Cabinet Ministers are usually made Privy Counsellors as a result of their taking office. In correspondence they should be addressed by their official titles prefixed by "The Right Honourable" and not by their personal names, for example:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The Right Honourable The Prime Minister | Prime Minister | |
| The Right Honourable The Deputy Prime Minister | Deputy Prime Minister | |
| The Right Honourable The Chancellor of the Exchequer | Chancellor | |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Chancellor | Lord Chancellor | |
| The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs | Foreign Secretary | |
| The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for the Home Department | Home Secretary | |
| The Right Honourable The Attorney General | Attorney General | |
| The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for Scotland | Secretary of State | |
| The Right Honourable The Secretary of State for Wales | Secretary of State | |
| Male | The Right Honourable The Lord President of the Council | Lord President |
| Female | The Right Honourable The President of the Council | President |
Junior ministers are not Privy Counsellors, although there are some exceptions. Because there are many junior ministerial posts in the Government, ministers' personal names are also used, for example:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| John Doe Esq. MP Minister of State, Home Office |
Minister | |
| Mrs Joan Doe MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department of Health |
Minister or Under Secretary | |
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Chancellor | Lord Chancellor | |
| John Doe Esq. MP Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department |
Minister [where appropriate] |
|
| John Doe Esq, MP Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department |
Parliamentary Secretary | |
| John Doe Esq. MP Parliamentary Private Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department |
Mr Doe | |
Please Note: Orally, the Parliamentary Secretary and the Minister of State are referred to as "Minister".
| Office | Address | Dear... |
| Member of Parliament (MP after surname, honours and decorations) |
John Doe Esq. MP | Mr Doe |
| Member of Parliament also a Privy Counsellor |
The Right Honourable John Doe MP | Mr Doe |
| Speaker of the House of Commons | The Right Honourable The Speaker | Mr or Madam Speaker |
| Chairman of Ways and Means and his deputies are addressed by name | John Doe Esq. MP | Mr Doe |
| Members of the European Parliament (MEP after their names) | John Doe Esq. MEP | Mr Doe |
Please Note: From the moment Parliament is dissolved until a new Parliament meets, there is no Parliament and accordingly no Members of Parliament. During this time no one should be given the letters "MP" after their name.
| Ministers | Address | Dear... |
| Scottish Executive | [The Right Honourable] the First Minister | First Minister |
| National Assembly for Wales | [The Right Honourable] the First Secretary | First Secretary |
| Northern Ireland Assembly | [The Right Honourable] the First Minister The Deputy First Minister | First Minister Deputy First Minister |
| Members of Devolved institutions | ||
| Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP after surname, honours and decorations) | John Doe, Esq., CB, MSP | Mr Doe |
| Members of the National Assembly for Wales (AM after surname, honours and decorations) | John Doe, Esq., OBE, AM | Mr Doe |
| Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly (MLA after surname, honours and decorations) | John Doe, Esq., MBE, MLA | Mr Doe |
Please Note: From the moment a Devolved Administration is dissolved until a new Devolved Administration meets, members of that Devolved Administration should not be given the post nominal letters MSP, AM or MLA.
After the Lord Chancellor there are five Heads of Divisions - they are:
Lord Chief Justice
Master of the Rolls
President of the Queen's Bench Division
President of the Family Division
Chancellor of the High Court
They are Privy Counsellors. They should be addressed by their judicial titles prefixed by "The Right Honourable". For example:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales |
Lord Chief Justice/Chief Justice | |
| The Right Honourable The Master of the Rolls |
Master of the Rolls | |
| The Right Honourable The President of the Queen's Bench Division |
President | |
| The Right Honourable The Chancellor of the High Court |
Chancellor | |
| Retired Head of Division | Title in Private Capacity | |
Please Note: Honours and decorations are not included unless referring to the person by name.
Lords of Appeal in Ordinary are judges who sit in the House of Lords. They are Privy Counsellors and should be addressed as follows:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | Orally /In Court |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Doe | Lord Doe | My Lord [collectively: Your Lordships] |
| If rank in peerage is higher than that of Baron: The Right Honourable The Viscount Doe Except Dukes |
Lord Doe Duke |
|
| Retired Lord of Appeal | No change. | N/A |
Please Note: Please see "Peers" for further information.
Judges who sit in the Court of Appeal (Lords Justices of Appeal) are Privy Counsellors. They are known officially as Lord Justices. They should be addressed as follows:
| Gender | Address in Correspondence |
Dear... | Orally In Court |
| Male: Appointed but not sworn in. Retired |
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Doe The Honourable Lord Justice Doe The Right Honourable Sir John Doe |
Lord Justice Lord Justice Lord Justice or Judge |
Lord Justice Doe or My Lord N/A N/A |
| Female: Officially Informally Appointed but not sworn in Retired |
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Doe The Right Honourable Lady Justice Doe The Honourable Lord/ Lady Justice Doe The Right Honourable Dame Mary Doe |
Lord Justice Lady Justice Lord/Lady Justice Lady Justice / Judge |
Lady Justice Doe or My Lady N/A N/A |
Please Note: Forenames are not inserted unless there are two judges with the same or similar surname, in which case the junior judge of the two uses his forename and surname.
Members of the High Court are not usually Privy Counsellors. Their official designation is as follows:
| Gender | Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Male | High Court judge and a Privy Counsellor As above but retired High Court judge but not a Privy Counsellor As above but retired |
The Right Honourable Mr Justice Doe The Right Honourable Sir John Doe The Honourable Mr Justice Doe Sir John Doe |
Judge Judge Judge Judge |
| Female | High Court judge and a Privy Counsellor As above but retired: High Court judge but not a Privy Counsellor As above but retired |
The Right Honourable Mrs Justice Doe (whether
married or single) The Right Honourable Dame Mary Doe The Honourable Mrs Justice Doe Dame Mary Doe |
Judge Judge Judge Judge |
Please Note:
Forenames are not inserted unless there are two judges with the same or similar surname, in which case the junior judge of the two uses his forename and surname.
High Court judges are normally knighted as Knights Bachelor or appointed as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire as soon as possible after their appointment and should be addressed accordingly in their private capacities.
A High Court judge, or a more senior member of the judiciary, is never given the letters QC after their name, even if a Queen's Counsel when at the bar.
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Recorder of London : | The Recorder of London, His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) |
Recorder |
| Common Serjeant of London: | The Common Serjeant His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) |
Common Serjeant |
| Retired Recorder | As retired circuit judge (see below) |
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Male: Also a peer Also a knight Retired |
His Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) His Honour Judge The Lord Doe His Honour Judge Sir John Doe His Honour John Doe |
Judge Judge Judge Judge |
| Female: Also a peeress Also a dame Retired |
Her Honour Judge Doe (QC if appropriate) Her Honour Judge The Lady Doe Her Honour Judge Dame Joan Doe DBE Her Honour Mary Doe |
Judge Judge Judge Judge |
Please Note: Forenames are not inserted unless there are two judges with the same or similar surname, in which case the junior judge of the two uses his forename and surname.
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | Orally |
| Judge Advocate General - If a Circuit judge: His Honour Judge Doe (QC if applicable) Judge Advocate General If not a Circuit judge - delete "His Honour Judge" |
Judge or Judge Advocate General | Judge or Judge Advocate General |
| Vice Judge Advocate General - John Doe, Esq, Vice Judge Advocate General |
Vice Judge Advocate General | Vice Judge Advocate General |
| Assistant Judge Advocate General - Judge Advocate Doe |
Judge Advocate | Judge Advocate |
| In retirement | No title (unless a retired circuit judge) | |
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | Orally |
| Master Doe (whether male or female) | Master | Master |
| Mr (or Mrs) Registrar Doe | Registrar | Registrar |
| In retirement | No title | |
Please Note : Neither forenames nor initials should be used unless there is already a Master or Registrar with the same or similar surname.
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | Orally in Court |
| The Senior Master Queen's Bench Division | Senior Master | Senior Master |
| The Chief Chancery Master | Chief Master | Chief Master |
| The Admiralty Registrar | Admiralty Registrar | Admiralty Registrar |
| The Senior Costs Judge | Judge or Master | Judge or Master |
| The Chief Bankruptcy Registrar | Chief Registrar | Chief Registrar |
| In retirement | No title | |
Please Note :It is incorrect to address senior masters and registrars by their personal names such as: "Chief Master Doe" or "Senior Registrar Doe".
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | Orally |
| District Judge Doe | Judge | Sir or Madam |
| Senior District Judge Principal Registry of the Family Division | Judge | Sir or Madam |
| In retirement | No title | |
The Access to Justice Act 1999 amalgamated the Provincial and Metropolitan Stipendiary Benches to form one unified jurisdiction throughout England and Wales and renamed Magistrates, District Judge (Magistrates' Courts).
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | Orally |
| Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) | Judge | Sir or Madam |
| Deputy Senior District Judge(Magistrates' Courts) | Judge | Sir or Madam |
| District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Doe | Judge | Sir or Madam |
Please Note: It is incorrect to omit the title in brackets; neither should The Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) or the Deputy Senior District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) be addressed by their personal names - i.e. not "Senior District Judge (Chief Magistrate) Doe" or "Deputy Senior District Judge (Magistrates' Courts) Doe)
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Justices of the Peace | John Doe Esq. JP |
| In retirement | No title |
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Tribunal Chairmen | Normal Titles in their private capacities |
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Members of the Bar | Usual titles in their private capacities |
| Queen's Counsel (When the Sovereign is a King) |
John Doe Esq. QC John Doe Esq. KC |
| QC/KC when appointed to Senior Judiciary | Never use QC or KC |
Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General are Privy Counsellors and should be addressed as follows:
| Division | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Civil | The Right Honourable Lord Doe Lord President of the Court of Session |
Lord President |
| Criminal | The Right Honourable Lord Doe Lord Justice General |
Lord Justice General |
| Retired | The Honourable Lord Doe | Lord Doe |
| Office/Position | Address in Correspondence | Dear... |
| Lord Justice Clerk | ||
| Not a Privy Counsellor | The Honourable Lord Doe Lord Justice Clerk |
Lord Justice Clerk |
| Is a Privy Counsellor | The Right Honourable Lord Doe Lord Justice Clerk |
Lord Justice Clerk |
| Retired | The Honourable Lord Doe | Lord Doe |
Judges of the Court of Session are all Senators of the College of Justice in Scotland and have the courtesy style and title of "Lord" or "Lady" (which should be distinguished from a peerage title) and also the prefix "Honourable". They should be addressed as follows:
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... | |
| Male: Not a Privy Counsellor Privy Counsellor Retired Wife of retired judge |
The Honourable Lord Doe The Right Honourable Lord Doe The Honourable Lord Doe Lady Doe |
Lord Doe Lord Doe Lord Doe Lady Doe |
| Female: Not a Privy Counsellor Privy Counsellor Retired Husband of retired judge |
The Honourable Lady Doe The Right Honourable Lady Doe The Right Honourable Lady Doe No title |
Lady Doe Lady Doe Lady Doe
|
The Chairman is addressed in the same way as a judge of the Court of Session.
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| The Honourable Lord Doe |
Lord Doe |
| In retirement | As for judge of Court of Session |
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Sheriff - Principal John Doe (QC should be added where applicable) |
Sheriff Doe |
| Sheriff John Doe | Sheriff Doe |
| In retirement | No title |
The Description of Scottish Advocates is exactly the same as for the English Barristers:
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Members of the Bar - no special form of address |
Usual titles in their private capacities |
| Queen's counsel (When the Sovereign is a King) |
John Doe Esq. QC John Doe Esq. KC |
| QC/KC appointed as a Judge of the Court of Session |
Never use QC/KC |
· Lord Chief Justice - Lord Chief Justice is a Privy Counsellor.
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland |
Lord Chief Justice |
| Retirement | Normal title in private capacity |
Until the recent appointment of a Solicitor to the Bench, County Court judges have always been Queen's Counsel on appointment. The usual designation therefore remains:
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| His Honour Judge Doe (QC where appropriate) |
Judge |
| Retired: His Honour John Doe | Judge |
Please Note: Forenames are not inserted unless there are two judges with the same or similar surname, in which case the junior judge of the two uses his forename and surname.
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| His Honour Judge Doe QC Recorder of Belfast/ Londonderry |
Recorder |
| In retirement | As retired circuit judge see |
| Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| William Doe Esq. RM | Mr Doe |
| Henry Doe Esq. QC. RM | Mr Doe |
| In retirement | No title |
| Office/Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| The Chief Justice | The Honourable Mr Justice Doe | Chief Justice |
| Supreme Court + High Court judges |
The Honourable Mr Justice Doe The Honourable Ms/Mrs Justice Doe |
Mr Justice Mrs Justice |
| In retirement | As in England | |
| Office / Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| Judge of the Court of Justice of the European Communities | The Honourable Mr Peter Doe |
Judge |
| Advocate General to the Court of Justice of the European Communities | The Honourable Mr Peter Doe Advocate General |
Advocate General |
| Member of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities | Peter Doe, Esq. Judge of the Court of First Instance of the European Communities |
Judge |
| Country | Office / Position | Address (in correspondence) |
Dear... |
| India | The Chief Justice | The Honourable Mr Justice Singh | Chief Justice |
| Judges of the Supreme Courts and High Courts | Mr Justice Singh | Mr Justice Singh | |
| Canada | The Chief Justice | The Right Honourable the Chief Justice of Canada or The Right Honourable John Doe | Chief Justice |
| Judges of the Supreme Courts and High Courts | The Honourable Mr/Madam Justice Doe | Mr/Madam Justice Doe | |
| Judges of the County and District Courts | - | His/Her Honour | |
| Australia | Chief Justice of Australia | The Honourable John Doe | Chief Justice |
| Judges of the High Court Federal Court, Australia Supreme Court of South Australia (whether male or female) |
The Honourable Justice Doe | Justice Doe | |
| Judge appointed to Privy Council | The Right Honourable Justice Doe | Justice Doe | |
| Judges of all other Superior Courts of Australia: | Male: The (Right) Honourable Mr Justice Doe Female: The Right Honourable Justice Doe |
Mr Justice Doe Justice Doe |
|
| New Zealand | Chief Justice | The Right Honourable the Chief Justice | Chief Justice |
| Judges of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court | The Honourable Justice Doe | Justice Doe | |
| If Privy Counsellor: | The Right Honourable Justice Doe | Justice Doe |
Consult the relevant Embassy or High Commission.
There are five ranks or degrees in the Peerage. These are in descending order of dignity: dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts and barons.
"The Right Honourable" should be applied only where the peer is a member of the Privy Council.
"The" must in every case be applied before the name of a peer.
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| All dukes have the preposition "of" before their title | His Grace The Duke of Westminster | Duke |
| Most marquesses have the preposition "of" before their title | The Most Honourable The Marquess of Ailesbury | Lord Ailesbury |
| Except | The Most Honourable Marquess Townshend The Most Honourable Marquess Camden |
Lord Townshend Lord Camden |
| Most earls have the preposition "of" before their title: | The Earl of Snowdon | Lord Snowdon |
| Except: | The Earl Grey | Lord Grey |
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The Preposition "of" does not appear before the title of a viscount: | The Viscount Astor | Lord Astor |
| Except: | The Viscount of Arbuthnott The Viscount of Oxfuird |
Lord Arbuthnott Lord Oxfuird |
| The expression "Baron" is never applied when addressing a baron. | The Lord Brown | Lord Brown |
| However, "Baroness" is used. | The Baroness Brown | Lady Brown |
| The junior female rank in the Peerage of Scotland is not "Baroness" | The Lady Macbeth | Lady Macbeth |
Please note:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| Where a place name forms part of a peerage title | The Lord Doe of Fulham | Lord Doe |
Please Note: The correct form of a peer's title may be obtained from Who's Who, Vacher's, Debrett's or Burke's Peerage but the final authority is the peer's writ of summons and, if any doubt remains, the Crown Office should be consulted.
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The Right Honourable The Lord Doe | Lord Doe | |
| Dukes and marquesses are not addressed as "The Right Honourable" but as: | His Grace The Duke of Devonshire PC or: The Most Honourable The Marquess of Abergavenny PC |
Duke Marquess |
Care must be taken to see that, if a peer is a knight of an Order of Chivalry, the appropriate letters are placed as a suffix to his name. (see Honours and decorations)
The forms of address for peeresses in their own right are the same, mutatis mutandis , as for peers except in the case of Baronesses.
A newly-created peer should be addressed as such from the time when Letters Patent are sealed, and not before.
The appellation "Sir" before a name indicates that the holder is a baronet or knight of some order of chivalry or simply a Knight Bachelor.
In every case they are entitled to the prefix "Sir", followed by the forename. Always use the forename by which the holder wishes to be known.
Never use initials.
In the case of women, the prefix becomes "Dame" and the suffixed initials begin with a "D".
For example:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| Baronet | Sir John Doe Bt (or Bart) | Sir John |
| Knights of an Order If a Judge |
Sir John Doe KCB His Honour Judge Sir John Doe |
Sir John |
| Knights Bachelor No female equivalent |
Sir John Doe | Sir John |
| Women | Dame Joan Doe DBE | Dame Joan |
Please Note:
When writing to the wives of peers, baronets or knights, the rule is that only the wife of a peer receives "The" before the title, eg:
| Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... | |
| The wife of a peer receives "The" before her title: | Her Grace the Duchess of Marlborough The Most Honourable the Marchioness of Milford Haven The Countess of Halifax The Viscountess Caldecote The Lady Doe |
Duchess Lady Milford Haven Lady Halifax Lady Caldecote Lady Doe |
| "The" is never employed to the wife of a
baronet or a knight. The forename of the knight is never used. |
Lady Doe or Joan, Lady Doe |
Lady Doe |
| Wife of a judge with a title in her own right. | Lady Joan Doe | Lady Joan |
| In husband's right. | Lady John Doe or Joan, Lady Doe |
Lady Doe |
| Rule | Example | Dear... |
| When a peer holds other titles, by courtesy, one of the lesser ones is used by his heir | Earl of Snowdon's Son - Viscount Linley | Lord Linley |
| The remaining children of a Duke or Marquess | Lord or Lady forename and surname | Lord James |
| The daughters of earls | Prefix "Lady" | Lady Henrietta |
| The sons of earls The children of viscounts barons and life peers who have no courtesy title |
"The Honourable" forename and surname | Mr / Miss |
| Office | Address (in Correspondence) | Dear... |
| Archbishop | The Most Reverend and Right Honourable The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury (or York) |
Archbishop |
| Archbishop upon resignation | The Right Reverend and Right Honourable | Bishop |
| Bishop | The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of ...... | Bishop |
| Bishop of London | The Right Reverend and Right Honourable The Lord Bishop of London | Bishop |
| Bishops Suffragan | The Right Reverend The Bishop of Willesden | Bishop |
| Bishop upon resignation | The Right Reverend John Doe | Bishop |
| Deans | The Very Reverend The Dean of ... | Dean |
| Deans previously consecrated a bishop | The Right Reverend The Dean of ... | Dean |
| Provosts | The Very Reverend The Provost of ... | Provost |
| Canons | The Reverend Canon John Doe | Canon or Canon Jones |
| Archdeacons | The Venerable The Archdeacon of... | Archdeacon |
| Clergy: male: female: |
The Reverend John Doe The Reverend Jane Doe |
Mr Doe Mrs/Miss Doe |
| Address. . . | Example... | |
| Royal Navy officers Ranks should be written in full. "R.N." written after their names and decorations for Commodore and below, but not Flag Officers (Rear Admiral and above) |
||
| Royal Marine officers Ranks should be written in full. "RM" after names and decorations (Lieutenant Colonel or below) Retired Marine officers may use "RM" after their names. |
||
| Army officers Ranks should be written in full. Regiment or Corps should be indicated by the appropriate initials after the name and decorations for all officers of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or below. No suffix is used for the officers of the rank of Colonel or above. |
Captain AP Doe, RA Lieutenant Colonel J G Doe WG |
|
| Royal Air Force officers Ranks should be written in full. All officers below the rank of Air Chief Marshal should have the suffix "RAF" written after their names and decorations. |
||
| Officers with titles Rank should be written before any title |
Admiral of the Fleet, The Lord ... Colonel Sir ... Squadron Leader The Honourable... |
Dear Lord... Dear Sir... Dear Squadron Leader... |
| Rank | Dear.... | Retired |
| Admiral of the Fleet: | According to title, otherwise Lord or Sir |
Title is retained for life |
| Admiral Vice Admiral Read Admiral |
According to title, otherwise Admiral |
By custom rank is used |
| Commodore Captain Commander |
Commodore Captain Commander |
By custom rank is used |
| Lieutenant Commander | Commander | By custom rank is used |
| Lieutenant Sub- Lieutenant |
Mr | |
| Midshipman | Mr |
Please Note:
| Rank | Dear.... | Retired |
| Field Marshal | According to title otherwise Lord or Sir |
Title is retained for Life |
| General Lieutenant General Major General |
General | Rank may be used |
| Brigadier | Brigadier | Rank may be used |
| Colonel Lieutenant Colonel |
Colonel | Rank may be used |
| Major | Major | Rank may be used |
| Captain Lieutenant |
Mr | |
| Second Lieutenant | Mr |
Please Note:
| Rank | Dear.... | Retired |
| Marshal of the Royal Air Force | According to title otherwise Dear Lord or Sir |
Titles is retained for life |
| Air Chief Marshal Air Marshal Air Vice Marshal |
Air Marshal | Rank may be used but should not use "RAF" after their names |
| Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander |
Air Commodore Group Captain Wing Commander |
Rank may be used but should not use "RAF" after their names |
| Squadron Leader | Squadron Leader | As above |
| Flight Lieutenant Flying Officer |
Mr | |
| Pilot Officer | Mr |
Please Note:
| Office | Address in correspondence | Dear... |
| Lord Lieutenant | H.M. Lord-Lieutenant of the County of ..... | Usual title as in private capacity |
| Office / Position | Address in correspondence | Dear... |
| Lord Mayors of Cities (London, Cardiff, York and Belfast) | The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of (whether male or female) | Lord Mayor |
| Lord Mayor of other cities | The Lord Mayor of (unless Privy Counsellor) (whether male or female) | Lord Mayor |
| Office / Position | Address in correspondence | Dear... |
| Lord Provosts of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee | The Right Honourable The Lord Provost of the City of ... | Lord Provost |
| Office / Position | Address in correspondence | Dear... |
| Mayors of cities and boroughs | The Mayor of .... (unless a privy counsellor ) |
Mr Mayor |
Advice on when it is appropriate to use the correct Welsh style may be obtained from the Culture, Sport and Welsh Language Division of the National Assembly for Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ
These should be placed after the name, in the following order of precedence (the list does not include every honour or decoration but covers those most likely to be encountered).
| Abbreviation | |
| Bt/Bart | Baronet |
| VC | Victoria Cross |
| GC | George Cross |
| KG/LG | Knight (or Lady) of the Most Noble Order of the Garter |
| KT/LT | Knight (or Lady) of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle |
| PC | Privy Counsellor - only to be used as described in section on Peers who are Privy Counsellors |
| GCB | Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath |
| OM | Member of the Order of Merit |
| GCMG | Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George |
| GCVO | Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order |
| GBE | Knight (or Dame) Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| CH | Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour |
| KCB/DCB | Knight or Dame Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath |
| KCMG/DCMG | Knight or Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George |
| KCVO/DCVO | Knight or Dame Commander of the Royal Victorian Order |
| KBE/DBE | Knight or Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| Knight Batchelor (no suffix) | Knight |
| CB | Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath |
| CMG | Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George |
| CVO | Commander of the Royal Victorian Order |
| CBE | Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| DSO | Companion of the Distinguished Service Order |
| LVO | Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order |
| OBE | Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| ISO | Companion of the Imperial Service Order |
| MVO | Member of the Royal Victorian Order |
| MBE | Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire |
| CGC | Conspicuous Gallantry Cross |
| DSC | Distinguished Service Cross |
| MC | Military Cross |
| DFC | Distinguished Flying Cross |
| AFC | Air Force Cross |
| DCM | Distinguished Conduct Medal |
| CGM | Conspicuous Gallantry Medal |
| GM | George Medal |
| DSM | Distinguished Service Medal |
| MM | Military Medal |
| DFM | Distinguished Flying Medal |
| AFM | Air Force Medal |
| QGM | Queen's Gallantry Medal |
| BEM | British Empire Medal |
| TD | Territorial Efficiency Decoration |
| RD | Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve |
| VRD | Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve |
| AE | Air Efficiency Award |
When a higher class in the same order is awarded, all reference to the lower class is dropped, eg when the holder of the CB is promoted to a Knight in the same Order, the letters CB alone are placed after his name.
The relevant honour or decoration should be used from the moment The Queen's intention to grant it is officially announced (for example, in a published Honours List). The one exception is elevation to the Peerage, in which case the date of the Letters Patent of Creation is the relevant date.
Bt or Bart for Baronet, and Esq for Esquire, precede all other abbreviations after names. Other designations follow in the order set out below:
