TRMN:Membership Handbook:PeerageAddress

Forms of Address by Peerage

Grand Duke/Grand Duchess

• Formally referred to as: His/Her Most Serene Grace, The Grand Duke / Grand 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–Steadholder

• 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 postnominals 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.

Children of Hereditary Peers

Cadet Seats 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 & 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.

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