her Grace. *Lord – male marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons, as well as some of their sons. (Style: Your Lordship or My Lord.) *Lady – Marquess, marchionesses, Earl, countesses, viscountesses, baronesses, and the wives of baronets and knights. (Style: Your Ladyship or My Lady.) *Sir – males, formally if they have a Knighthood, British knighthood or if they are a baronet. *Dame – female knights and baronetesses Suo jure, in their own right (''suo jure''). *
The Right Honourable ''The Right Honourable'' (abbreviation: The Rt Hon. or variations) is an honorific Style (form of address), style traditionally applied to certain persons and collective bodies in the United Kingdom, the former British Empire, and the Commonwealt ...
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 earls, 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, Justice of the peace, 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. In Australia all states now use His Honour, 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 barons, chiefs, chieftains 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 Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...
, 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, Countess of Wessex, Sophie Rhys-Jones married Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, 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, Princess of Wales, 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 III, King Charles III (Then; HRH the Prince of Wales) 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 was known as HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, until the accession of her husband as King, because of 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, Duchess of York, 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 Clint Scherf, Mayor of the City of Grants Pass"). 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 U.S. 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 was often called President Carter during his lifetime. 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 Mitt Romney 2012 presidential campaign, 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 Justice of the United States, 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 Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealths of Massachusetts and Virginia and the states of South Carolina, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. *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 Franking, franks, 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 (1964), Hamilton v. Alabama'', 376 U.S. 650 (1964), is a Supreme Court of the United States, United States Supreme Court case in which the court held that an African Americans, African-American woman, Mary Hamilton (activist), 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, such as Style of the French sovereign, those of the Bourbon monarchy of France, 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 Bourbon-Parma, 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 Russian Empire, Imperial Russia, see Table of Ranks. The names of some offices are also
title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...
s, 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 is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...
. 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 The president of Ireland () is the head of state of Republic of Ireland, Ireland and the supreme commander of the Defence Forces (Ireland), Irish Defence Forces. The presidency is a predominantly figurehead, ceremonial institution, serving as ...
, 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 nicknames, are often widely used among politicians in the US, even in formal situations (as an extreme example, President Jimmy Carter, 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, 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'', roughly means awarding a ''style'' to oneself, often without adequate justification or authority, but the expression often refers to descriptions or
title A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify their generation, official position, military rank, professional or academic qualification, or nobility. In some languages, titles may be ins ...
s (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 in Spain *Forms of address in the Russian Empire *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) Styles (forms of address),