06-19-2009, 02:55 AM
Welcome to Hanover and Sconeland!
Welcome to our posting board, at any rate. On these forums, you may encounter any number of His Majesty's loyal subjects, some more frequently than others.
Perhaps more often than not, the individuals you encounter on this board will hold some interesting ranks or titles, some of which you may be unfamiliar with. Glennain, as you've surely gathered, is a monarchy. And in addition to royalty, Glennain boasts aristocrats, Great Officers of State, ecclesiastical prelates, politicians...and even a bartender.
You maybe wondering how to correctly address the people you encounter here. This brief guide to social etiquette will help you get it right...
THE SOVEREIGN
Styles and Titles in full:
His Majesty King James II is our currently reigning monarch. You will rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to interact with our Sovereign in the public forums, but should you happen to find yourself in the Royal Presence, here are a few tips:
1. When you first address the King, call him "Your Majesty" (never "Your Royal Majesty", "Your Royal Highness", "Your Highness" or anything else*). As the audience continues, you may simply address him as "Sir" (not "Sire"), however, always replace "you" with "Your Majesty" and "yours" with "Your Majesty's".
For example: "Your Majesty, good morning. I have in hand, Sir, the grammatical revisions to the Throne Speech that Your Majesty suggested. Your Majesty's suggestions will be sent, Sir, to the Prime Minister for his review in time for the State Opening of Parliament."
2. Almost counterintuitively, letters addressed to the Sovereign open with "Sir", not with "Your Majesty", a common mistake. Close your letter with, "I have the honour to be Your Majesty's Most Obedient Servant, (signature)".
3. Never be casual or flippent during an exchange with the Sovereign; always take care to be profoundly reverent and respectful. Avoid political topics when conversing with His Majesty. The Sovereign transcends party politics and one should never risk compromising the monarch's neutrality by introducing political topics in the course of conversation.
4. Domestically, His Majesty the King is just that: "His Majesty the King". It is generally incorrect to refer to the Sovereign as "King James II" or "The King of Hanover" or "The King of Sconeland", &c. He should be referred to simply as, "The King" or "His Majesty the King". This is true even when His Majesty is mentioned along with other kings,
For example, in a caption: Pictured left to right in this photograph: King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, His Majesty the King, King Haakon of Norway, and King George V Tupou of Tonga.
As an exception to this rule, however, the King's name is used when he is prayed for during public worship services.
For example: "We ask Thy blessings upon Thy servant, our sovereign lord King James, whom Thou hast..."
5. When offering the loyal toast, the host raises his glass to eye level using the very simple forumla: "The King." All respond, "The King", while likewise raising their glasses. Glasses are never "clinked".
The use of "His Majesty, James II", omitting "King", is appallingly incorrect in any case.
*There are situations in which more formal styles are employed, such as "Most Excellent Majesty" or "His Glennannic Majesty" but these forms are not used outside of those unique situations.
THE ROYAL FAMILY
HRH The Duchess of Modena
The honoured mother of His Majesty the King is addressed in conversation at first as "Your Royal Highness", and as "Ma'am" thereafter.
HRH The Princess Chasity, Duchess of Guelph
A Princess of the Blood Royal, HRH the Duchess of Guelph is the sister of His Majesty the King and, rather exceptionally, holds the peerage rank and title "Duchess of Guelph" in her own right. She is commonly referred to as "HRH the Duchess of Guelph".
Initiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", then use "Ma'am", thereafter.
HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Richard Garrett
Originally a Princess of the Blood Royal and formerly the Duchess (suo jure) of Claremont, HRH is the sister of Hanover's first king. She was honoured by His Majesty King James II with the restoration of her former style of "HRH" in the year 2010. "The" is not included between "HRH" and "Princess" as Her Royal Highness is neither the daughter nor the sister of the Monarch.
Inititiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", then use "Ma'am", thereafter. "Mrs. Garrett" is never correct, and conversely, "Your Royal Highness" must never be used to address Mr. Garrett: husbands do not enjoy the use of the styles of their wives. Mr. Richard Garrett, therefore, is correctly addressed simply as "Mr. Garrett".
Mr. Richard Garrett
The husband of HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Richard Garrett holds no style or title apart from that of "Mr. Garrett" and is addressed as such in conversation.
PEERS OF THE REALM
HRH The Duke of Gottingen
Dukes are typically addressed in conversation as "Your Grace", or simply as "Duke" (by other peers). Letters open with "My Lord Duke". In the case of the Duke of Gottingen, however, "Your Royal Highness" is used as he is a royal duke. "Lord Gottingen" is never correct. Only peers below the rank of Duke are addressed as "Lord (Title)". Initiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", after which you may simply call him "Sir".
Dukes are always the "Duke of", incidentally, and it is always incorrect to omit "of". A duke, therefore, is always the "Duke of Somethington" and never "Duke Somethington".
Although a "Royal Highness", the Duke of Gottingen is not a member of the Royal Family, as one might suppose. As our former king, the Duke was granted the style "Royal Highness" by the King following the former's abdication, to honour his august status.
HRH The Duchess of Gottingen
The wife of HRH the Duke of Gottingen is addressed in conversation first as "Your Royal Highness," and subsequently as "Ma'am".
The Marquess of Mountcastle
Style and titles in full: Lord Bishop of Kells His Lordship The Most Honourable James Richard Edward George (Marchmain), Marquess of Mountcastle, Earl of Lewiston, Viscount Marchmain of Kells, Baron Murchadha of Blessington.
In conversation, the Marquess of Mountcastle may be addressed either as "Lord Mountcastle" or "Your Lordship". It is never correct to address him as "Marquess". Only a duke is so addressed by his rank, and then, only by his fellow peers. Although Lord Mountcastle is also a bishop of the Church of Hanover, his peerage rank is superior to his ecclesiastical rank, and so he should not be addressed in the manner of a bishop, but in the manner of a marquess. He is never, for example, "Bishop Mountcastle" or "Bishop Marchmain".
The Count of Damoneigh
Styles and Titles in full: The Right Honourable* Daniel Dreesbach, PC, Count of Damoneigh
In conversation, the Count of Damoneigh may be addressed as "Lord Damoneigh". "Your Lordship" is also acceptable, if less usual. It is incorrect to address him as "Count", "Count Damoneigh", "Lord Dreesbach", or "Lord Daniel". A peer (below the rank of duke) is "Daniel Lord Damoneigh", and not "Lord Daniel Damoneigh". The reverse is true of a courtesy peer (the son of a peer entitled by courtesy to use one of his father's subsidiary titles). A courtesy peer is, in fact, a commoner.
*Such styles are frequently abbreviated: 'Right Honourable' as 'Rt. Hon.', 'Right Reverend' as 'Rt. Rev.', 'Most Reverend' as 'Most Rev.', 'Venerable' as 'Ven.', &c. Older modes of abbreviation include 'Hon'ble', 'Rev'd', 'Ven'able' and so forth, but these are generally considered outdated modes of abbreviation and the contemporary modes should generally be preferred.
Viscounts and Barons
Whereas in the case of a duke, a marquess, or a count, the preposition "of" is always included between the rank and title, such is not typically the case with respect to viscounts and barons. The title of a viscount or a baron, which is typically his surname, is expressed immediately after his rank. The full style of a baron or a viscount will usually include the county from which he hails (or whence his title is derived),
For example: The Right Honourable John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Viscount Smythe of Thaxton in the County of St. Edward's.
When the surname of a viscount or a baron is not also his title, his title will typically reflect a physical place. This will typically occur when two peers having the same surname share the same rank. As there cannot be two Viscounts Smythe, for example, the second Smythe created a viscount will be given a title that is not his name:
The Right Honourable Archibald Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Viscount Peterborough of Reade in the County of Angleshire.
In conversation, a viscount or a baron is addressed by the first part of his title with the style "lord". Therefore Viscount Smythe of Thaxton is addressed conversationally as "Lord Smythe" and Viscount Peterborough of Reade is addressed as "Lord Peterborough". It is perfectly correct, however, to refer to viscounts or barons by their ranks and titles, as such. The same, of course, goes for viscountesses or baronesses suo jure (who hold the title in their own right, as opposed to sharing their spouses' titles).
For example: "Good morning, Lord Peterborough. I spoke with the Viscount Smythe and the Baroness Williamson about the Tory response to the King's Speech last night and they concur with your revisions to the same."
While a viscountess or a baroness suo jure (in her own right) may be correctly referred to as "Viscountess X" or "Baroness X", as well as "Lady X", the female spouse of a viscount or baron is always referred to and addressed as "Lady X" and never as "Viscountess X" or "Baroness X".
When coupled with a public office such as a judgeship, the style of a viscount or baron will typically be modified by way of abbreviation as it will be rather inconvenient to employ the rather unwieldy full style. For example, a peer whose full style is Lord Justice of the High Court The Right Honourable Edward Andrew Sullivan, KC, KGCA, PC, Baron Twinings of Worth Matravers in the County of Kingstonshire would typically be styled Lord Justice of the High Court the Rt. Hon. the Lord Twinings of Worth Matravers.
KNIGHTS AND DAMES
A male subject who has been enrolled in an order of chivalry at the rank of knight or higher is entitled to the style "Sir" and a female so honoured is entitled to the style "Dame".
In full, "Sir John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres)" or "Dame Victoria Williamson, (post-nominal lettres)". In conversation, the surname is dropped,
For example: "Good evening, Sir John. Good evening, Dame Victoria. Lord and Lady Roxburghe have asked me to invite you to join them in a glass of port at their table."
The female spouse of a knight is entitled to the style "Lady", followed by her husband's surname,
For example: "Good morning, Lady Smythe. Will Sir John be joining you for breakfast?"
Furthermore, the wife of a knight does not use the style "lady" to precede her first name. Therefore she would not be called, for example, "Lady Margaret Smythe", but rather, "Margaret, Lady Smythe". Finally, "The" is never employed for the wife of a knight. She is never, therefore, "The Lady Smythe", but only and always, simply, "Lady Smythe".
THE LORDS SPIRITUAL OF THE REALM
The Lord Bishop of Kells
In full, "His Lordship, the Right Reverend Doctor John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Lord Bishop of Kells"
Bishops of the Church of Hanover are correctly addressed in conversation as "Your Lordship" or as "My Lord Bishop" in more formal settings. The situation of the incumbent bishop of Kells is exceptional, however. See the entry for the Marquess of Mountcastle in the "Peers of the Realm" section, above.
NB: Despite today's common practice, it is not correct, in terms of strict social etiquette, to address an archbishop as "Archbishop" or a bishop as "Bishop".
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Mr. Edgard Portela, MP
Members of Parliament who are not peers (commoners) are entitled to the use of the post-nominal lettres "MP". They are not entitled to the use of "The Honourable" as a style, in the manner of American Members of Congress, a mistake sometimes made.
In conversation: "Mr. Portela"
FOREIGN HEADS OF STATE
The President of the United States
This is a tricky one insofar as a number of Hanoverians are American and so, for many of us, the President of the United States is not a foreign head of state.
Domestically speaking, the President of the United States is always correctly referred to simply as "The President". Place cards at table are so written, and envelopes are so addressed. Foreign correspondence addressed to the President would be another matter, however. A foreigner writing the President would address the envelope to "The President of the United States". It would never be correct, strictly speaking, to address an envelope to "President Barack H. Obama". This would be the style of a former president, although in the case of a former president, the style "The Honorable" coupled with his full name might be more appropriate. For example:
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
1994 Park Avenue, Suite 12
New York, New York 10021
Note that in the United States of America, "Honorable" is spelled as such, omitting the "u".
In the cases of both incumbent and former presidents, initiate conversation with "Mr. President", then use "Sir" thereafter. One should never address the President as "President Obama" or as "Mr. Obama". The same holds true for former presidents. The fact that these errors are often seen or heard does not justify their use, in terms of correct social etiquette.
Against the logic of the thing, the President is announced at a social function, not as "The President", but as "The President of the United States". For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States."
When the President is introduced by a speaker following his locution, this formula is used:
"And now ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct privilege and high honor to introduce the President of the United States".
The use of "President of the United States of America"* is almost unheard of and is to be avoided, generally speaking, at least domestically.
The spouse of the President is known as "The First Lady" and is announced as such when she is at an event without her husband. To announce her as "First Lady Michelle Obama" is incorrect, despite the habit of persons doing so. Place cards should be written "The First Lady" and correspondence is correctly addressed to "The First Lady" or to "The First Lady of the Land". "The First Lady of the United States" is not correct; no such title exists. It is correct, if not preferable, to address an envelope to "Mrs. Barack H. Obama" but never to "Mrs. Michelle Obama". When the First Lady accompanies her husband at a social event, she is announced using her husband's surname. For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States and Mrs. Obama."
In the United States, the consort of the President is never addressed as "Madame Obama", as is the case with presidential consorts in certain other countries. In conversation, however, she is correctly addressed as "Madame First Lady", and then as "Ma'am" thereafter.
The President's family is called "The First Family", however the President's children are addressed only by their names using "Miss".
*The use of "President of the United States of America" is, for the most part, exclusively reserved for use on official presidential parchments and instruments, such as presidential proclamations, executive orders, and the like.
The Pope
The Pope is the Sovereign both of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State and is properly referred to as "His Holiness the Pope". Envelopes are addressed to him in that fashion and place cards are so written. He is also properly announced as such at a social event. For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, His Holiness the Pope."
Open letters and initiate conversation with "Most Holy Father", then use "Your Holiness", thereafter. It is not correct to substitute "Sir" for "Your Holiness" as the conversation continues.
The President of Cambria
According to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Cambria, the Head of State is correctly styled "President of Cambria" and not "President of the Commonwealth of Cambria". In full, the Cambrian presidential style is "His Excellency, the Right Honourable A. B., President of Cambria", and envelopes should be addressed to him as such.
Open letters and initiate conversation with "Your Excellency", substituting "Sir" thereafter, as the letter or conversation continues. In conversation, always replace "you" with "Your Excellency" and "yours" with "Your Excellency's".
For example: "Your Excellency, good morning. I have the honour, Sir, to present Your Excellency with these Letters of Credence from His Majesty the King. Your Excellency's government has shown me nothing but the greatest of courtesies ever since my arrival in the capital."
NB: At present, the Cambrian presidential office is unoccupied as elections have not yet been called. The provisional head of government at the present moment is the Honourable John Casement, styled "Provisional Senator".
In the case of Senator Casement, envelopes should be addressed to "The Honourable John Casement, Provisional Senator". Open your letter with "Dear Senator Casement" and initiate conversation with "Senator Casement", substituting "Senator" thereafter.
Q&A
What is the difference between a peerage rank and a peerage title?
With respect to dukes, marquesses, and counts, the title itself is the name following the preposition "of", and the rank precedes it. The Duke of Harburg, therefore, holds the rank of duke, but is titled "Harburg". In the case of viscounts and barons, however, the preposition "of" is dispensed with. The Baron Tillinghast of Newberry, therefore, holds the rank of baron and the title "Tillinghast of Newberry".
What is a "style"?
By the term "style" is typically meant the combination of one's rank and title, along with one's name and any and all other legitimate embellishments thereto. For example, Lord Damoniegh's simple style is "The Count of Damoniegh". Then there is his full style: "The Right Honourable Daniel Dreesbach, PC, Count of Damoniegh."
What ranks exist in the Hanoverian Peerage?
The ranks of duke, marquess (or marquis), earl (or count), viscount, and baron are the recognized ranks of the Peerage within the Kingdom of Hanover. The ranks of marquess and earl are, in the Hanoverian Peerage, interchangeable with their equivalent continental ranks "marquis" and "count", respectively.
How do I know who is "Honourable", who is "Right Honourable", and who is "Most Honourable"?
The younger sons of peers are entitled to employ "The Honourable" before their names, as are certain judges. The use of "The Right Honourable" is given to peers and peeresses below the rank of Marquess and to members of the Privy Council. The Privy Council, as a body, is "Most Honourable", and marquesses/marquises and marchionesses are also "Most Honourable". A duke, incidentally, is "Most Noble".
What are the feminine forms of the ranks of the Hanoverian Peerage?
The feminine forms of the ranks are, in order:
Duchess
Marchioness
Countess
Viscountess
Baroness
The wife of a peer or a female who is a peer in her own right is known as a "peeress".
These forms are employed by the wives of male peers as well as by peeresses suo jure (in their own right).
What do I call the husband of a peeress?
Although female spouses of male peers share the styles of their husbands, the male spouses of peeresses do not share in the ranks and titles of their wives, and therefore may employ no style that implies otherwise.
Is it correct to address in conversation all peers and peeresses below the rank of duke or duchess as "Your Lordship" or "Your Ladyship"?
This is a question without an absolutely certain answer. Some sources insist that only peers at the rank of marquess or marchioness are entitled to be so addressed, whereas others allow these forms for all peers and peeresses below the rank of duke or duchess. As the matter has yet to be resolved with respect to the Hanoverian peerage, however, there is nothing to prohibit the use of this form for any peer or peeress beneath the rank of duke or duchess.
One should take care when using "Your Lordship/Ladyship", however, as it is generally considered better etiquette to address peers below the rank of marquess as "Lord Smythe" or "Lady Peterborough", and so to opt, instead, for "Lordship/Ladyship", might betray a lack of social refinement on the user's part. A peer or peeress should never address another peer or peeress as "Your Lordship/Ladyship" but should always say "Lord Smythe/Lady Peterborough".
Is the surname of a peer correctly employed in his full style?
This seems to be another matter that is open to interpretation, although some would insist that to leave off the use of the surname shows better form. It is, however, a matter of personal preference. For example, a count whose full name is Lewis Antony Michael Smythe might be styled either "The Right Honourable Lewis Antony Michael, KCA, Earl of Archester" or "The Right Honourable Lewis Antony Michael Smythe, KCA, Earl of Archester".
Does the name of the county in the style of a viscount or baron make up a part of his title?
No. It is part of his full style, but it is not a part of his title. A peer whose full style is The Right Honourable Nelson Marmaduke Montcalm, VC, DSO, MC, 8th Baron Montcalm of Choate in the County of Tallishire, for example, has, as his title, "Montcalm of Choate". The addition of the name of the county following his title augments his style, but is not part of his title.
Where is a subject's military rank listed in his full style?
It is listed first. For example:
Major General The Right Honourable Charles Henry Cloverfield, KCA, KG, 12th Viscount Cloverfield of Blessington in the County of Stratfordshire
The same would hold true with respect to a public office, for example:
Lord Lieutenant The Right Honourable Leslie Arthur Cavendish-Howe, KGCA, PC, JP, 5th Viscount Howe of Lewiston in the County of Talbotshire
If a subject holds both a military rank and a public office, the public office comes first. For example:
Lord Steward of the Realm Admiral of the Fleet His Royal Highness the Duke of Connacht, KGCB, PC
How does one address the Prime Minister?
He is correctly addressed in conversation simply as "Prime Minister", and is announced equally succinctly as "The Prime Minister" at social functions (his place card would read likewise). "Mr. Prime Minister" is never correct, although he might be informally referred to by his office combined with his surname,
For example: "Prime Minister Smythe met with President Sarkozy at 1000 Hollister Street this morning."
The Prime Minister is customarily a Privy Counsellor, and as such is styled "The Right Honourable".
Are Peers of the Realm entitled to wear any special costume?
Yes. Peers and peeresses are entitled to wear coronets and robes indicative of their ranks. While there are at present no strict guidelines that define the form that such costumes ought to take, it is generally imagined that they would more or less imitate the coronets and robes worn by peers and peeresses of the United Kingdom. The robes are typically cape or mantle-like robes of red velvet lined with satin and trimmed with white ermine. The robes feature shoulder capes made of white ermine, spotted with "doublets": rows of spots which indicate the rank of the wearer. The shoulder capes of barons feature two rows, those of viscounts have two and one half rows, those of counts three, of marquesses three and one half, and those of dukes have four rows.
In addition to the robe, a peer is also entitled to wear a coronet, which is similar to a crown. Each rank of the peerage has a unique style of coronet.
For an image of peers with robes and coronets of the various ranks, click the link, below:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http...s%3Disch:1
Peeresses, too, wear robes, but of a more feminine form. Their coronets are typically miniatures, perched atop the head.
Needless to say, such costumes are highly cost-prohibitive (even for British peers, many of whom hire their robes when the occasion demands their use) and so Hanoverian and Sconnish peers--if they bother to use them at all--will almost certainly don inexpensive costume-quality robes:
http://sites.google.com/site/roxburgheyork/home
In the United Kingdom, peers and peeresses suo jure wear another form of robe called the "parliamentary robe" when sitting in the House of Lords on ceremonial occasions. No such costume is imagined for Glennish peers, however, as they do not actually "sit" in Parliament, but participate via this discussion board, thereby rendering a separate parliamentary robe quite unnecessary.
That a Glennish peer should invest in even one robe, let alone two, would be a thing remarkable. As of this writing, only HM the King, HRH the Duke of Gottingen, HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Garrett, and His Lordship the Marquess of Mountcastle are actually known to possess ceremonial robes peculiar to their ranks. They use their robes strictly for photographs. Only the Marquess of Mountcastle is known to actually possess a coronet.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
If you have a question pertaining to social etiquette or to the use of styles and titles as they pertain to Hanover and Sconeland, I invite you to post those questions on this thread, where they will be cheerfully answered.
Welcome to our posting board, at any rate. On these forums, you may encounter any number of His Majesty's loyal subjects, some more frequently than others.
Perhaps more often than not, the individuals you encounter on this board will hold some interesting ranks or titles, some of which you may be unfamiliar with. Glennain, as you've surely gathered, is a monarchy. And in addition to royalty, Glennain boasts aristocrats, Great Officers of State, ecclesiastical prelates, politicians...and even a bartender.
You maybe wondering how to correctly address the people you encounter here. This brief guide to social etiquette will help you get it right...
THE SOVEREIGN
Styles and Titles in full:
James the Second, by the Grace of God of Hanover, Sconeland, and Cambria King, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith
His Majesty King James II is our currently reigning monarch. You will rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to interact with our Sovereign in the public forums, but should you happen to find yourself in the Royal Presence, here are a few tips:
1. When you first address the King, call him "Your Majesty" (never "Your Royal Majesty", "Your Royal Highness", "Your Highness" or anything else*). As the audience continues, you may simply address him as "Sir" (not "Sire"), however, always replace "you" with "Your Majesty" and "yours" with "Your Majesty's".
For example: "Your Majesty, good morning. I have in hand, Sir, the grammatical revisions to the Throne Speech that Your Majesty suggested. Your Majesty's suggestions will be sent, Sir, to the Prime Minister for his review in time for the State Opening of Parliament."
2. Almost counterintuitively, letters addressed to the Sovereign open with "Sir", not with "Your Majesty", a common mistake. Close your letter with, "I have the honour to be Your Majesty's Most Obedient Servant, (signature)".
3. Never be casual or flippent during an exchange with the Sovereign; always take care to be profoundly reverent and respectful. Avoid political topics when conversing with His Majesty. The Sovereign transcends party politics and one should never risk compromising the monarch's neutrality by introducing political topics in the course of conversation.
4. Domestically, His Majesty the King is just that: "His Majesty the King". It is generally incorrect to refer to the Sovereign as "King James II" or "The King of Hanover" or "The King of Sconeland", &c. He should be referred to simply as, "The King" or "His Majesty the King". This is true even when His Majesty is mentioned along with other kings,
For example, in a caption: Pictured left to right in this photograph: King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, His Majesty the King, King Haakon of Norway, and King George V Tupou of Tonga.
As an exception to this rule, however, the King's name is used when he is prayed for during public worship services.
For example: "We ask Thy blessings upon Thy servant, our sovereign lord King James, whom Thou hast..."
5. When offering the loyal toast, the host raises his glass to eye level using the very simple forumla: "The King." All respond, "The King", while likewise raising their glasses. Glasses are never "clinked".
The use of "His Majesty, James II", omitting "King", is appallingly incorrect in any case.
*There are situations in which more formal styles are employed, such as "Most Excellent Majesty" or "His Glennannic Majesty" but these forms are not used outside of those unique situations.
THE ROYAL FAMILY
HRH The Duchess of Modena
The honoured mother of His Majesty the King is addressed in conversation at first as "Your Royal Highness", and as "Ma'am" thereafter.
HRH The Princess Chasity, Duchess of Guelph
A Princess of the Blood Royal, HRH the Duchess of Guelph is the sister of His Majesty the King and, rather exceptionally, holds the peerage rank and title "Duchess of Guelph" in her own right. She is commonly referred to as "HRH the Duchess of Guelph".
Initiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", then use "Ma'am", thereafter.
HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Richard Garrett
Originally a Princess of the Blood Royal and formerly the Duchess (suo jure) of Claremont, HRH is the sister of Hanover's first king. She was honoured by His Majesty King James II with the restoration of her former style of "HRH" in the year 2010. "The" is not included between "HRH" and "Princess" as Her Royal Highness is neither the daughter nor the sister of the Monarch.
Inititiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", then use "Ma'am", thereafter. "Mrs. Garrett" is never correct, and conversely, "Your Royal Highness" must never be used to address Mr. Garrett: husbands do not enjoy the use of the styles of their wives. Mr. Richard Garrett, therefore, is correctly addressed simply as "Mr. Garrett".
Mr. Richard Garrett
The husband of HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Richard Garrett holds no style or title apart from that of "Mr. Garrett" and is addressed as such in conversation.
PEERS OF THE REALM
HRH The Duke of Gottingen
Dukes are typically addressed in conversation as "Your Grace", or simply as "Duke" (by other peers). Letters open with "My Lord Duke". In the case of the Duke of Gottingen, however, "Your Royal Highness" is used as he is a royal duke. "Lord Gottingen" is never correct. Only peers below the rank of Duke are addressed as "Lord (Title)". Initiate conversation with "Your Royal Highness", after which you may simply call him "Sir".
Dukes are always the "Duke of", incidentally, and it is always incorrect to omit "of". A duke, therefore, is always the "Duke of Somethington" and never "Duke Somethington".
Although a "Royal Highness", the Duke of Gottingen is not a member of the Royal Family, as one might suppose. As our former king, the Duke was granted the style "Royal Highness" by the King following the former's abdication, to honour his august status.
HRH The Duchess of Gottingen
The wife of HRH the Duke of Gottingen is addressed in conversation first as "Your Royal Highness," and subsequently as "Ma'am".
The Marquess of Mountcastle
Style and titles in full: Lord Bishop of Kells His Lordship The Most Honourable James Richard Edward George (Marchmain), Marquess of Mountcastle, Earl of Lewiston, Viscount Marchmain of Kells, Baron Murchadha of Blessington.
In conversation, the Marquess of Mountcastle may be addressed either as "Lord Mountcastle" or "Your Lordship". It is never correct to address him as "Marquess". Only a duke is so addressed by his rank, and then, only by his fellow peers. Although Lord Mountcastle is also a bishop of the Church of Hanover, his peerage rank is superior to his ecclesiastical rank, and so he should not be addressed in the manner of a bishop, but in the manner of a marquess. He is never, for example, "Bishop Mountcastle" or "Bishop Marchmain".
The Count of Damoneigh
Styles and Titles in full: The Right Honourable* Daniel Dreesbach, PC, Count of Damoneigh
In conversation, the Count of Damoneigh may be addressed as "Lord Damoneigh". "Your Lordship" is also acceptable, if less usual. It is incorrect to address him as "Count", "Count Damoneigh", "Lord Dreesbach", or "Lord Daniel". A peer (below the rank of duke) is "Daniel Lord Damoneigh", and not "Lord Daniel Damoneigh". The reverse is true of a courtesy peer (the son of a peer entitled by courtesy to use one of his father's subsidiary titles). A courtesy peer is, in fact, a commoner.
*Such styles are frequently abbreviated: 'Right Honourable' as 'Rt. Hon.', 'Right Reverend' as 'Rt. Rev.', 'Most Reverend' as 'Most Rev.', 'Venerable' as 'Ven.', &c. Older modes of abbreviation include 'Hon'ble', 'Rev'd', 'Ven'able' and so forth, but these are generally considered outdated modes of abbreviation and the contemporary modes should generally be preferred.
Viscounts and Barons
Whereas in the case of a duke, a marquess, or a count, the preposition "of" is always included between the rank and title, such is not typically the case with respect to viscounts and barons. The title of a viscount or a baron, which is typically his surname, is expressed immediately after his rank. The full style of a baron or a viscount will usually include the county from which he hails (or whence his title is derived),
For example: The Right Honourable John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Viscount Smythe of Thaxton in the County of St. Edward's.
When the surname of a viscount or a baron is not also his title, his title will typically reflect a physical place. This will typically occur when two peers having the same surname share the same rank. As there cannot be two Viscounts Smythe, for example, the second Smythe created a viscount will be given a title that is not his name:
The Right Honourable Archibald Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Viscount Peterborough of Reade in the County of Angleshire.
In conversation, a viscount or a baron is addressed by the first part of his title with the style "lord". Therefore Viscount Smythe of Thaxton is addressed conversationally as "Lord Smythe" and Viscount Peterborough of Reade is addressed as "Lord Peterborough". It is perfectly correct, however, to refer to viscounts or barons by their ranks and titles, as such. The same, of course, goes for viscountesses or baronesses suo jure (who hold the title in their own right, as opposed to sharing their spouses' titles).
For example: "Good morning, Lord Peterborough. I spoke with the Viscount Smythe and the Baroness Williamson about the Tory response to the King's Speech last night and they concur with your revisions to the same."
While a viscountess or a baroness suo jure (in her own right) may be correctly referred to as "Viscountess X" or "Baroness X", as well as "Lady X", the female spouse of a viscount or baron is always referred to and addressed as "Lady X" and never as "Viscountess X" or "Baroness X".
When coupled with a public office such as a judgeship, the style of a viscount or baron will typically be modified by way of abbreviation as it will be rather inconvenient to employ the rather unwieldy full style. For example, a peer whose full style is Lord Justice of the High Court The Right Honourable Edward Andrew Sullivan, KC, KGCA, PC, Baron Twinings of Worth Matravers in the County of Kingstonshire would typically be styled Lord Justice of the High Court the Rt. Hon. the Lord Twinings of Worth Matravers.
KNIGHTS AND DAMES
A male subject who has been enrolled in an order of chivalry at the rank of knight or higher is entitled to the style "Sir" and a female so honoured is entitled to the style "Dame".
In full, "Sir John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres)" or "Dame Victoria Williamson, (post-nominal lettres)". In conversation, the surname is dropped,
For example: "Good evening, Sir John. Good evening, Dame Victoria. Lord and Lady Roxburghe have asked me to invite you to join them in a glass of port at their table."
The female spouse of a knight is entitled to the style "Lady", followed by her husband's surname,
For example: "Good morning, Lady Smythe. Will Sir John be joining you for breakfast?"
Furthermore, the wife of a knight does not use the style "lady" to precede her first name. Therefore she would not be called, for example, "Lady Margaret Smythe", but rather, "Margaret, Lady Smythe". Finally, "The" is never employed for the wife of a knight. She is never, therefore, "The Lady Smythe", but only and always, simply, "Lady Smythe".
THE LORDS SPIRITUAL OF THE REALM
The Lord Bishop of Kells
In full, "His Lordship, the Right Reverend Doctor John Smythe, (post-nominal lettres), Lord Bishop of Kells"
Bishops of the Church of Hanover are correctly addressed in conversation as "Your Lordship" or as "My Lord Bishop" in more formal settings. The situation of the incumbent bishop of Kells is exceptional, however. See the entry for the Marquess of Mountcastle in the "Peers of the Realm" section, above.
NB: Despite today's common practice, it is not correct, in terms of strict social etiquette, to address an archbishop as "Archbishop" or a bishop as "Bishop".
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
Mr. Edgard Portela, MP
Members of Parliament who are not peers (commoners) are entitled to the use of the post-nominal lettres "MP". They are not entitled to the use of "The Honourable" as a style, in the manner of American Members of Congress, a mistake sometimes made.
In conversation: "Mr. Portela"
FOREIGN HEADS OF STATE
The President of the United States
This is a tricky one insofar as a number of Hanoverians are American and so, for many of us, the President of the United States is not a foreign head of state.
Domestically speaking, the President of the United States is always correctly referred to simply as "The President". Place cards at table are so written, and envelopes are so addressed. Foreign correspondence addressed to the President would be another matter, however. A foreigner writing the President would address the envelope to "The President of the United States". It would never be correct, strictly speaking, to address an envelope to "President Barack H. Obama". This would be the style of a former president, although in the case of a former president, the style "The Honorable" coupled with his full name might be more appropriate. For example:
The Honorable William Jefferson Clinton
1994 Park Avenue, Suite 12
New York, New York 10021
Note that in the United States of America, "Honorable" is spelled as such, omitting the "u".
In the cases of both incumbent and former presidents, initiate conversation with "Mr. President", then use "Sir" thereafter. One should never address the President as "President Obama" or as "Mr. Obama". The same holds true for former presidents. The fact that these errors are often seen or heard does not justify their use, in terms of correct social etiquette.
Against the logic of the thing, the President is announced at a social function, not as "The President", but as "The President of the United States". For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States."
When the President is introduced by a speaker following his locution, this formula is used:
"And now ladies and gentlemen, it is my distinct privilege and high honor to introduce the President of the United States".
The use of "President of the United States of America"* is almost unheard of and is to be avoided, generally speaking, at least domestically.
The spouse of the President is known as "The First Lady" and is announced as such when she is at an event without her husband. To announce her as "First Lady Michelle Obama" is incorrect, despite the habit of persons doing so. Place cards should be written "The First Lady" and correspondence is correctly addressed to "The First Lady" or to "The First Lady of the Land". "The First Lady of the United States" is not correct; no such title exists. It is correct, if not preferable, to address an envelope to "Mrs. Barack H. Obama" but never to "Mrs. Michelle Obama". When the First Lady accompanies her husband at a social event, she is announced using her husband's surname. For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States and Mrs. Obama."
In the United States, the consort of the President is never addressed as "Madame Obama", as is the case with presidential consorts in certain other countries. In conversation, however, she is correctly addressed as "Madame First Lady", and then as "Ma'am" thereafter.
The President's family is called "The First Family", however the President's children are addressed only by their names using "Miss".
*The use of "President of the United States of America" is, for the most part, exclusively reserved for use on official presidential parchments and instruments, such as presidential proclamations, executive orders, and the like.
The Pope
The Pope is the Sovereign both of the Holy See and of the Vatican City State and is properly referred to as "His Holiness the Pope". Envelopes are addressed to him in that fashion and place cards are so written. He is also properly announced as such at a social event. For example:
"Ladies and Gentlemen, His Holiness the Pope."
Open letters and initiate conversation with "Most Holy Father", then use "Your Holiness", thereafter. It is not correct to substitute "Sir" for "Your Holiness" as the conversation continues.
The President of Cambria
According to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Cambria, the Head of State is correctly styled "President of Cambria" and not "President of the Commonwealth of Cambria". In full, the Cambrian presidential style is "His Excellency, the Right Honourable A. B., President of Cambria", and envelopes should be addressed to him as such.
Open letters and initiate conversation with "Your Excellency", substituting "Sir" thereafter, as the letter or conversation continues. In conversation, always replace "you" with "Your Excellency" and "yours" with "Your Excellency's".
For example: "Your Excellency, good morning. I have the honour, Sir, to present Your Excellency with these Letters of Credence from His Majesty the King. Your Excellency's government has shown me nothing but the greatest of courtesies ever since my arrival in the capital."
NB: At present, the Cambrian presidential office is unoccupied as elections have not yet been called. The provisional head of government at the present moment is the Honourable John Casement, styled "Provisional Senator".
In the case of Senator Casement, envelopes should be addressed to "The Honourable John Casement, Provisional Senator". Open your letter with "Dear Senator Casement" and initiate conversation with "Senator Casement", substituting "Senator" thereafter.
Q&A
What is the difference between a peerage rank and a peerage title?
With respect to dukes, marquesses, and counts, the title itself is the name following the preposition "of", and the rank precedes it. The Duke of Harburg, therefore, holds the rank of duke, but is titled "Harburg". In the case of viscounts and barons, however, the preposition "of" is dispensed with. The Baron Tillinghast of Newberry, therefore, holds the rank of baron and the title "Tillinghast of Newberry".
What is a "style"?
By the term "style" is typically meant the combination of one's rank and title, along with one's name and any and all other legitimate embellishments thereto. For example, Lord Damoniegh's simple style is "The Count of Damoniegh". Then there is his full style: "The Right Honourable Daniel Dreesbach, PC, Count of Damoniegh."
What ranks exist in the Hanoverian Peerage?
The ranks of duke, marquess (or marquis), earl (or count), viscount, and baron are the recognized ranks of the Peerage within the Kingdom of Hanover. The ranks of marquess and earl are, in the Hanoverian Peerage, interchangeable with their equivalent continental ranks "marquis" and "count", respectively.
How do I know who is "Honourable", who is "Right Honourable", and who is "Most Honourable"?
The younger sons of peers are entitled to employ "The Honourable" before their names, as are certain judges. The use of "The Right Honourable" is given to peers and peeresses below the rank of Marquess and to members of the Privy Council. The Privy Council, as a body, is "Most Honourable", and marquesses/marquises and marchionesses are also "Most Honourable". A duke, incidentally, is "Most Noble".
What are the feminine forms of the ranks of the Hanoverian Peerage?
The feminine forms of the ranks are, in order:
Duchess
Marchioness
Countess
Viscountess
Baroness
The wife of a peer or a female who is a peer in her own right is known as a "peeress".
These forms are employed by the wives of male peers as well as by peeresses suo jure (in their own right).
What do I call the husband of a peeress?
Although female spouses of male peers share the styles of their husbands, the male spouses of peeresses do not share in the ranks and titles of their wives, and therefore may employ no style that implies otherwise.
Is it correct to address in conversation all peers and peeresses below the rank of duke or duchess as "Your Lordship" or "Your Ladyship"?
This is a question without an absolutely certain answer. Some sources insist that only peers at the rank of marquess or marchioness are entitled to be so addressed, whereas others allow these forms for all peers and peeresses below the rank of duke or duchess. As the matter has yet to be resolved with respect to the Hanoverian peerage, however, there is nothing to prohibit the use of this form for any peer or peeress beneath the rank of duke or duchess.
One should take care when using "Your Lordship/Ladyship", however, as it is generally considered better etiquette to address peers below the rank of marquess as "Lord Smythe" or "Lady Peterborough", and so to opt, instead, for "Lordship/Ladyship", might betray a lack of social refinement on the user's part. A peer or peeress should never address another peer or peeress as "Your Lordship/Ladyship" but should always say "Lord Smythe/Lady Peterborough".
Is the surname of a peer correctly employed in his full style?
This seems to be another matter that is open to interpretation, although some would insist that to leave off the use of the surname shows better form. It is, however, a matter of personal preference. For example, a count whose full name is Lewis Antony Michael Smythe might be styled either "The Right Honourable Lewis Antony Michael, KCA, Earl of Archester" or "The Right Honourable Lewis Antony Michael Smythe, KCA, Earl of Archester".
Does the name of the county in the style of a viscount or baron make up a part of his title?
No. It is part of his full style, but it is not a part of his title. A peer whose full style is The Right Honourable Nelson Marmaduke Montcalm, VC, DSO, MC, 8th Baron Montcalm of Choate in the County of Tallishire, for example, has, as his title, "Montcalm of Choate". The addition of the name of the county following his title augments his style, but is not part of his title.
Where is a subject's military rank listed in his full style?
It is listed first. For example:
Major General The Right Honourable Charles Henry Cloverfield, KCA, KG, 12th Viscount Cloverfield of Blessington in the County of Stratfordshire
The same would hold true with respect to a public office, for example:
Lord Lieutenant The Right Honourable Leslie Arthur Cavendish-Howe, KGCA, PC, JP, 5th Viscount Howe of Lewiston in the County of Talbotshire
If a subject holds both a military rank and a public office, the public office comes first. For example:
Lord Steward of the Realm Admiral of the Fleet His Royal Highness the Duke of Connacht, KGCB, PC
How does one address the Prime Minister?
He is correctly addressed in conversation simply as "Prime Minister", and is announced equally succinctly as "The Prime Minister" at social functions (his place card would read likewise). "Mr. Prime Minister" is never correct, although he might be informally referred to by his office combined with his surname,
For example: "Prime Minister Smythe met with President Sarkozy at 1000 Hollister Street this morning."
The Prime Minister is customarily a Privy Counsellor, and as such is styled "The Right Honourable".
Are Peers of the Realm entitled to wear any special costume?
Yes. Peers and peeresses are entitled to wear coronets and robes indicative of their ranks. While there are at present no strict guidelines that define the form that such costumes ought to take, it is generally imagined that they would more or less imitate the coronets and robes worn by peers and peeresses of the United Kingdom. The robes are typically cape or mantle-like robes of red velvet lined with satin and trimmed with white ermine. The robes feature shoulder capes made of white ermine, spotted with "doublets": rows of spots which indicate the rank of the wearer. The shoulder capes of barons feature two rows, those of viscounts have two and one half rows, those of counts three, of marquesses three and one half, and those of dukes have four rows.
In addition to the robe, a peer is also entitled to wear a coronet, which is similar to a crown. Each rank of the peerage has a unique style of coronet.
For an image of peers with robes and coronets of the various ranks, click the link, below:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http...s%3Disch:1
Peeresses, too, wear robes, but of a more feminine form. Their coronets are typically miniatures, perched atop the head.
Needless to say, such costumes are highly cost-prohibitive (even for British peers, many of whom hire their robes when the occasion demands their use) and so Hanoverian and Sconnish peers--if they bother to use them at all--will almost certainly don inexpensive costume-quality robes:
http://sites.google.com/site/roxburgheyork/home
In the United Kingdom, peers and peeresses suo jure wear another form of robe called the "parliamentary robe" when sitting in the House of Lords on ceremonial occasions. No such costume is imagined for Glennish peers, however, as they do not actually "sit" in Parliament, but participate via this discussion board, thereby rendering a separate parliamentary robe quite unnecessary.
That a Glennish peer should invest in even one robe, let alone two, would be a thing remarkable. As of this writing, only HM the King, HRH the Duke of Gottingen, HRH Princess Shannon Alexandra, Mrs. Garrett, and His Lordship the Marquess of Mountcastle are actually known to possess ceremonial robes peculiar to their ranks. They use their robes strictly for photographs. Only the Marquess of Mountcastle is known to actually possess a coronet.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
If you have a question pertaining to social etiquette or to the use of styles and titles as they pertain to Hanover and Sconeland, I invite you to post those questions on this thread, where they will be cheerfully answered.