The table below shows you how to address those with courtesy titles both verbally and in writing.
| Rule | Example | Dear... |
|---|---|---|
| Dukes, Marquesses or Earls hold other junior titles. By courtesy, one of those junior titles may be used by his Heir and a further junior title may be used in turn by the Heir's eldest son. |
Earl of Snowdon's Son - Viscount Linley |
Lord Linley |
| The younger children of a Duke or Marquess. | Lord or Lady forename and surname | Lord James |
| The daughters of Earls in their own right. | Prefix "Lady" | Lady Henrietta |
| The sons and daughters of Earls by courtesy and the children of Viscounts, Barons and Life Peers who have no courtesy title. | "The Honourable" forename and surname | Mr / Miss |
Please note:
- A Marquess by courtesy is not given the formal style of "The Most Honourable"
- A Baron by courtesy is not addressed as "The" before the dignity and consequently neither is his wife
- The use of courtesy titles is a complex subject. See "Debrett's Correct Form" for suggested further reading on this subject