Forms of address
General examples of addressing or referring in speech to titled and official persons
| Title | How referred to | Salutation in correspondence |
How addressed |
| The Queen | Her Majesty The Queen | Your Majesty | First and last meeting each day – “Your Majesty” otherwise “Ma’am” |
| A Royal Duke | His Royal Highness The Duke of ……….. | Your Royal Highness | First and last meeting each day - “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Sir” |
| A Prince | His Royal Highness (The) Prince……… | Your Royal Highness | First and last meeting each day - “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Sir” |
| A Princess | Her Royal Highness (The) Princess ..……… | Your Royal Highness | First and last meeting each day “Your Royal Highness” otherwise “Ma’am” |
| Governor-General | His/Her Excellency the Governor-General or His/Her Excellency Sir………. or Mr/Mrs ……………. | Your Excellency | First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Sir” or "Ma'am" |
| Wife of Governor-General | Her Excellency Lady…… or Mrs …………….. | Your Excellency | First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Ma’am” |
| Governor of State |
His/Her Excellency The Governor or His/Her Excellency Sir/Mr/Mrs… |
Your Excellency | First and last meeting each day “Your Excellency” otherwise “Sir” or “Ma’am” |
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On presentation to the persons listed above it is customary for gentlemen to bow and for ladies to curtsey. Note that the pronunciation of “Ma’am” rhymes with “Pam” and NOT “Palm”
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Wife of State Governor |
Private Title Lady…… or Mrs………. |
Dear Lady………. or Mrs……………. |
No title as wife of Governor, and not “Your Excellency”. Use private title only. |
|
Duke |
The Duke of …………… |
My Lord Duke |
“Your Grace” |
|
Duchess |
The Duchess of ………… |
Dear Duchess |
“Your Grace” |
|
Marquess |
The Marquess of………… |
Dear Lord ……………….. |
Lord ……………… |
|
Marchioness |
The Marchioness of …….. |
Dear Lady ……………….. |
Lady ……………… |
|
Earl |
The Earl of ………………. |
Dear Lord ……………….. |
Lord ……………… |
|
Countess |
The Countess of ………… |
Dear Lady ……………….. |
Lady ……………… |
|
Viscount |
The Viscount ……………. |
Dear Lord ………………... |
Lord ……………… |
|
Viscountess |
The Viscountess of ……... |
Dear Lady ……………….. |
Lady ……………… |
|
Baron |
Lord …………………. |
Dear Lord ……………….. |
Lord ………………. |
|
Baroness |
Lady ………………… |
Dear Lady ………………. |
Lady ………………. |
|
Baronet |
Sir John Brown |
Dear Sir John |
Sir John or “Sir” |
|
Wife of Baronet |
Lady Brown |
Dear Lady Brown |
Lady Brown |
|
Knight |
Sir Frederick Brown |
Dear Sir Frederick |
Sir Frederick or “Sir” |
|
Wife of Knight |
Lady Brown |
Dear Lady Brown |
Lady Brown |
|
Prime Minister |
The Honourable the Prime Minister |
Dear Prime Minister |
Prime Minister or “Sir” or “Mr./Mrs./Ms…...” |
|
Premier of State |
The Honourable the Premier |
Dear Premier |
Premier or “Sir” or “Mr./Mrs./Ms…….” |
|
Minister of the Crown Federal or State |
The Honourable the Minister for ………….. |
Dear Minister |
Minister or “Sir” or “Mr./Mrs./Ms…….” |
|
Judge of the High or Supreme Court |
The Honourable (Mr.) Justice …………….. |
Dear Justice |
“Your Honour” or “Sir” or “Judge …………..” |
|
Judge of the Industrial Relations Commission |
The Honourable (Mr.) Justice …………….. |
Dear Judge |
“Your Honour” or “Sir” or “Judge …………..” |
|
Judge of the County Court |
His/Her Honour Judge |
Dear Judge |
“Your Honour” or “Judge ………….” |
|
Ambassador |
His/Her Excellency the Ambassador of ……… |
Your Excellency |
“Your Excellency”, “Mr./Madam Ambassador” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
High Commissioner |
His/Her Excellency the High Commissioner for ………… |
Your Excellency |
“Your Excellency”, “Mr./Madam High Commissioner” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
Career Consuls-General |
The Consul-General of ….. |
Dear Consul-General |
“Consul-General” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
Honorary Consuls-General |
The Consul-General of ….. |
Dear Consul-General |
“Consul-General” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
Career Consuls |
The Consul of ………….. |
Dear Consul |
“Consul” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
Honorary Consuls |
The Consul of ………….. |
Dear Consul |
“Consul” or “Sir” or “Mrs./Ms.” |
|
Archbishop |
Church of England The Most Reverend the Archbishop of Melbourne Roman Catholic The Most Reverend the Archbishop of Melbourne |
Dear Archbishop
My Lord Archbishop |
“Your Grace”
“Your Grace” |
|
Bishop |
Church of England The Right Reverend the Bishop of …………… Roman Catholic The Most Reverend …………………… |
Dear Bishop
My Lord |
“Bishop…………”
“My Lord” |
|
Dean |
Church of England The Very Reverend the Dean of …………….. |
Dear Dean |
“Dean Jones” or “Dean” |
|
Lord Mayor |
The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of …………………… |
Dear Lord Mayor |
“Lord Mayor” |
|
Wife of Lord Mayor |
The Lady Mayoress of ……………………. |
Dear Lady Mayoress |
“Lady Mayoress” |
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Mayor, if a man |
The Mayor of ……………. |
Dear Mr. Mayor |
“Mr. Mayor” or “Sir” |
|
Wife of Mayor |
The Lady Mayoress of …….. |
Dear Lady Mayoress |
“Mayoress” or “Mrs. Smith” |
|
Mayor, if a woman |
The Mayoress |
Dear Madam Mayoress |
“Madam Mayor” |
|
Husband of a Mayor |
Mr …………………….. |
Dear Mr ………………. |
“Mr ………………..” |
|
Municipal Councillor |
Councillor ………………. |
Dear Councillor |
“Councillor Jones” |
Last updated on Tuesday, 02 August 2011