Robert Hickey's Blog on How to Address Diplomats and International Representatives (original) (raw)

ON-LINE GUIDE TO FORMS OF ADDRESS * * * BLOG: Robert HIckey Answers Questions From On-Line Users * * * VIDEO of Robert Hickey * * * About the book: HONOR & RESPECT
Abbess, Christian Orthodox Abbot, Christian Orthodox Accountant Acting Official Adjutant General Admiral, Rear Alderman Archbishop, Catholic Archbishop, Christian Orthodox Archdeacon, Episcopal Archimandrite Architect Archpriest Ambassador to the U.S. from a foreign country Ambassador of the U.S. American Indian Chief Assemblyman U.S., State / or Assemblywoman Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice of a State Supreme Court Attorney Attorney General Attorney, U.S. Australian Officials Baron, Baroness British Officials, Royalty, Nobility Brother, Catholic Brother, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Catholic Bishop, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Episcopal Board Member Boy Brigadier General Canadian Officials Candidate Captain, USA, USAF, USMC Cardinal Chairman Federal Reserve Chaplain in the Armed Services Chaplain of Congress Chargé d’Affaires Chief Executive Officer Chief Judge Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, of a State Supreme Court Chief of Police Chief of Staff Chief Operating Officer Child Clergy & Religious Officials Colonel, "Honorary" Kentucky, or other state/organization Colonel, USA, USAF, or USMC Congressman, U.S. Congresswoman, U.S. Consul and or Consul General Commissioner Corporate Executive Councilman Councilwoman Counselor (Diplomat) Countess Couples Curator Dalai Lama Deacon Dean, academic Dean, clergy Deceased Persons Delegate, U.S., State Dentist Deputy Chief of Mission Deputy Marshal Designate, Elect, Pro Tempore Diplomats District Attorney Doctor of Dentistry Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Osteopathy Doctor, Other Disciplines Doctorate Doctorate, honorary Earl Elect, Designate Pro Tempore Eminence Etiquette Excellency Fiancee First, Second, Third_, etc._ First Lady, Spouse of the President of the United States First Lady, Member of Her White House Staff First Lady, Spouse of a Governor or Lt. Gov. First Lieutenant Flag Protocol Former Officials Freeholder Geshe General USA, USAF, USMC Girl Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Lt., Spouse Governor, Tribal Council Governor, U.S. State Governor, Former Governor Spouse of Governor's Staff, Member of Governors, Board of Honorable, The Honorary degrees Honourable, The Indian Chief Inspector General Introductions Invitations Writing & Addressing Invitations Military: Writing & Addressing Judge of US City or US Count Judge, US Federal Junior, Senior, I, II, III, etc. Justice, Associate Federal Supreme Court Justice, Associate State Supreme Court King Knight Late, The (deceased persons) Lawyer Lieutenant Lieutenant Colonel , USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant General, USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant Governor Major USA, USAF, USMC Major General, USA, USAF, USMC Man, business Man, social Marquess or Marchioness Married Women Marshal for a Judicial District, U.S. Mayor of a U.S. City Medic Minister, Protestant Clergy Miss Monk, Christian Orthodox Monsignor Most Reverend, The Mother Superior Mr. (Social) Mr. (Business) Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. / Couples Ms. Name Tags Nobility, British Nobility, Other Nun, Catholic Nun, Orthodox Nurse Officer, Police Pastor, Christian Clergy Patriarch, Christian Orthodox Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople People with Two Titles Petty Officer Physician PhD Place Cards Police Chief Police Officer Pope, Catholic Pope, Coptic Postmaster General Post-Nominal Abbreviations Presbyter, Orthodox President, corporate President of College or University President of a US State Assembly President (current) of the U.S.A. President (former) of the U.S.A. President of the U.S.A., spouse ofPresident-elect of the U.S. Priest, Catholic Priest, Christian Orthodox Prime Minister Professionals & Academics Professor Pro Tempore, Elect, Designate Queen Rabbi Ranger, Texas Representative, U.S., Federal Representative, U.S., State Resident Commissioner Retired Military1. Formula For How to Address 2. Q&A / Blog On Use of Rank by Retired Military 3. Q&A / Blog on How to Address Retired Military Reverend, The Right Reverend, The School Board Member Second Lieutenant Secretary, U.S. Department, Member of the Cabinet Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary General of the U.N. Senator, U.S., Federal Senator, U.S., State Senator, Canadian Senior, Junior, I, II, III, etc. Senior Judge Sergeant Sergeant at Arms Sheriff Sister, Catholic Solicitor General Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Specialist Spouse of the President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Surgeon General Texas Ranger The Honorable Tribal Officials Two Titles, Person With US Attorney US Federal Officials US State Officials US Municipal Officials Venerable, The Veteran (not Retired) Veterinarian Very Reverend, The Vice President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Vice President-elect of the U.S. Viscount and/or Viscountess Warrant Officer Widow White House Staff Woman, business Woman, social

ON-LINE GUIDE TO FORMS OF ADDRESS * * * BLOG: Robert HIckey Answers Questions From On-Line Users * * * VIDEO of Robert Hickey * * * About the book: HONOR & RESPECT

Abbess, Christian Orthodox Abbot, Christian Orthodox Accountant Acting Official Adjutant General Admiral, Rear Alderman Archbishop, Catholic Archbishop, Christian Orthodox Archdeacon, Episcopal Archimandrite Architect Archpriest Ambassador to the U.S. from a foreign country Ambassador of the U.S. American Indian Chief Assemblyman U.S., State / or Assemblywoman Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice of a State Supreme Court Attorney Attorney General Attorney, U.S. Australian Officials Baron, Baroness British Officials, Royalty, Nobility Brother, Catholic Brother, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Catholic Bishop, Christian Orthodox Bishop, Episcopal Board Member Boy Brigadier General Canadian Officials Candidate Captain, USA, USAF, USMC Cardinal Chairman Federal Reserve Chaplain in the Armed Services Chaplain of Congress Chargé d’Affaires Chief Executive Officer Chief Judge Chief Justice, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice, of a State Supreme Court Chief of Police Chief of Staff Chief Operating Officer Child Clergy & Religious Officials Colonel, "Honorary" Kentucky, or other state/organization Colonel, USA, USAF, or USMC Congressman, U.S. Congresswoman, U.S. Consul and or Consul General Commissioner Corporate Executive Councilman Councilwoman Counselor (Diplomat) Countess Couples Curator Dalai Lama Deacon Dean, academic Dean, clergy Deceased Persons Delegate, U.S., State Dentist Deputy Chief of Mission Deputy Marshal Designate, Elect, Pro Tempore Diplomats District Attorney Doctor of Dentistry Doctor of Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Osteopathy Doctor, Other Disciplines Doctorate Doctorate, honorary Earl Elect, Designate Pro Tempore Eminence Etiquette Excellency Fiancee First, Second, Third_, etc._ First Lady, Spouse of the President of the United States First Lady, Member of Her White House Staff First Lady, Spouse of a Governor or Lt. Gov. First Lieutenant Flag Protocol Former Officials Freeholder Geshe General USA, USAF, USMC Girl Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Lt., Spouse Governor, Tribal Council Governor, U.S. State Governor, Former Governor Spouse of Governor's Staff, Member of Governors, Board of Honorable, The Honorary degrees Honourable, The Indian Chief Inspector General Introductions Invitations Writing & Addressing Invitations Military: Writing & Addressing Judge of US City or US Count Judge, US Federal Junior, Senior, I, II, III, etc. Justice, Associate Federal Supreme Court Justice, Associate State Supreme Court King Knight Late, The (deceased persons) Lawyer Lieutenant Lieutenant Colonel , USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant General, USA, USAF, USMC Lieutenant Governor Major USA, USAF, USMC Major General, USA, USAF, USMC Man, business Man, social Marquess or Marchioness Married Women Marshal for a Judicial District, U.S. Mayor of a U.S. City Medic Minister, Protestant Clergy Miss Monk, Christian Orthodox Monsignor Most Reverend, The Mother Superior Mr. (Social) Mr. (Business) Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. / Couples Ms. Name Tags Nobility, British Nobility, Other Nun, Catholic Nun, Orthodox Nurse Officer, Police Pastor, Christian Clergy Patriarch, Christian Orthodox Patriarch, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople People with Two Titles Petty Officer Physician PhD Place Cards Police Chief Police Officer Pope, Catholic Pope, Coptic Postmaster General Post-Nominal Abbreviations Presbyter, Orthodox President, corporate President of College or University President of a US State Assembly President (current) of the U.S.A. President (former) of the U.S.A. President of the U.S.A., spouse ofPresident-elect of the U.S. Priest, Catholic Priest, Christian Orthodox Prime Minister Professionals & Academics Professor Pro Tempore, Elect, Designate Queen Rabbi Ranger, Texas Representative, U.S., Federal Representative, U.S., State Resident Commissioner Retired Military1. Formula For How to Address 2. Q&A / Blog On Use of Rank by Retired Military 3. Q&A / Blog on How to Address Retired Military Reverend, The Right Reverend, The School Board Member Second Lieutenant Secretary, U.S. Department, Member of the Cabinet Secretary of Defense, U.S. Secretary General of the U.N. Senator, U.S., Federal Senator, U.S., State Senator, Canadian Senior, Junior, I, II, III, etc. Senior Judge Sergeant Sergeant at Arms Sheriff Sister, Catholic Solicitor General Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. Specialist Spouse of the President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Surgeon General Texas Ranger The Honorable Tribal Officials Two Titles, Person With US Attorney US Federal Officials US State Officials US Municipal Officials Venerable, The Veteran (not Retired) Veterinarian Very Reverend, The Vice President of the U.S. Spouse of the Vice President of the U.S. Vice President-elect of the U.S. Viscount and/or Viscountess Warrant Officer Widow White House Staff Woman, business Woman, social

How to Address Diplomats and International RepresentativesQuestions & Answers, Frequently Asked Questions, and BlogSite updated by Robert Hickey on October 28, 2011
How to Address an Ambassador and Her Husband? How to Address an Ambassador: Excellency or The Honorable? How to Address an Former Ambassador? Do I Address an Ambassador as "Your Excellency"? Do I Address a Charge d'Affaires? Do I Address a Counselor?
How To Address a Foreign National Official or a Nobility?Link to Q&A just on Foreign National Representatives and Nobility
How To Address a Chargé d’Affaires? On an invitation to a Chargé d’Affaires of an Embassy, is it proper to use the word HONORABLE before his/her name? Thank you. -- Laura Dear Laura: Are asking about an American chargé d’affaires? Among appointed US officials only those appointed by The President and approved by the Senate are addressed as The Honorable. At a US Embassy only the Ambassador is at that level ... so the only Ambassador is addressed as The Honorable (full name) , Ambassador of the United ... But normally that position at an American Embassy is called a deputy chief of mission. I give that form on page 230 of my book. If you are addressing a chargé d’affaires at a foreign embassy, they aren't addressed as "The Honorable" either. Americans address American ambassadors as "The Honorable" but address foreign ambassadors as "Your Excellency". Foreign chargés d’affaires are not addressed as "Your Excellency": they are "Mr./Ms".So, on page 229 I show the form of address for a charge d'affaires as: Mr./Ms. (full name) Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of ... Address Back to your invitation: If the invitation is being sent to the the person's residence (rather than the embassy), skip charge d'affaires and "Embassy of..." of course. My book includes how to address all types of diplomats ... US and foreign ... exactly because they are the topic of so many questions. -- Robert Hickey How a Should Non-US Citizen Address an American Ambassador ? I am writing an invitation letter to the ambassador of the United States to Japan. According to your book the ambassador should be addressed by US citizens as The Honorable John V. Roos. But I am not a U.S. citizen and I live in Japan. I will be writing to him in care of the US Embassy in Tokyo. Should I address him as The Honorable John V. Roos as the U.S. citizens do? Or should I address him as His Excellency John. V. Roos? ~ T. Suzuki Dear T. Suzuki: Using The Honorable would be honoring his tradition -- would be how a US citizen would address him -- and how he would expect to be addressed in the USA.. Using The Excellency will follow the international custom -- would be the most typical form of address by non-US citizens -- and how he would expect to be addressed outside the USA. Either is a correct form of address, but if you are located in Japan ... use Excellency. *-- Robert Hickey*
How to Address an Ambassador: Your Excellency or The Honorable?I see ambassador's names written as "The Honorable (full name)" and as "His Excellency (full name)". Which is correct? The ambassador who is coming is the French Ambassador. How should I write his name? _~ The Diva of Diplomats_Dear Diva: An ambassador of the United States is addressed by US citizens as: The Honorable (full name) The Ambassador of the United States of America (Address) An foreign ambassador to the United States is addressed by US citizens as: His/Her Excellency (full name) The Ambassador of (official name of country) (Address) So in this case, a French Ambassador in the United States would be addressed as: His Excellency (full name) The Ambassador of the French Republic (Address) -- Robert HickeyDo I Address an Ambassador as Your Excellency?Help! I have a meeting with a foreign ambassador tomorrow. I have written to him several times, so I know he's an "Excellency"? When we meet, do I say nice to meet you? or honored to meet you? Do I address him in person as Mr. Ambassador or Your Excellency? NO GUESSES PLEASE! I can't afford to make a fool of myself. Only answer if you are really sure. _~ Alex Mezo_Dear Mr. Mezo: Any of the replies to your introduction are fine. It's a pleasure to meet you is also good. In conversation call him Your Excellency or Mr. Ambassadoror even Ambassador (Surname). -- Robert HickeyHow to Address an Ambassador and Her Husband? What is the proper form of address for an American ambassador-at-large, who is a woman, and her husband? Is it: The Honorable Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe or The Honorable Jane Doe and Mr. Doe? Also, how about the salutation? Is it: Dear Ms. Doe and Mr. Doe or Dear Ms. and Mr. Doe? Is that covered in your book? Thanks! _-- AC in NYC_Dear GB: Yes, I have a chapter on joint forms of address. This combination is covered on page 145. The correct address would be: The Honorable Jane Doe and Mr. John Doe ... because men get their full names when their wives name is listed first due to her higher precedence. For a formal salutation use: Dear Madame Ambassador and Mr. Doe: Although using "ambassador" as the honorific would also be O.K.: Dear Ambassador Doe and Mr. Doe: -- Robert Hickey How to Address a Retired US Ambassador? How do I address (in a letter) an retired American Ambassador? _-- Carol Bentley in the United Kingdom_Dear Ms. Bentley: A retired US ambassador and a retired UK ambassador are addressed differently .... so I wish everyone tried as hard as you try to get everyone addressed correctly. A retired US ambassador is addressed on "the envelope" and in "the address block" of the letter as: The Honorable Carol Bentley (Address) And in the salutation or conversation he or she would be addressed as: Dear Ambassador Bentley, Use the American spelling of Honorable because it's considerate to present another person's name exactly as they are accustomed to seeing it. In the US we address anyone who was ever appointed to a position by The President and approved by The US Senate -OR- elected to pubic office by the citizens as "The Honorable" ... for life. It's a bit like in the UK once you are a member of the Privy Council you are The Right Honourable for life. Same situation. And ... ambassadors DO continue to use Ambassador as an honorific when they retire. -- Robert Hickey How to Address a Counselor (A Foreign Diplomat)? How should I address foreign diplomats who are not the ambassador – rather, they are in the ambassador’s office. Their positions are “Counselor, Deputy Chief of Mission” and “Counselor, Congressional Liaison Officer.” Thanks in advance for your assistance, -- EllenDear Ellen: Everyone at a foreign embassy .... except the ambassador .... is: Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Full Name) Embassy of (Official Name of Country) Address In a salutation they would be Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. (Surname): "Counselor" is not used as an honorific in writing for a diplomat. Include their office after their name in an introduction ... but not on an envelope. RE: Use of Mrs. or Ms.: Internationally "Ms." is not as ubiquitous as it is in the US, but a foreign diplomat serving in the US would be familiar with it. Only an accredited ambassador who has presented his credientials to the head of state or head of the international organization is addressed as "His/Her Excellency" or in direct address "Your Excellency" -- Robert Hickey
Not Finding Your Question Answered?Below are other topics covered in my blog. If you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply and if I think It would be of interest to others, I will post the question and the answer with all the names and personal specifics removed. -- Robert HickeyUSE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names Married Women Deceased Persons People with Two Titles Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials Joint Forms of Address (How to address a couple?) USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES Former Officials Professionals and Academics United States Federal Officials_, Currently In Office_ United States State Officials, Currently In Office _ _ United States Municipal Officials, Currently In Office All About *The Honorable* with U.S. Officials *Former* United States Officials of all types United States Armed Services, Active Duty Addressing Retired Personnel Use of Rank by Retired Personnel Use of Rank by Veterans Tribal Officials Clergy and Religious Officials Canadian Officials Australian Officials British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility Diplomats and International Representatives Foreign National Officials and Nobility SPECIFIC SITUATIONS Etiquette Flags: Traditions and Protocol Introductions Invitations: Writing & Addressing Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel Name Tags Names on Programs, Signs, & Lists Place Cards Precedence: Ordering Officials Thank You Notes Site updated by Robert Hickey on October 28, 2011 Back to Main Page of the Robert Hickey's BLOG Robert Hickey is the author of *Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address*_Published by The Protocol School of Washington®Foreword by Pamela Eyring_Copyright © 2011 Robert Hickey. All Rights Reserved.Book Photo: Marc Goodman.