Lords:Forms of address

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Forms of Address by Peerage

Grand Duke/Grand Duchess — Formally referred to as: His/Her Most Serene Grace, The Grand Duke/Duchess of (duchy); Addressed as: Your Grace (the first time) and Sir or Ma’am every time afterward. If you are a friend, you may use the name of his or her duchy. Close friends and relatives may use first names, but only in non-formal social occasions.

Duke/Duchess — Formally referred to as: His/Her Most Noble Grace, The Duke/Duchess of (duchy); Addressed as: Your Grace (the first time) and Sir or Ma’am every time afterward. If you are a friend, you may use the name of his or her duchy. Close friends and relatives may use first names, but only in non-formal social occasions.

Steadholder — Formally referred to as: His Lordship/Her Ladyship the Steadholder (title); Addressed as: My Lord or My Lady (the first time) and Sir or Ma’am every time afterward. If you are a friend, you may use the name of his or her lands. Close friends and relatives may use first names, but only in non-formal social occasions.

Senator — Formally referred to as: The Honorable (full name); Addressed as: Senator (last name – the first time) and Sir or Ma’am every time afterward. If you are a friend, you may use the name of his or her district. Close friends and relatives may use first names, but only in non- formal social occasions.

Earl/Countess — Formally referred to as: The Most Honorable The Earl of (county) or the Most Honorable The Countess of (county); Addressed as: Lord (county) or Lady (county) - the first time - and My Lord or My Lady every time afterward. If you are a close friend or relative, you may use simply the name of the county.

'Baron/Baroness — Formally referred to as: The Right Honorable The Baron (barony) or The Right Honorable The Baroness (barony); Addressed as: Lord (barony) or Lady (barony) - the first time - then My Lord or My Lady. If you are a friend or a relative, you may use simply the name of the barony.

Knight/Dame — Formally referred to as: Sir John Smith, KSK or Dame Jane Smith, KSK. The post nominals must always be used, and should be announced in order of precedence, rather than in order of seniority; Addressed as: Sir John, or Dame Jane.

Cadet Peers of a Hereditary Landed Peer — Formally referred to as: The Lord John Smith of (holding) or the Lady Jane Smith of (holding); Addressed as: My Lord or My Lady. Close friends and relatives may use first names.

Subsequent sons and daughters of a Hereditary Landed Peer — Formally referred to as: The Honorable John Smith of (holding) or the Honorable Jane Smith of (holding). Usually abbreviated in written references: “The Hon. John Smith.”Addressed as: Sir or Ma’am, or Mr. Smith/ Ms. Smith. Close friends and relatives may use first names.

Life Peerages - follow the same general style and form of address, but peer’s surname is used instead of a land title. For example, The Right Honorable Baron Smith

Courtesy Titles in the Peerage

Having been established in both canon and practice that courtesy titles are granted to a spouse when the Peer is legally married, and recognizing that not all partners, either by law or by choice, fall under those terms, courtesy titles are granted as follows:

Married Couple - If a Peer is married (in real life), their partner will receive the same privileges and title as the Peer, other than a seat in the House of Lords.

Non-Married Couple - Defined as two people who are representing themselves as married or equivalent. If a Peer is in a non-married relationship, their partner may receive the same privilege and title as the Peer.

For the spouse/partner to receive the honors, the Peer need only declare such to the Lord Speaker.

Polyamorous Relationships - If a Peer is in a polyamorous or multiple partner relationship, and the partners are either married or representing themselves as married, the primary spouse, nesting partner or partner (hereafter “partner”) may (by declaration) receive the same privilege and title as the Peer.

Secondary and tertiary partners, also married or representing as married, may be called Lord/Lady FIRSTNAME of PEERAGE LAND.

For additional partners who are married or representing as married to receive the honorific, the Peer need only petition the Lord Speaker.

In terms of the "same privileges and title" mentioned above, the title would have the appropriate gender form applied. For example the husband of a Countess would be referred to as Earl PEERAGE LAND, and the wife of a Baron would be referred to as Baroness PEERAGE LAND.

Announcement of courtesy titles

After receiving a petition from a peer The Lord speaker shall post to the peers:

Having been declared by Baron PEERAGE LAND to myself, the Lord Speaker, be it known that FULL NAME, is afforded the courtesy title of Baroness PEERAGE LAND with all the rights and privileges of said title.

The genders of the above can be swapped out as applicable. If the person being granted a courtesy title already holds a title in their own right then it should be given above after their name.

Knightly orders

There is no courtesy title for spouses of Knights in TRMN including the hereditary orders.